CRE’s Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research is excited to launch our third call for applications for the Indigenous Youth Policy School.
The School provides space for Indigenous youth (aged 18-29) to engage with peers through interactive sessions on a local and national level. The program is designed to meet the needs of each individual student’s strengths through a flexible curriculum and continuous support to ensure their version of success throughout the program is achieved.
The School is a tuition-free program with no academic or professional requirements. Youth can be at any level of learning and understanding about policy (brand new to policy, or with a baseline); we will help ensure everyone starts at the same place. Indigenous youth are given the tools to ensure their priorities are advanced and perspectives are reflected in policies that matter most to them.
To make IYPS more accessible we will be offering 5 small virtual cohorts so youth from coast-coast-coast may apply! The cohorts include: PST, MST, CST, EST & AST/NST. Facilitators of each cohort will be located in each of these time zones as well.
Eligibility/Requirements for Youth:
- Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit) youth ages 18-29 (as of September 2022)
- Interested in learning about policy development.
- Who are solutions-focused with a desire to create real change.
- Located within Canada and living in any of the time zones listed above.
- Available for an in-person program launch in Toronto from September 15th-18th 2022 (all costs will be covered).
- Must be able to meet once a week for an online class for the entirety of the nine-month program.
- The program will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2-3 hours between 6:00-9:00PM in their respective time zones weekly from September 2022 to May 2023.*
- *There will be select weeks throughout the program set aside for breaks, and if you must miss a class you simply need to inform your facilitator. Too many missed sessions will result in an inability to continue with the program.
What to Look Forward to
- To develop policy recommendations in areas that matter to them and to present their solutions to policymakers and leaders
- To co-develop and shape policies and programs with the government during and after completion of the program
- Experiential learning within the community through participation in local events and gatherings
- For ongoing networking in professional environments that can further connections for future employment and career development,.
- For support in accessing paid job opportunities and mentorship within the government
- An invitation to engage with a network of Indigenous policy leaders upon completion of the program (CRE’s Policy Alumni Network) committed to policy development, holding the government accountable, and improving the overall representation of Indigenous people in positions of leadership. This network will become a source of knowledge and expertise as it continues to grow each year.
- Welcome gift and learners package
- A $1500.00 honorarium for participating in the program to honour your time and knowledge shared.
- Paid in two installments, $500.00 in December 2022 and $1000.00 in June 2023 following graduation from the program.
If you require a different format for your application or if you simply prefer to inform us of your needs by email, please contact our Policy Capacity Coordinator Alannah at: alannah@canadianroots.ca.
* We can offer support to youth who have jobs that may require letters of support to participate in the Indigenous Policy School. Please inquire for details.
