As winter settles in, let us pause to reflect, rest, and reconnect. The Winter Solstice marks an important turning point—the shortest day and longest night of the year. It reminds us that even in darkness, light always returns. It’s a time to slow down, be with family, share stories, and give thanks for what carried us through the year.
This holiday season, Youth4Youth Canada was honoured to take part in the December 2025 NAC Adàwàning: Indigenous Women’s Art Market. This market brought together artists, families, and community members to celebrate creativity, culture, and connection. It was a wonderful opportunity to fundraise for our Kisac Cultural workshops for Indigenous youth <25 years old in the Ottawa area. Our 2026 workshops will continue to focus on youth leadership, wellness, skills building and peer support.
We’re so proud to share how Youth4Youth Canada (Y4Y) came together as vendors and performers at the MNC’s 2025 Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Ottawa... and how that gathering helped us carry forward our dual mission of culture and care.
We were honoured to be invited to the Indigenous Women’s Arts Conference 2025 as both performers and vendors. This gathering brings together Indigenous women from urban, rural, and on- and off-reserve communities, and it has grown into an important space for culture, learning, and empowerment. Since 2019, the conference has welcomed more than a thousand visitors and supported over 50 Indigenous women artists and educators. It felt powerful to be part of that circle.
We recently hosted a horsemanship workshop and it was one of the most joyful days we’ve ever had.
We had the special honour of performing for a Metis Elder Reta Gordon. The gathering was filled with warmth, laughter, and community. Friends and family joined in, including Elders Marie-Louise Perron and Parm Burgie, who helped make the afternoon even more meaningful.
Thank you Rosey Edeh, Melissa Lamb, and Will Aiello for inviting us to share our work with your viewers.
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.
We spent a beautiful afternoon at Rideau Pines Farms with Indigenous youth from our community. Thanks to a grant from ONWA, we were able to host this land-based activity and spend time together in nature—picking berries and fresh vegetables straight from the fields.
We were honoured to bring our Kîšâc dancers to Gloucester’s 175th anniversary celebration at the beautiful Billings Estate National Historic Site. Hosted by the Gloucester Historical Society, the afternoon was all about community, history, and celebration.