What is a change you helped make that was exciting?
A change I helped make that was exciting, was certainly shaping my own personal voice. I went from being rather timid about criticizing aspects of projects I found questionable to being forthcoming in my approach to sharing my concerns, hesitations, or areas I thought needed to be discussed. There’s a confidence that one gets in sitting amongst peers in a safe space.
– Justin Langan
What has been the most impactful part of being in the Creation Advisory Circle?
The most impactful part is knowing I was in a national community of Indigenous youth advocating, learning, decolonizing, and sharing knowledge from our past and current perspectives on growing communities. We were able to learn through many workshops and speaking within our advisor meetings. It’s hard to just highlight what is the most impactful, as we all had efforts and consent in shaping how IYR met community goals.
– Erica Wilson
What do you think is the impact of having youth provide input on the program?
The impact is having your own experiences and expertise and using them to help impact the process.
– Deseray Rich
What advice would you give to other youth who are considering joining an advisory circle but haven’t decided yet?
Do it! I joined when I was 17 and although I was nervous, I was excited for the opportunity. I’m 21 now and leaving due to my term ending, but if I could tell any other youth some advice, it would be “Take the chance” and that “It’s worth it”.
– Toni
What is a skill you learned from being part of the advisory circle or review circle?
I learned to reflect a lot more. A part of the decolonization process when it comes to grants, projects, and working in community groups, is the refection allows more time to empathize with individuals who are just learning the processes and what it takes to go from an idea, to being in it, to wrapping it up. When your in it, it’s always go, go, go but taking that time to just be like, “damn”.
– Erica Wilson
