Indigenous Strategy
We are committed to being more visible and intentional in our work with Indigenous communities and in our efforts to support action on the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the core of this Indigenous Strategy, the Foundation’s efforts will:
• Invest in young people and youth-driven groups within an intergenerational framework
• Support cross-cultural learning and understanding of how racism and colonization continues to shape
Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships
• Commit long-term by carrying the strategy into our next strategic plan
• Be guided by Indigenous priorities and informed by Indigenous communities
Funding Approach: Embedded and Intentional
We invest in Indigenous youth-led groups to take action on issues they are passionate about and will continue to take an embedded approach to funding by ensuring that across our funding streams, Indigenous youth-led groups are represented.
In addition, we are launching an intentional, dedicated funding stream focused on supporting Indigenous youth with land, language, and culture, and to support the transmission of cultural practices to future generations in order to promote nation building, decolonization, and reconciliation.
Guiding Us
To ground and guide this work, we are so fortunate to be working with an Indigenous Advisory Committee to inform our operations, knowledge building and funding strategies.
Meet our Advisors:
Carissa Coe
Carissa is an urban Inuk, born and raised in Ottawa. Her family originates from Nain, Nunatsiavut and she has been a part of the Ottawa Inuit community her whole life. As a child, Carissa attended Inuuqatigiit, formerly known as the Ottawa Inuit Children Centre. As an adult, she has worked with Inuuqatigiit running cultural programs for Inuit youth living in Ottawa ages 13-25. These programs are meant to support the cultural development of Inuit youth living outside of Inuit Nunangat. They include working with sealskin, fox fur, beading, sewing, learning about cultural values and beliefs, connecting with Elders and knowledge keepers, Inuktitut language development, and implementing traditional Inuit knowledge any way possible in an urban setting. Currently, she is a full-time student at Carleton University and stays connected to the community whenever possible.
ALISON SEYMOUR
Alison Seymour’s mother is Bear Clan from Wiikwemkoong and her father is Wolf Clan from Akwesasne, she is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne and an avid fisherman. The biggest fish Alison has caught was a bass although she aspires to hook a pike and a muskie. She grew up playing competitive soccer, even attending The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2014 and 2017. Currently she’s completing the final year of her undergraduate at Carleton University for the Canadian Studies program while working part-time for the Federal Government in the Labour Department on the Workplace Equity Division (WED). Alison is proud of her Indigenous ancestry and always keeps the family close.
Chevaun Toulouse
Chevaun Toulouse nindizhinikaaz. Sagamok First Nation nindonjibaa. Ginoozhe nindoodem. Anishinaabe kwe ndow. My name is Chevaun Toulouse; I am a mother and a full-time biology and Indigenous environmental science student at Trent University. I am from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation.
Growing up on Sagamok Anishnawbek gave Chevaun an interest in and respect for the environment, as most of her youth was spent trying to catch turtles and snakes in the swamp. In the Fall of 2016, Chevaun began working for Turtle Island Conservation at The Toronto Zoo as a Project Lead- First Nation Conservation Technician. Chevaun assisted with the implementation of the Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Island Conservation program (TIC) with Adopt-A-Pond’s Blanding’s turtle Head starting and Reintroduction project in the Rouge Urban National Park.
Chevaun worked for The Magnetawan First Nation Lands, Resources and Environment Department as the Lead Species at Risk Field Technician and Cultural Coordinator. Chevaun conducted daily road and habitat surveys, rattlesnake gestation surveys, identified, captured, and collected morphometric and spatial data on turtles, lizards, and snakes. Chevaun recorded daily logs, managed data, created and delivered outreach and education to the community and surrounding area. Chevaun radio-tracked species at risk to better understand their spatial use of the landscape, so this data can be used to inform land-use and development, which includes the 4-laning of Ontario Hwy 69.
Chevaun recently held the position of researcher for an incredible TV series just released called Great Lakes Untamed. Bringing an Indigenous scientific perspective to this project was important to Cheavun while also highlighting the current struggles the Great Lakes face. There is an associated Biinaagami educational campaign which has involved many Indigenous people, and which aims to make sure that the wider community involves First Nations in the decision making about the Great Lakes. It is planned that this will go out to 25,000 teachers in Canada.
Upon graduation Chevaun is hoping to work as a Species at risk biologist for her community so she can develop and implement conservation strategies while also developing cultural/land-based outreach materials/resources for First Nation communities.
Eternity Sutherland
Boozhoo aani Eternity Neekan nitishnikaas. mishkeegogamaang first nation treaty 9 nintoncii. mikinak nindodem. Hello, I am Eternity Neekan. I am from the Mishkeegogamaang First Nation treaty 9 area and I’m apart of the snapping turtle clan.
Eternity is 18 years old and currently goes to Superior CVI in Thunder Bay ON. Eternity hobbies include spending time with her cat and drawing.
Jadyn Hardie-Bardy
Jadyn “machiinegunfunkk” Hardie-Bardy, is a queer Mohawk and Jamaican poet, beader and youth advocate living in Tkaronto. Her work explores culture and land reconnection, destigmatizing monoliths and overcoming socioeconomic adversity faced while navigating colonial institutions.
In Fall of 2020 Jadyn virtually took over the Roots Lounge stage in participation with Josh Watkis’, Filter Through Skin, officially making her debut spoken word performance. Additionally in 2021 Jadyn’s poetry was featured in Poetry Inprint’s In The Streets Project, reflecting on public safety. Jadyn was featured at La Raza’s open mic courtesy of Spin El Poeta as well as Central Neighbourhood Housing’s National Day of Rememberance & Action to Stop Violence Against Women event as a spoken word artist in 2021. In 2022 Jadyn guest spoke at YAIJ's Youth Advocacy summit, showcasing her poetry and selling her beaded jewellery.
In March of 2022 Jadyn self published her first poetry book entitled, i am a wandering spirit. The contents are based around her experiences in life as a Jamaican and Indigenous women living in and navigating the city, cultural connections and healing.
Look out for Jadyn in the months of February and March as her artwork is displayed throughout the TTC, her collaborative legal arts campaign is released and her arts workshops continue to run across the city!
JOEL JOCKO
Joel Jocko is a member of the Akwesasne Mohawk First Nation and currently resides in the greater capital area of Ottawa. At 27 years old, Joel holds an Honors Bachelor of Health Science Degree from the University of Ottawa.
Joel boasts over two years of experience as an Indigenous Research and Survey Analyst at the First Nation Information Governance Centre (FNIGC). His expertise extends to governance, health, and language conferences, where he has actively participated. Joel has also demonstrated his skills in overseeing project development, particularly in the areas of workshops, grant writing, and other support initiatives for the Indigenous-owned organization known as Small Feather Empire.
Joel is deeply passionate about promoting reconciliation and is dedicated to contributing valuable knowledge to the youth sector.
