The Standing Bear Youth Leadership Program has been collaborating with the Chippewa Youth Ambassador Group (CYAG) since April 2023, forging a powerful partnership dedicated to empowering Indigenous youth. Through this collaboration, Standing Bear has provided ongoing leadership training designed to build and strengthen the leadership skills of CYAG members. These efforts are part of a larger goal: preparing the group for an upcoming cultural exchange trip to New Zealand for WIPCE 2025, the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education.

Since the beginning of this partnership, Standing Bear has played a pivotal role in supporting the CYAG’s journey. The program has facilitated a variety of workshops and activities focused on leadership development, cultural education, and personal growth. By bringing in sports coaches, community leaders, motivational speakers, and cultural educators, Standing Bear has ensured that the youth receive a well-rounded experience. These mentors have shared valuable teachings on the Nations’ history, Treaties, Garmounts, and Language, helping the young leaders connect more deeply with their heritage and identity.

One of the highlights of the program so far was a group trip to Ottawa, Canada’s leadership capital. This excursion was designed to give the youth hands-on experience with travel and to provide opportunities for them to put their leadership skills into practice. The trip included visits to significant landmarks, interactive workshops, and team-building activities that encouraged the youth to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new challenges.

Youth Leader Sydney Kechego reflected on the experience, sharing, “The trip to Ottawa was a really great one! We experienced long train rides due to delays but we overcame them as a group. It also gave us a taste of what it would be like when we take the flight to New Zealand. Our group bonded through the Standing Bear activities. We got to see the strengths and natural leadership skills of the group as well as step out of our comfort zones. We learned about the different leadership styles and we pointed out that mentorship is key for our group. I enjoyed playing card games with the Youth and seeing them have fun. I also really enjoyed seeing the usual quiet people step outside their comfort zones and use their voice. Standing Bear is something that really promotes leadership and the trip to Ottawa really highlighted that in the youth.”

The Ottawa trip was a transformative journey that allowed the youth to grow both individually and as a team. The challenges they faced, such as travel delays, became opportunities to practice resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. Through group activities and shared experiences, the youth discovered their own strengths and learned to support one another, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

Standing Bear’s commitment to mentorship and leadership development continues to have a lasting impact on the CYAG. By providing access to cultural knowledge, leadership training, and real-world experiences, the program is helping to shape the next generation of Indigenous leaders. As the group prepares for their upcoming journey to New Zealand, they do so with newfound confidence, skills, and a strong sense of community that's ready to represent their Nation on the world stage at WIPCE 2025.