The Indigenous Youth Policy School (IYPS) 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.
Cohort 4 Recruitment Opening June 2023!
Eligibility/Requirements for Youth:
- Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit) youth ages 18-29
- 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.
- Must be able to meet once a week for an online class for the entirety of the nine-month 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 the 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.
- * 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.
