Ever thought that a group of youth could change our country?
We did. Still do, actually.
We are the Canadian Roots Exchange, a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth who believe that in order to bridge the gap between Canada’s peoples and work towards reconciliation, we need to become educated and aware of the teachings, triumphs, and daily realities of Indigenous communities.
So, through exchanges, workshops, conferences and leadership trainings, we bring together youth in cities, towns, and traditional territories across Canada in an effort to break down stereotypes, open a dialogue, and build honest relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living on this land.
The Program
The Canadian Roots Exchange is registered charity (registration number 832296602RR0001) that provides Indigenous based leadership, learning and reconciliation experiences to every youth that participates in our programs. CRE organizes three main types of activities: exchange programs, workshops and conferences. Central to CRE programming is the need to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Regardless of the activity, we believe that having dialogue is necessary to foster understanding and reconciliation.
Exchange Programs
Canadian Roots organizes experiential educational programs and field schools in Indigenous host communities across Canada. Our programs range from 5 days to 3 weeks. Participants have the opportunity to learn in both formal and informal settings. CRE emphasizes personal growth and leadership development through individual and group learning, and personal reflection facilitated by project coordinators, Elders and educators from each community. Through exchanges, participants engage in active, experiential learning that sheds light on Nation to nation relationships, as well as the histories and current realities of Indigenous communities.
Canadian Roots organizes experiential educational programs and field schools in Indigenous host communities across Canada. Our programs range from 5 days to 3 weeks. Participants have the opportunity to learn in both formal and informal settings. CRE emphasizes personal growth and leadership development through individual and group learning, and personal reflection facilitated by project coordinators, Elders and educators from each community. Through exchanges, participants engage in active, experiential learning that sheds light on Nation to nation relationships, as well as the histories and current realities of Indigenous communities.
Conferences
To date, Canadian Roots Exchange has hosted 4 National Youth Reconciliation Conferences in Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Sudbury. For three days, young movers and shakers from across the country come together to learn, play, and work towards improving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth participate through youth-led workshops, intergenerational events and local excursions that place a focus on reconciliation, Indigenous history and cultural revitalization, dispelling stereotypes, health and wellbeing, and decolonization.
Canadian Roots Exchange delivers youth-led workshops that aim to raise awareness of Indigenous histories, cultures and current realities. Workshops are facilitated by Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and help participants to dispel stereotypes, deepen their knowledge of the history including the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous peoples. Workshops can be custom designed to meet the needs of a group and Canadian Roots Exchange has designed and delivered workshops for both youth and adults. We have designed and delivered workshops that have ranged from a few hours to 2 days.
If you are interested in receiving a Canadian Roots workshop for staff training, a class or organization please contact us at info@canadianroots.ca