We believe Indigenous Youth are Healers & can create change! With support, resources and mentorship, they will be the ones to uplift and inspire other Indigenous Youth and our Communities. We Matter’s National Ambassadors of Hope Program offers access to Mentorship, Learning and Training opportunities and Support so YOU can connect, uplift, inspire and make change!
Ambassadors of Hope are Indigenous Youth ages 18 to 30 who share messages of Hope, Culture and Strength within their Communities, Spaces & Regions! The We Matter team will support them as they deliver presentations on Hardship, Hope and Healing across schools and communities. They live by example to inspire and connect with other Indigenous Youth. They break the Stigma on Mental Health, Promote Life and Healthy Communities.
National Ambassadors of Hope 2025/2026:
Boozhoo! My name Is Belle Bercier, but some people know me as Quill. My spirit names are Strong Pine Root Woman and Fire bug Woman. I’m from Treaty 1 territory known as Long Plain First National. I’m a mother of 2 and a student at the University of Manitoba, I used to be a youth at Mamawi, they’re a non profit organization to help indigenous youth reach their goal for independence.
My life goals are to earn my Medical Lawyer degree while continuing to be passionate about mental health, culture, wellness, and also creating safe spaces for our youth to grow and learn. Though we matter, I wanted to let people know it is okay to struggle, and by reaching out for help is an act of strength. I Believe in the power of community and connection. By being part of we matter, I hope to help others see their strength, their worth, their importance in this world.
We are our ancestors’ dreams, we are walking prayers from their sacrifices (their hopes brought to life). As Indigenous youth, they hold both the beauty of our culture and the deep pain of generational suffering, yet we still continue to rise, survive and thrive. The suffering forced upon indigenous people through colonization is a wound we still carry, but it does not define us or who we are. We are survivors of our own story, We are strength itself and we are stronger as a community and connection with one another.
By sharing my voice through We Matter, I honor my ancestors, to knowledge our pain, to remind our youth that we are still here — unbroken, unforgotten, and unstoppable. I want to let the youth know their healing matters; their stories matter, and they’re a continuation of all those who came before us — our ancestors are with us, together with We matter we can carry hope forward.
Chelsea Huntley, a 23-year-old Cree woman and proud member of Muskoday First Nation, Saskatchewan. Currently, she is in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, enrolled in Indigenous Social Work at the First Nations University of Canada. Chelsea is an Outreach Worker, Peer Advocate, and a National Ambassador of Hope. She is passionate about suicide prevention and life promotion, walking alongside people in beginning their healing journey and finding their voices. Chelsea believes that reconnecting to your culture and not being afraid to ask for help is healing, as that is what is helping her on her healing journey.
My name is Danielle Highway. I am originally from Pelican Narrows, and I’ve been living in Saskatoon for over four years. I’m a proud mother to a beautiful daughter, and together we’ve been walking this journey of healing and growth.
I am a nail technician, a STR8 UP member for almost three years, and a youth leader with Summit Outreach and Counseling here in Saskatoon. I recently celebrated 13 months of sobriety, and this year, I began dancing pow wow alongside my daughter—a powerful step in reclaiming and honoring our culture.
My life today is about resilience, recovery, and showing the next generation that healing is possible.
Eagle Blackbird, 22, is an Anishinaabe content creator, educator, and advocate dedicated to raising awareness about Indigenous cultures through storytelling, humor, and education. A proud member of Walpole Island First Nation, Bkejwanong Unceded Territory, he has built a following of over 1.2 million on TikTok (@itzeaglee), where his videos highlight Indigenous culture, humor, and current issues while challenging stereotypes and sparking meaningful conversations.
Beyond his online presence, Eagle serves as a Bkejwanong Youth Councillor, where he encourages young people to remain engaged, take pride in their identity, and actively contribute to their community in ways that strengthen themselves, their families, and future generations. He is also a proud father to his three-year-old son, who inspires his ongoing commitment to youth leadership both at home and online. Guided by the desire to be the role model he never had, Eagle strives to empower the next generation by showing them the value of their voices, stories, and culture.
As his platform continues to grow, Eagle remains committed to his mission to create a future where Indigenous stories, cultures, and youth are celebrated, uplifted, and preserved for generations to come.
Ethan Lyric is an Indigenous musician and political advocate from Winnipeg, Manitoba. His songs are heard across North America, with his last single being a top-played song on the Indigiverse (SiriusXM). He uses his music as an avenue to inspire Indigenous youth and recently toured Manitoba reservations alongside prominent Indigenous musicians Don Amero and Troy Kokol.
In his role as a federal Indigenous youth representative, Lyric has advocated for Indigenous language revitalization and education reform to Senators and Members of Parliament. He was a 2024 finalist for the prestigious Loran Scholarship and was recently honoured at the Manitoba Legislature for his contributions to his community and success in the arts.
He is studying Linguistics at the University of British Columbia with a focus on Indigenous Languages.
Hunter is a 24-year-old Métis woman from Manitoba. Hunter’s Métis ancestry comes through both of her parents. On her maternal side, her roots connect to the St. Peter’s Reserve, and Netley Creek. On her paternal side, her roots connect to Grand Marais and the small northern Métis community of Manigotagan, where some of her family still reside today. Currently, Hunter resides on Treaty 1 Territory.
For the past four years, she has worked at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). Hunter’s role involved supporting residential school Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors in accessing residential school records. While working, she has also been completing her degree at the University of Manitoba, with a major in Indigenous Studies and a minor in Business. Through working at the NCTR, Hunter has had the opportunity to support other youth along their journey of self-discovery. She recognizes the importance of understanding the past, learning from it and working together towards a better future.
Hunter has a passion for Indigenous economic development and understanding the individual strengths of Indigenous nations. She hopes to advance her education in the future, enabling her to work alongside Indigenous nations undertaking trailblazing work related to economic development.
Kyndall Moore is a proud member of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, with maternal ties to Waterhen Lake First Nation on Treaty 6 Territory.
Kyndall is a dedicated advocate for youth mental health, a youth mentor, and a full-time auntie. Her passion lies in empowering young people to build healthy relationships with themselves from an early age. In addition to her advocacy work, Kyndall is a photographer and seamstress, carrying forward her grandmother’s legacy.
Kyndall currently serves as the Wellness & Addictions Supervisor within the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and is accepting her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a Minor in Indigenous Studies from the University of Saskatchewan. In the past Kyndall has supported children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), mentored Indigenous youth, and led projects during her time at the University of Saskatchewan peer health, Indigenous & People of Colour (IPOC) community members.
She lives by the balance of the medicine wheel, always keeping in mind the importance of regaining her cultural identity. Kyndall shares the importance of following the teachings our elders provide us with to live a healthy and happy life in all four aspects of the medicine wheel (physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional). Over the past year, Kyndall has used her voice and experience to educate youth on mental health and how to cope with life’s challenges.
Larissa Wrightman (she/her) is a proud Anishinaabe Kwe from Walpole Island First Nation, Bkejwanong Unceded Territory. In her second year as an Ambassador of Hope, Larissa is deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with and empower Indigenous youth across Canada.
At home, she serves as a Bkejwanong Youth Councillor, where she encourages young people to stay engaged and take an active role in their community. Youth are the future and Larissa is happy to be able to uplift the next generations to come.
Marcus McGregor, 23, currently resides on Treaty 1 territory in a small community south of Winnipeg, Manitoba named Niverville, Manitoba. He moved to Niverville in 2019, from Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation (Norway House, Manitoba), a First Nations community in northern Manitoba located on Treaty 5 territory. He spent a good majority of his youth years growing up in Norway House, which he has close ties to and considers the community home.
Marcus is of mixed heritage, Scottish on his paternal side, and First Nations (Cree) on his maternal side. He is Treaty from Misipawistik Cree Nation (Grand Rapids, Manitoba), which is also located on Treaty 5 territory. Despite never having lived in Misipawistik, he takes great pride in being a part of Misipawistik Cree Nation. He has lots of family there and visits frequently.
For work, Marcus is currently a Level 3 electrical apprentice working towards obtaining his Red Seal. His goal is to achieve a Red Seal as a construction electrician and work with First Nation communities; to provide services and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth that are interested in the trades. Throughout his years growing up as a youth in Norway House, trades were never really emphasized. Mainly, university was encouraged. However, for youth like himself, that’s a lifestyle that is not best suitable, as he prefers physical and hands-on work. Marcus would like to promote the trades as they are also an excellent career to work towards for other Indigenous youth like himself.
Morgan LaBoucane, (She/They), 28, is a two-spirit Nêhiyaw, Métis and mixed settler youth who grew up in the mountains on Treaty 6 and 8 territories, she now resides on the Traditional Territories of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, and Stzu’minus.
Morgan is a trauma informed health practitioner, artist and a young entrepreneur owning her own wellness clinic. Morgan is a huge advocate speaking out on mental health, life promotion, and being a sobriety wellness mentor who practices traditional medicines, and holistic ways to take care of the mind, body and spirit. One of Morgan’s greatest honours is holding space for people in their healing journey, meeting them where they’re at and walking this earth together.
Michelle La Forme (she/her) is a mom, a wife, a sister and a daughter. She is an artist and entrepreneur, and an advocate for accessibility and Indigenous and youth rights.
Michelle is mixed Ojibwe, claimed by the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and European (mainly English and Irish). She grew up in Hamilton, Ontario but now resides in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, on unceded Wolastoqiyik territory.
While running her own deadly beadwork and art business, “art by Michelle La Forme”, she also sits on the advisory circle for Indigenous Youth Roots’ creation granting program and has done external mentorship for the Indigenous Friends Association. Michelle considers herself to be a lifelong learner and is currently studying to add computer science to her Psychology degree with the hope to create more accessibility in online spaces. She loves to be creative and draws inspiration from nature and her own life, and it’s reflected in her art.
Michelle has been lucky enough to be supported by organizations like We Matter, whether it was financial support in the way of grants that helped propel her art business forward, or the necessary emotional support needed for navigating day-to-day life as an Indigenous woman, mother, and young person. She hopes that by being an Ambassador of Hope, she can be there to offer the same support she has leaned on, through culture, strength, and hope.
Tansi! My name is Nakeisha McDonald, a proud Cree woman from Cross lake Cree nation. My spirit name is Strong waterfall woman and star woman, and a content creator on TikTok and Instagram where I share the Cree language and powwow dancing. I’m 26 years old and a mother to a 6 year old beautiful boy.
I’m a youth ambassador of hope with WeMatter, dedicated to empowering Indigenous youth through culture, mentorship, and community leadership. Drawing from my Indigenous roots, I share the teachings of powwow dancing and the Cree language to inspire pride, healing, resilience, and self-confidence in the next generation. I facilitate powwow dance classes in northern communities and across Canada, and I perform to powwow dance showcasing our culture. My heart is in creating safe spaces, uplifting youth where can grow, connect with their culture, embrace their identities, and know they are never alone on their journey. With a heart for service and a vision for brighter futures, I strive to uplift and inspire young people to create positive change and that they can achieve their dreams. Kinanâskomitin! (Thank you) Love you so much
Way’, I am Nikita Wilson, a Syilx woman from Westbank First Nation in Kelowna, British Columbia.
I am completing the Online Writing for Film and TV Program with Toronto Film School, and will be graduating later in the year 2026. As well as that, I recently spent the summer as the Summer Camp Coordinator for Indigenous Youth with Westbank First Nation. I’m also the Director / Screenwriter for Westbank First Nations upcoming Documentary about their 20 years of Self Government.
I have a passion for telling Indigenous stories, throughout writing and media. I am committed to giving voices to the youth and children in my community, and am very excited for the opportunities that come with being a National Ambassador of Hope. My goal is to be a safe space, advocate, and leader to youth in indigenous communities across Canada. I believe that storytelling is an integral part of community building, and that stories hold great meaning that Youth can learn from. By sharing these stories, we can connect with Youth, and let them know they’re not alone.
Aaniin! My name is Olivia Norton, my spirit name is Miinodokezaan°ode (“Late Spring Lightning”), I am 23 years old, and I am a proud member of the Bizhiki (Buffalo) clan. I am mixed Anishinaabe (Oji-Cree) and European (Irish) descent. On my mother’s side, I am Anishinaabe Kwe (Oji-Cree) from Vogar, Manitoba, but I was born and raised in London, Ontario. Currently, I reside on the Traditional Territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and work full-time in Indigenous relations within the clean energy sector.
This Fall (2025), I will graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Indigenous Studies. I am passionate about amplifying Indigenous voices within critical climate and energy conversations, especially in the nuclear sector. My goal is to use my degree to support Indigenous presence in these vital discussions. Alongside my current work, I aspire to earn my Master’s Degree in Leadership at the University of Guelph, where I plan to explore Indigenous Perspectives in Sustainable Energy Solutions through my thesis.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Ambassador of Hope. In this role, I strive to inspire youth to recognize their full potential and greatness. Within the energy sector, I advocate for Indigenous youth because I believe that being a good relative requires living in balance and recognizing the vital importance of nurturing our young people. Our actions today are crucial—Turtle Island and all our relations depend on supporting and empowering the next generations to realize their fullest potential.
Ryan Maisey (He/Him), 27, is a Queer Métis and mixed settler person who grew up in the prairies on Treaty 7 territory. He now resides where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, also known as Moh’kinstsis (Calgary, AB).
Ryan is a Registered Provisional Psychologist and a young entrepreneur who owns his own private practice specializing in trauma and survivance-informed care. Ryan is a huge advocate for mental health, trans-affirming care, queer identities and relations, and holistic wellness focused on the mind, body, heart, and spirit. Ryan’s primary passion in life is to walk with people, share stories, and hold space for and navigate through all the heavy life moments. Throughout life, there will always be difficult days, but as Piglet says to Pooh, “Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone there for you.”
Samantha Newman is a beneficiary of Nunatsiavut Government residing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. With an education background in mental health and addictions she centers her care and goals around community, wellness, and in a harm reduction lens. As a second year Ambassador of Hope, Samantha hopes to continue on-the-land workshops and involving Inuit culture and values on a local, provincial, and national stage.
With a focus on revitalizing Inuit art and performance, Samantha is on a constant journey of learning and understanding through the lens of Inuit and navigating a world of both academics and Indigenous knowledge. Samantha has been drum dancing since age 7, is reconnecting with throatsinging and is always learning the Nunatsiavut dialect of Inuktitut.
Sean Bernard is a 20 year old two-spirit Cree youth originally from Waterhen Lake First Nation, located in Saskatchewan, Treaty 6. Currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, with the goal to further his education journey with the University of Alberta
Sean is an indigenous youth presenter, climate activist and mental health/youth advocate. He has been dedicated to highlighting indigenous youth voices all across Canada by creating spaces for them to come together to use their stories and experiences for action and hope. Dedicated to showcasing the importance of culture, identity and community.
Sean’s personal experience with sharing his story about the impact of addiction, loss of identity, and trials of resilience is what allowed him to realize the importance of creating those conversations. He believes that through sharing our stories and experiences is where our true lessons and connections begin. Reconnecting youth by meeting them where they are at and allowing space for them to share is something Sean strives for.
Sean has been involved as a youth mentor and team member with the EducationNatureNexus program through the Centre for Global Education organization. The importance of understanding and engaging for the need of education, wellness, and nature advocacy for youth and for people all together is important to Sean.