From June 5 to 9, 2023, on the downtown Concordia University campus, we will be reflecting collectively on the multiple ways in which Indigenous youth are mobilizing and are being engaged. Youth, Indigenous partners and researchers will explore – through varied interactive spaces and mediums – these forms, issues and visions of the future. The topics covered will include, among others, engagement in community mobilization, culture, healing, protection of the land, art, intergenerational transmission, governance and research.

Together, participants will get the opportunity to learn, be inspired, network and become mobilized to better support the fulfillment and empowerment of Indigenous youth, through activities including panels, workshops, testimonials, discussions, artistic mediums and sharing of good practices.

The Summer Institute is open to university students and Indigenous youth interested by these issues as well as to the youth partners of the Youth Network Chair (YNC).

Note: The activities will be held in English and French. An on-site translation service will be offered.

The Summer Institute’s Objectives

Explore the multiple forms and visions of Indigenous youth engagement, in order to stimulate and enrich individual and collective reflections on the challenges, issues and ideal conditions of engagement.

Mobilize youth, students, researchers and community partners to create opportunities for discussion, sharing and networking on innovative initiatives.

Inspire to promote youth engagement across communities and organizations.

Course

The course is available for undergraduates (AHSC 498) and graduate level (AHSC 598). Students from other universities in Quebec can also apply via the BCI (Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire).

Student assessment:

• Journals 35%
• Presentation 30%
• Collective project 35%

Students enrolled in the credited course must participate throughout the week for all activities.

The course will be graded by a PASS or FAIL.

Applications

Due by May 14, 2023. Spaces are limited.

Schedule

Monday, June 5, 2023

• AM – Introduction and Opening: Youth Voices - Experiences of Engagement
• PM – Different Forms of Engagement
  • Panel 1 – Youth and Research
  • Panel 2 – Youth and Politics/Activism
  • Panel 3 – Youth and identities through engagement

Preview of the Program

• Welcoming and Opening by Ka'nahsóhon Kevin Deer.
• Dialogue of Cooperation workshop with Karine Awashish and Gabrielle Vachon-Laurent.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

• AM – Conversations and Intergenerational Exchanges
• PM – Living Lab - Living Engagement: Interactive Activities and Innovative Practices

Preview of the Program

• Kahnawà:ke youth climate collective Iakwatohontsanónsta’ts “We are safeguarding the Earth”.
• Indigenous Healing Knowledges workshop with Catherine Richardson, Donny Riki, Juliet Mackie.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

• AM - Researchers and Indigenous Youth in Dialogue: Land (access, belonging) and culture
• PM – Researchers and Indigenous Youth in Dialogue: Healing and Art
  • Exhibition of Initiatives and Forms of Youth Engagement

Preview of the Program

• Panel on the Narrative Sovereignty of Youth Through Films with Véronique Rankin & Mailys Flamand (Wapikoni) and Michelle Smith & Pasha Partridge (FPPSE).
• Sharing Circle: Intergenerational transmission of languages.

Thursday, June 8, 2023

• AM – Learning Lab: The Many Faces of Indigenous Youth Engagement
• PM – Peer support: Community Care

Preview of the Program

• Outing on the land: Iontionhnhéhkwen Wilderness Skills

Friday, June 9, 2023

• AM – Talking Circle, Presentations and Closing

Preview of the Program

• Art & Beading Circle: Engagement through art

Contact

For any questions about course registration or to register without the credit option, please contact Véronique Picard at crj.autochtones@concordia.ca.

For questions about the summer school, please contact Carole Bérubé-Therrien at crjprojet@concordia.ca.

Partners

• Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec
• Concordia University Office of Community Engagement
• Indigenous Futures Research Centre