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

“I am involved with Mikana as an Ambassador because I really want to share all the knowledge that was transmitted to me when I travelled to different Nations. It is also to be part of a popular education process, so that the general population can become more aware of indigenous realities and our common history.”
“I am involved with Mikana as an Ambassador because I really want to share all the knowledge that was transmitted to me when I travelled to different Nations. It is also to be part of a popular education process, so that the general population can become more aware of indigenous realities and our common history.”
"Mikana gave me the opportunity to meet like-minded young people. I feel accepted and understood in my points of view, and I’m lucky to have a great circle of support through my engagement with Mikana. What’s more, my knowledge is constantly valued."
"Mikana gave me the opportunity to meet like-minded young people. I feel accepted and understood in my points of view, and I’m lucky to have a great circle of support through my engagement with Mikana. What’s more, my knowledge is constantly valued."

Together, let’s make change happen!

Participate in our program and contribute to the empowerment of Indigenous youth.

Decolonizing minds.
Redefining our path together.

Mikana

P.O. BOX 567
Place d’Armes branch
Montréal/Tiohtiake (Québec)
H2Y 3H3

info@mikana.ca

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