youth empowerment Stream impact report 2024
executive summary
The Youth Empowerment Stream 2024 distributed a total of $84,000 to 17 Indigenous youth-led projects and initiatives. Creation received 41 proposals from 9 Provinces and Territories, representing a funding request of $201,765.
Projects funded through the Youth Empowerment Stream 2024 focused on creating opportunities for Indigenous youth to deepen their connections to culture, develop their leadership capacity, and build a stronger sense of community. Grantees reported that grant funding primarily supported them in enhancing their overall programming, making their programs more accessible and enabling them to foster safe and inclusive spaces. Seeing youth actively participating in their programming and excited to engage with each other and with their cultures made grantees feel like their projects were a success. Youth leaders also shared that the stronger connections to culture and community fostered as part of their projects contributed to a stronger sense of belonging for their participants, and that they saw increased youth engagement in other community initiatives as a result. Grantee projects also provide opportunities for youth participants to grow their leadership skills, gain cultural and traditional knowledge, and learn specialized skills like art, videography, and woodworking. Youth leaders, meanwhile, strengthened their leadership capacity, developing skills that would support them in overcoming the challenges that emerged while implementing their projects. In the end, grantees in the Youth Empowerment Stream saw success in deepening connections to culture, strengthening community ties, relationship-building, and fostering a sense of belonging. As a result, grantees also reported an increase in overall youth empowerment, youth leadership, and youth engagement.
Report Cover Photos: Indigenous Deaf of Canada Committee
Quantitive Results
Youth Empowerment Stream
2024 Evaluation Reports
$84,000 distributed In Funding
30% of funding
Supported Rural & Remote Community Projects
12% of funding
Located in the Atlantic
% Stream Funding Amount by Province
Quantitive Results
Stream Funding Amount by Budget Item Category
*Percentages based on the 14 groups that completed their final reports. Three grantee did not complete this section.
40%
Funds Used for All Honoraria
25%
Funding Used for Project Supplies & Activities
14%
Funding Used for Food & Project Activiries
Top 5 themes activity session
*Percentages based on the 14 groups that completed their final reports. Three grantees did not complete this section.
23%
of all grantees ran Arts-Based activities of all activities prioritized learning an Indigenous language 50%
“
This project gave us a space to connect—to culture, to the land, and to each other.
Learning from Elders, speaking SENCOTEN'num and Hul'qumi, and working on the Native Plant Garden showed us how important it is to practice our culture. It made us feel proud of who we are and where we come from.
–Elizabeth
Goddu
“
Volleyball Futures wasn't just about playing volleyball; it was about connecting to our roots and each other in a way that felt both empowering and inclusive. Every spike, serve, and set was a step towards not only better health but also a stronger community bond. This project showed us that sports can be a powerful platform for cultural expression and personal growth.
–Caleb Dupras
Manitoba Indigenous Volleyball Engagement Initiative
advice from grantees
“One piece of advice we would give to other youth is to embrace the power of connection—connection to culture, community, and the land. We also learned that stepping outside of our comfort zones—whether by trying a new activity, learning traditional knowledge, or taking on a leadership role—can be challenging at first, but it leads to incredible personal growth. The most meaningful experiences often come from pushing ourselves to learn, listen, and engage fully.”
Advice from Youth Empowerment Stream 2024 Grantee
“Just start. You can plan as much as possible, but real learning happens through doing. You won’t know every challenge or outcome until you begin. Accountability is also key—being reliable and following through builds trust with the community. Be open to feedback and willing to adapt when people express their needs. Flexibility and responsiveness make a project stronger and more meaningful.
Advice from Youth Empowerment Stream 2024 Grantee
shawna@indigenousyouthroots.ca
