Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project

10/15/2026

10/08/2026

On October 6th, 2026 we gathered for the Nonprofit Driven Regional Connects: Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma! The event had thirty unique nonprofits from Sault Ste Marie, and Algoma in attendance, with over 50 people in attendance. The event was held at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig - Centre of Excellence In Anishinaabe Education.
The event was partnered with Ontario Nonprofit Network(ONN), Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project (OIYPP), the Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste Marie, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig(SKG), and the United Way of Sault Ste Marie.
The event was opened in a good way by Cathie Syrette, the Executive Director of the Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste Marie. Welcome remarks from the special venue, Mary Wabano-McKay of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, shared impactful words about Anishinaabe History and the creation of SKG.

Erin Kang, Danielle Griffin, and Candice Zhang of the Ontario Nonprofit Network traveled to Bawating bringing a wonderful presentation on Reimagining Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector. The event was catered by Irene’s.
Tawny Daigle of Dibaajimo (Indigenous Media Company) presented at lunch and was the vendor for a variety of Oshikco gifts provided by OIYPP. An Anishinaabe Kwe creative professional with experience in Digital Media and Marketing.Tawny Graduated from Sault College and Toronto Film school with a background in Video Game Animation, familiar with tools such as Adobe Suite, Clip Studio, Blender, Unreal Engine and more.She has entrepreneurial experience running the brand Oshkico, creating illustrations, designs, developing products, marketing, and e-commerce. She is also the Animation Director for Planet Nova, an Ojibwe cartoon celebrating indigenous culture, mythology, and language revitalization (a previous recipient of the OIYPP Makakikedaa Fund).
Desiree Gravel of Algoma Community Foundation presented the Good Neighbour Training with Impactful remarks around homelessness in Sault Ste Marie, gathered from a study in late 2025 of the community from Ian De Jong.

Miigwetch to all who attended and helped make it happen! 🙏💐

09/30/2026

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation🧡

Orange Shirt day is time we take to reflect and remember all those impacted by the harmful effects of Residential schools. We remember all of relatives that were taken from and removed from their families, identity, and ways of life. As indigenous people we must continue to move forward just as our people have always done by being connected to the land, the water, and all of the goodness that Shkagamik kwe(Mother Earth) has to offer.

Remember that this day can bring many mixed emotions for our relatives. We all can be in different stages of healing journey. It is most important that we continue to be kind and check in with one another. Together we are strong and will always be RESILIENT. ✊🏽🪶🧡

09/25/2026

We are celebrating new milestones in 2026 we would not be able to do without the respect, care and financial investment of our partners. Special recognition is necessary for the people who represent the funders below. Their personal relationship building and support along the way will forever be remembered. Thank you for the many phone calls, digital facetime, in person visits, texts, emails and hours of story sharing. We’re proud to walk alongside you. If you’ve partnered with us and you’re reading this, know that you are more than funders to our team, you are our friends.

Chii-Miigwetch to 🫶🏾🙏

All One Fund
McConnell Foundation
MLSE Foundation
Peter Gilgan Foundation
Sprott Foundation
Toronto Foundation
Waitzer Family Fund

09/25/2026

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Partnered Projects! 🧺

We are so proud to celebrate this incredible group of Indigenous youth-led projects, including leaders, Elders, artists, knowledge keepers, and community members who are bringing meaningful ideas to life across Ontario.🌱

From cultural revitalization and land-based learning to youth empowerment, wellness, healing, sport, food sovereignty, language, arts, and community connection; each project represents the strength, creativity, resilience, and spirit of the communities behind it. 🌸

A huge congratulations to all of the 2026 Partnered Projects! Your dedication, vision, and commitment to your communities are helping create spaces for connection, learning, healing, culture, and growth.
🌱

We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish. Miigwetch and congratulations for the work you are doing in your communities!👏🏽

09/24/2026

In 2026 we received 41 Applications to the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project Makakikedaa Fund.

We are proud to say that this year we supported:
39 Indigenous-led projects across Ontario
A 77% increase in funded projects from last year
$195,000 in funding administered
A 68% increase in funding to community

Your leadership, vision, and commitment to community continue to inspire us.

09/14/2026

Event Name:
Nonprofit Driven Regional Connects: Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma

Event Location: Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig,
Centre of Excellence In Anishinaabe Education🦅

Day and time: OCTOBER 6th 2026 9AM-3PM

Cost: $103.80 (Includes Breakfast and Lunch)

Partnered with: Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste Marie, Shingwaulk Kinoomaage Gamig, United Way Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project, and Ontario Non-Profit Network. 🧡

Dear Bawating community,

Please join us for Nonprofit Driven Regional Connects: Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma! Nonprofit Driven Regional Connects are small gatherings with big impacts. This is an opportunity for nonprofits, charities, and community organizations across the region to share space and ideas for our collective well-being, explore systemic solutions locally, and break bread together.

Our sector continues to be intentionally under-resourced and privatized, is experiencing growing legal attacks from the community for doing its critical work, and grapples with increased scrutiny and eroding public trust. To combat the current climate of deep polarization, we must invest in building relationships to help our sector and communities thrive. Getting together in community is an ongoing exercise in movement-building, and actively shaping the future together.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/nonprofit-driven-regional-connects-sault-ste-marie-algoma-tickets-1992831182713

09/14/2026

Chi-Miigwetch to everyone who came together for the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project’s Annual Makakikedaa Gathering, held September 1st–3rd, 2026, at the Ecology Retreat Centre in Mono, Ontario. 🧺
For three days, we gathered in good company to celebrate, share, learn, laugh, build relationships, and honour the work of Indigenous youth and their communities across Ontario. Together, we made forever memories!

To our Project Leaders, thank you for bringing your energy, ideas, leadership, and love for community to this gathering. The work you do matters.

To our Elders, Carol Hermiston and Thomas Kakapshe, Chi-Miigwetch for your presence, guidance, teachings, and knowledge shared with us.

To our facilitators and Basket Weaving Knowledge Keepers, Ashley and Noodin Shawanda, thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping us connect with the teachings of the basket. We’re especially happy that everyone went home with a basket!

Chi-Miigwetch to the Ecology Retreat Centre for welcoming us and for the special care you continue to show Indigenous youth, and to our caterers for keeping us nourished with delicious meals.

A heartfelt Miigwetch to MLSE, Anna and Stephan, for joining us, supporting us, and believing in what’s possible for Indigenous youth. Your sponsorship, planning, and support helped bring dreams into reality.

To Mahihkan Studio (a funded Project) and Taylor Jolin (a YAC member), thank you for helping us hold onto these moments through photography and video. These memories will continue to live on.

To our volunteers and the families who support each participant, Chi-Miigwetch. We are grateful for all the care, time, love, and support that happens behind the scenes to make gatherings like this possible.

Together, we celebrated community, connection, and the incredible work of Indigenous youth across Ontario. 💙🧺

07/24/2026

🧑🏽‍🌾🌱Busy in the wetlands! 🌱🧑🏽‍🌾 picking and harvesting materials needed for a busy winter of crafting. We picked and harvested Naakaankshkoon(bulrush). This reed will be used to create mats and other fibre related items! We acknowledged and show our gratitude to all our teachers that have come before us and those that will continue to do this work! Mii’iw!💫🌅

07/17/2026

OIYPP just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge those who have lost their homes, their communities, their pets, or everything they owned due to the wildfires. Our hearts and prayers are with everyone during this incredibly difficult time!
Sending love, strength and hope to every community! 🧡🍓