On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, one of Youth4Youth Canada's founding members was honoured to bring an important conversation to CBC Ottawa Morning. Taliah Lyons had the privilege of interviewing one of her mentors, Auntie Alexia, about what it truly means to be an Indigenous Auntie today.
Youth4Youth Canada's Kisac Cultural workshops focus on preserving and sharing culture and creating spaces where young people in urban settings can connect to their identities, learn from mentors, and feel proud of who they are.
During the interview, Auntie Alexia, talks about being an “Auntie” and “Elder in training”. She speaks passionately about her work in youth mental health and advocacy and emphasizes the importance of meeting each person where they are on their journey of cultural reclamation, particularly urban Indigenous youth who may be reconnecting with traditions for the first time.
She also offered a powerful critique of how Canada marks this day. Alexia pointed out that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation still risks being performative because of the slow progress on the 94 Calls to Action. She reminded listeners that true allyship means acknowledging ongoing systemic harms — including the fact that there are more Indigenous youth in care today than there were at the height of the Sixties Scoop.
We’re grateful to Alexia and to CBC Ottawa Morning for making space for this hard but hopeful conversation. Every time Indigenous youth and Aunties share their stories, we take another step toward breaking stigma, honouring survivors, and building understanding.
We invite you to learn, listen, and take action beyond just one day—support Indigenous youth, attend local events, and stand with communities working for real change.
In the words of Alexia:
“I try really hard to practice a lot of lateral love in community. There's definitely more than enough lateral violence in our communities. Practising lateral love and putting it into action is the best way. And a lot of the times that's just offering a listening ear.”
