Seventh Fires Youth Group

Still in its early stages, the Seventh Fires Youth Group, founded by Paige Jackson (age 16) and Aaron Saulteaux (age 18), was formed to help Indigenous youth from their community and surrounding areas to feel a sense of belonging and to connect them to their Indigenous roots through cultural teachings and events. This project consists of education programs, workshops and events designed to best help Indigenous youth to have a voice and inform them of issues facing Indigenous people and their cultural traditions (such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, clean drinking water crisis on reserves, Indigenous mental health crisis, the deteriorating climate globally and more). In addition to the programs, workshops and events, the funds for this project will help the group to expand and reach more Indigenous youth. It will also provide young Indigenous people with leadership opportunities within the group and within their communities, with the help of adult allies as mentors.