At youthLEADarts we are honoured and blessed to work side by side with Indigenous Elders, Story Keepers and artists from many nations across Turtle Island and to have the support of the Vancouver School Board’s Indigenous Education Department.
We are proud to share teachings from coast to coast, from Mi’kmaq territory to Coast Salish Territory. Over the years youth have learned about the Four Directions, of living in balance with the Medicine Wheel, of the Five Teachings of Water and of how we are both connected to our ancestors and responsible for seven generations to come. They wove ceremonial headbands for graduation, became ‘art-ivists’ with their whale doodles, made personal medicine bags and healing jars filled with scents and objects used in ceremony.
We thank our Indigenous artists and Elders for inviting us into their circle and for helping us to uplift and celebrate the voices of Indigenous peoples as an integral part of our programming. We are in process and we are grateful for your LEADership in the direction of ‘reconcili-action’.
Nk’xetko (Ntle’kepmx Nation) and her husband Wayne (Musqueam Nation) have visited as elders and shared stories of resilience, drummed and danced with us and encouraged us to walk the good road. Jerry Whitehead (Cree Nation) designed and painted a mural with us that hangs at Britannia Elementary today. Each youth contributed an original symbol that represented them and an image of the LEAD value that resonated with them.
Elder Amanda White (Haida Nation), retired Indigenous Education Knowledge Keeper, Vancouver School Board and residential school survivor advocated for programs and impacted each youth with her gentle wisdom and guidance. She noted, “YouthLEADarts gives youth a sense of worth and purpose.”
Candice Halls Howcroft (Squamish Nation) has shared her family’s stories in connection to the orcas, drummed, sang and has created art with youth across the nation both in person and via zoom. She begins and ends each session with ceremony. After working with Candice students were asked to express in one word what they were taking away. Confidence, gratitude, knowledge, unity, culture, happiness, connection, friendship, healing and respect are but a few of the words they chose.
David Lyle, a renowned actor currently living in Coast Salish Territory, has brought spectacular photography, videography acting and spoken word to programs.
Shelley MacDonald (Mi’kmaq and Scottish ancestry), one of our founding members and artists volunteers tirelessly to bring leadership programs to rural communities and has been developing the National LEADership Program for youth who have aged out of the program to provide them with job experience and opportunities.
On this, National Indigenous Peoples Day, and every day, the youthLEADarts Team and the youth we serve thank you for your gifts, for the good medicine you share and for your commitment to youth across Turtle Island.