HIP (Honouring Indigenous People) third National Youth to Youth program - April 27 to May 3, 2025 

Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) continues to celebrate the success of the 2024 National Youth to Youth program in British Columbia.  Our District Conference featured two, full breakout sessions highlighting the students and their experience.  Many clubs have hosted the students and delighted in their stories.  Listen to their excitement on this wonderful video;  https://youtu.be/az5i0E-xtHM .  See how participants, this year, made new friends, learned first-hand the experience of the elders and enjoyed hands-on opportunities for weaving, dancing and drumming.  Returning, they feel a new sense of empowerment and talk about their roles as future leaders..

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HIP has just celebrated our tenth anniversary with a vision of the next ten years that expands the scope and reach of our programs.   We are pleased to announce that we have long term funding commitments and we can now make the National Y2Y program an annual event.   Planning has begun for programs in Ontario in 2026 and Alberta in 2027.  Interest in the Y2Y program in the United States is encouraging expanding 2026 Y2Y program in Ontario to be the first international event.   The Y2Y Program creates impacts that spread from Rotary Clubs and the youth to their schools and community as they bring home messages about new friends, sharing, truth and reconciliation, stewardship of the environment, and the interrelated nature of our world.   

Next year students from across Ontario will experience a life-changing week in Nova Scotia. Over five wonderful days at Acadia University and on the traditional lands of the Annapolis First Nation, they will learn local history, culture and lifestyles from prominent elders.  

Here are the key details;

• Applications open September 16, close December 20. Application forms will be available on https://honouringindigenouspeoples.com/youth-to-youth/

• The program;

  • will run from April 27 to May 3, 2025 at Acadia University, Wolfville Nova Scotia, on the traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq people.

  • will be led by indigenous elders and knowledge keepers, including Phyliss Webstad, the creator of Orange Shirt Day and an inspiration at the 2024 Y2YN

  • Is completely free covering all expenses, travel, accommodations and meals.

  • Has limited spots: 50 youth participants, 25 Indigenous and 25 non-Indigenous, aged between 15 and 17

  • Inclusive: Y2Y welcomes youth, in Grades 9 to 11, all genders and those with disabilities

  • January 15^th & 16^th, Youth notified of acceptance into the program.