Short Summary

We are a group of youth in Kingston, Ontario and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory from all different backgrounds, including First Nations and Métis youth. Our campaign is to raise money for youth from Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah, (part of the Yellowknives First Nation) and Inuvik in the Northwest Territories to come down to Kingston for a 'once in a lifetime opportunity'.  This is important to us as it allows us to travel with, learn from and share with youth from the north.  This experience will help give the youth the full experience of our history of our communities.   We will have already visited their communities (March 23 - 30), and together we are learning about different cultures, a more true history of Canada than we are sometimes told about and how to celebrate our differences - and similarities.  We want to honour the youth from the north and all they can share with us during National Youth Week while they will be in Kingston.  We hope not just Kingston, but Canada stands beside us all, from the north and south, as we role model what reconciliation can be like - and what a new future looks like when relationships are built.

What We Need & What You Get

Break it down for folks in more detail:

• We need $19,400 in total - which seems like a lot - but it takes quite a bit to move, feed and share with almost fifty youth, allies and Elders.  
• We need $4200 for buses, $7140 for meals, $3700 for activities and $4000 for
  
• Check out the awesome Perks we have up for grabs - including photo books of the pictures of our activities up North in March and while the youth are in Eastern Ontario in May, social media shout outs, the chance to speak at our big National Youth Week Feast and everyone who gives will join our YOU MATTER WALL! 
  
• We know not every campaign reaches it's goals - so we have parents, community members and ourselves taking on other fundraising challenges, such as a city-wide indoor garage sale, flower sales and other activities so we are all involved together in making this happen!
  
• If we raise more than we need - it will first go to providing some more SWAG to the youth when they arrive and any additional will be donated to Kingston Community Health Centre Pathways to Education, one of the partners of this project.
  

The Impact

Your contribution will help a new generation create a new future between the relationships of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada. 

• Between Three Things Consulting, KCHC Pathways to Education and many of the youth involved in this project we have been connecting cultures, building knowledge and new relationships amongst youth for many years.  Supported by local Indigenous Elders and the community at large this project is based on our experience, expertise and commitment to creating space for change to take place.
  
• At the core of so many issues facing Indigenous people in Canada, racism is often the root of the story and sadly, a part of our history  By introducing non Indigenous youth to the teachings, culture and history of their Indigenous peers - we are helping create a new future - your support will help pave the way to new relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
  
• The youth are excited and mobilized - the adult allies are standing alongside them, the Elders are guiding our path.  You and your support today will help light that path for us. 
  

Risks & Challenges

Relationships for anyone can be a challenge.  Some youth are shy, quiet, nervous and anxious about meeting new people, doing new things and trying something that scares them.  Heck, so are many adults.  This group has been meeting since December 2014 every two weeks to overcome these challenges.  Just this week (March 23rd) many of these young people overcame their fear of flying, got on a plane and are now connecting and making friends with the youth in Yellowknife.  Their preparation has done them well - as within an hour youth from all backgrounds were engaging, connecting and laughing.  

Other Ways You Can Help

We value any and all support we can get from the community and beyond! While we are working hard to spread the word about this upcoming adventure, we always welcome a share, a like or a tweet about our campaign to spread the word even further.

You can always:

Use the Indiegogo share tools that are available on the left hand side that allow you to share our campaign page over Facebook, Google + or Twitter and feel free to click follow so you can share in our journey!

We welcome you to also check us out on social media!

On Facebook:

North and South: Connecting Youth Cultures

On Twitter:

Pathways Kingston 

Three Things Consulting

Or give us a call at:

Pathways to Education Kingston 613-507-7107

Three Things Consulting 613-484-5721