Indigenous Relations
Indigenous Relations
Empowering a journey of social change
Our Indigenous Relations team empowers youth and adults alike to embark on a journey of social change by creating a holistic learning and action-based experience. Through WE Schools, we provide programming for Indigenous youth that empowers and inspires them to continue being leaders in their communities. To help raise Indigenous issues as a priority, we also focus on educating non-Indigenous youth living in Canada about Indigenous cultures, histories and traditions. Through campaigns, leadership programs, inspirational WE Day events, lesson plans, social media and so much more, we’re helping to make Turtle Island a more inclusive place.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
The tenets of our Indigenous Programming
It’s created in collaboration with subject experts and Indigenous representatives.
It’s leadership focused—designed to create empathy and understanding.
It provides tools for young people to actively support each other in creating a better world.
It empowers Indigenous youth to continue to use their voices to create meaningful change.
It helps educators meet curriculum requirements and encourages students to explore Indigenous cultures and histories.
It partners with leading Indigenous organizations to ensure Canadians are aware of and equipped to take action.
Programs and resources
Sacred Circle
Sacred Circle is a three-day leadership program designed to empower Indigenous youth. Focusing on the capacity and strengths of each individual and community, this program assists youth in exploring their unique identity, developing leadership skills, and build increased self-esteem and confidence. It also works to develop a sense of belonging and to explore and celebrate Indigenous cultures and perspectives, including the issues facing Indigenous communities. The goal: to help youth design action plans that support diversity and positive Indigenous cultural awareness.
Reconciliation in Action
Reconciliation in Action is a youth leadership program designed to build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. This program explores history and current events, and examines privilege and perception. The program engages with Elders and community leaders in both traditional practices and in the development of crucial leadership skills, such as effective communication and consensus-building. Following the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, this program will guide participants to a deeper understanding of themselves as leaders, and the whole group will emerge with a clear action plan and next steps for creating sustainable change within our schools, communities and the country.
First Voices
First Voices is a three-year leadership program created with community Leaders and Elders, that examines the needs and wants of the community to create a sustainable action plan. With a focus on the capacity and strengths of each individual and community, this program helps youth explore their identity, develop leadership skills, a sense of belonging and build self-esteem and confidence. Every program is customized and includes digital touch points to ensure added support. This program also explores and celebrates Indigenous cultures and perspectives, including issues facing Indigenous communities today, with the goal of designing action plans that support diversity and positive Indigenous cultural awareness.
WE Stand Together
WE’s Indigenous Relations team is passionate about providing a platform for Indigenous voices to be heard in classrooms across the country. Our team works closely with Indigenous youth, activists, educators and leaders to inform the stories being shared in our Indigenous action campaign and resources. Learn more about Indigenous perspectives and experiences in our WE Stand Together Campaign.
WE Learn Together
Our resource guide helps educators bring Indigenous history, culture and experiences into the classroom. As Canadians begin to seek reconciliation in light of our country’s dark history and mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples, educators are poised to help create the biggest shift in national and generational mindset. Help bring your students into the conversation all people should be having!
