Gathering and empowering Indigenous youth
The Ambassadors Program
This program aims to bring together and offer tools to Indigenous youth who wish to actively engage in building bridges between Indigenous and non-indigenous people. Coming from different nations, with different identities, knowledge and experiences, these youths want to bring about systemic change through education and dialogue.
Our “circle of support” approach values and supports each individual’s experience. Mikana welcomes the complex experiences associated with the awareness-raising role, opening a dialogue with ambassadors to find solutions and strengthen communication skills.
Mikana’s activities cover a wide variety of themes. The content and topics of each activity can be modified by the Ambassadors in charge. All this, with the aim of restoring the narrative sovereignty of Indigenous youths, who become the experts in the content they share.
Mikana’s ambassador program aims to develop the following skills:
Self-esteem and self-worth
Ability to strengthen one’s self-esteem by feeling valued in the affirmation of one’s personal experience and knowledge related to the lived realities of Indigenous Nations and Communities
Leadership
Ability to develop leadership skills.
Societal impact
The feeling and ability to influence or have an impact in bringing about change in society.
Multidisciplinary knowledge
Ability to gain more knowledge on various topics including history, sociology, communication and the use of virtual tools.
Network development
Ability to build and strengthen a network of people sharing a common history.
Public speaking
Ability to improve public speaking skills and share ideas with confidence.
Get to know
The Ambassadors
Mélanie Brière
Wolastoqey
Mélanie Brière
(elle/she/her)
With Mikana since:
2017
Topics of interest:
Collaborations, Arts and Culture.
Ariane Desjardins
Wolastoqey
Ariane Desjardins
(elle/she/her)
With Mikana since:
2020
Topics of interest:
Education, History, Unconscious bias, Research, Tourism.
Catherine Desjardins
Wolastoqey
Catherine Desjardins
(elle/she/her)
With Mikana since:
2017
Topics of interest:
Open to all topics.
Kahsennòktha
Kanien’kehà:ka
Kahsennòktha
(elle/she)
Chez Mikana depuis:
2020
Sujets d’intérêts:
Biais inconscients, Reconnaissance territoriale, Enjeux féminins.
Kassandra Laviolette
Kanien’kehà:ka
Kassandra Laviolette
(elle/she)
With Mikana since:
2022
Topics of interest:
Open to all topics.
Iakohahà:wis
Kanien’kehà:ka
Iakohahà:wis
(elle/she)
With Mikana since:
2021
Topics of interest:
Language revitalization, Indigenization, Decolonization of public institutions, Children’s language acquisition.
Alexandre Nequado
Atikamekw
Alexandre Nequado
(il/he)
With Mikana since:
2019
Topics of interest:
Cultural safety, Languages, Urban life, Indigenous realities, History.
Gilbert Niquay
Atikamekw
Gilbert Niquay
(il/he)
With Mikana since:
2019
Topics of interest:
Environment, Territory, Indian Act.
Béatrice Noël
Wendat
Béatrice Noël
(elle/she)
With Mikana since:
2022
Topics of interest:
Decolonization, Arts and culture, Entrepreneurship.
Alexandrine Picard-Racine
Wendat
Alexandrine Picard-Racine
(elle/she)
With Mikana since:
2022
Topics of interest:
Arts and culture, Women’s issues, Decolonization.
Samuel Rainville
Innu
Samuel Rainville
(il/him)
With Mikana since:
2020
Topics of interest:
Environment, Education, Communication.
Carling Sioui
Wendat
Carling Sioui
(elle/iel/il, she/they/he)
With Mikana since:
2022
Topics of interest:
Territorial relations, Justice, Academic research.
Olivia Lya Tomassie
Inuk
Olivia Lya Tomassie
(elle/she)
With Mikana since:
2022
Topics of interest:
Arts and culture, Elders.
Kijâtai-Alexandra Veillette-Cheezo
Anishinaabe
Kijâtai-Alexandra Veillette-Cheezo
(elle/iel, she/they)
With Mikana since:
2019
Topics of interest:
Media representation, Two-spirit realities.
Mikana’s ambassadors’s testimonials
Together, let’s make change happen!
