2023 INDIGENOUS & BLACK YOUTH FUND PROJECTS
Dear Community,
Can you imagine that we have successfully wrapped up our third funding cycle? It’s been an inspiring funding cycle and we are excited to share with you the remarkable projects that we’ve funded!
Black and Indigenous youth continue to lead the way in creating capacities for thriving and experiencing joy within their communities and we are honored to support these initiatives. Through grassroots, innovative projects, Black and Indigenous youth are not only challenging systemic issues but also building a more inclusive and sustainable present and future for their communities. These initiatives are a testament of the magic that Black and Indigenous youth can create when given the resources, platforms, and support they need to care for their communities.
We funded 22 projects this cycle and the focus areas include; Indigenous mentorship programs, intergenerational birthing stories, a youth-centered soccer tournament, mental health & wellness, podcasts, poetry book publishing, and more. Read ahead to learn more about all the projects!
Free Tattoos for Black History Month
To connect in community, repair bad tattoo experiences for Black folks, and give the gift of my services for Black history month.
Mwana Yun
Mwana Yun aims to foster an intimate, enriching evening where we return to and revitalize our ancestral roles as storytellers across many different mediums - poetry, dance, DJ’ing, visual arts, and storytelling of the land and community kinship.
"Sometimes it Rains" the Poetry Book by a.k
Through the evocative medium of poetry, this project endeavors to share the poetry journey, encompassing trials, victories, self-discovery, and identity.
Shared Experiences
This project will create a podcast and website to share individual’s experiences, focusing on specific hardships and struggles they’ve experienced and how they’ve dealt with them.
Questions for Eckhart
Questions for Eckhart is a podcast series that will be filmed in a live/work studio in the historic Hogan's Alley. The podcast will draw from elders, current community trailblazers and the teachings of Eckhart Tolle.
QT2BIPOC WRITER'S CIRCLE
The QT2BIMPOC Writer's Circle aims to achieve a dedicated creation space where QT2BIMPOC writers across disciplines can deepen their creative practice with a consistent writing space filled with like minded individuals.
Medicine Together
This project aims to seek resources to fund culturally appropriate programming for urban Indigenous people and Black youth.
Cultivating Safe Spaces with Angeline Day
This project aims to promote holistic wellness, self-confidence, self-awareness, and creating a safe space within self.
Land Back Library
This project plans to strengthen Indigenous and Black relationships with each other and with the land. The Land Back Library will host outdoor gear for 2Spirit/Queer, Black and Indigenous people to utilize without charge.
Juba Youth Aspiring Each Other
This project aims to keep young youth to stay active and involve them to participate in activities that will keep them out of the street.
Affirmations and Teachings in lek̓ʷəŋen
This project aims for our community members of all ages and abilities to have access to their traditional language by having the opportunity to have examples of the language all around them.
Assistance for PHARMACIST LICENSE TRAINING PROGRAM Tuition Fee
The project goal is to be able to practice Clinical pharmacy in Canada, and to be able to do that I must clear 3 types of Canadian Pharmacy Board examinations and do a 6-month duration mandatory training program.
Rise Above Reality (Soccer Tournament)
This project serves to bring diverse and multicultural communities together through the universal language of sport – specifically soccer!
Intergenerational Birthing Stories
This project aims to achieve hope for intergenerational healing and new sustained ways of practicing intentional creativity and liberation.
The Film Project
Creating more autonomy over the visual narratives. Beyond the freedom to be creative, we have an opportunity to help people illustrate ideas in ways that aren't normally available to them.
Vision Edmonds (visionedmonds.ca)
This project addresses the problem of how vulnerable communities often do not get a seat at the table in urban planning.
ʔixl̓a mix̌ax̌ - sweet dreams
This project intends to gather a group of BIPOC to discuss and gain guidance from their dreams, ancestors and each other.
Indigenous Mentorship Program 2023
This project aims to organize an Indigenous Mentorship Program for students at the University of British Columbia!
Confessions of an Antisocial Butterfly - EP Release Event
Bukola is a 21-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist from Coquitlam, BC who has garnered attention and the support of several high-profile industry members this early in her career. Bukola is looking to build upon this momentum with a new EP.
Pan-African Unity (PAU)
This project aims to provide opportunities for education and community engagement in a culturally-relevant and safe manner.
Dream Studio - Studio Fulfillment
This project aims to support the building of a music studio for collective music lessons and knowledge.
Palestinian Youth Organizing
We allocated funding to support 2 Palestinian youth groups in their organizing efforts.