About us

MISSION

Mikana, which means path in the Anishinabe language, is an Indigenous non-profit organization whose mission is to work towards social change by educating different audiences on the realities and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.

This initiative stems from a desire to generate concrete action against racism and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples and contributes to breaking down the barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds.

We acknowledge that Mikana’s office is located in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, on unceded Indigenous territory, and we acknowledge the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation as the custodian of the lands and waters on which we find ourselves.

VISION

We believe in education’s transformative power, raising awareness, establishing structured partnerships, and nurturing dialogue for harmonious cohabitation and mutual social understanding. We dream of an egalitarian society where racism, discrimination, and ignorance are things of the past. A society where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people work together, as equals.

VALUES

Mikana aims to foster engagement in youth and to give them the ability to act and transform.

Mikana works to decolonize minds by creating educational and sharing spaces, promoting solidarity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Mikana provides a safe space for Ambassadors and participants and works with consideration within various communities.

History

Mélanie Lumsden and Widia Larivière met in 2007 at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) through their involvement in its Indigenous students association. Both of them being born from an Indigenous and a non-Indigenous parent, they witnessed firsthand the existing gap between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds. Seeking to contribute to bridging this gap, the pair began a series of collaborations within Indigenous and ally organizations, speaking engagements at various events focusing on awareness of Indigenous realities, and more broadly, taking action for social change and justice.

The participation of both co-founders in a social entrepreneurship program offered by l’Esplanade was Mikana’s defining moment. Widia and Mélanie were selected to be part of this accelerator for social impact entrepreneurs and participated in the À go, on change le monde! start-up program. They also co- directed an educational Indigenous short film called Où sont tes plumes? in collaboration with Wapikoni Mobile, which helped launch the organization and implement its activities.

Founded in 2015, Mikana is the result of several years of consideration and vested involvement on both their parts.

Publications, rapports annuels et états financiers

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Special thanks

A special thank to Véronioque Picard for the digital illustration on the banner of our website’s homepage.

Many thanks to the individuals and organizations who donated their time, expertise, support and resources at different stages of the organization’s developement:

Agnès Lorgueilleux – Alexandre Dufour Robertson – Basile Groussin – Centre des organismes communautaires – Charles-Emmanuel Joyal – Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse – Dominique Charron – Emilie Monnet – Femmes Autochtones du Québec – Hélène Gingras – Jann Derrick – Juniper Glass – Justine Provost – Khadiatou Sarr – Laurent Lévesque – Molotov Communications – Myriam Zaidi – Nancy Neamtan – Nessa Ghassemi – Lydia Tetyczka – Philippe Boucher – Rim Mohsen