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.
Are you interested in hosting an Ambassador of Hope engagement?
Ambassador of Hope applications are NOW CLOSED! Thank you to everyone who applied, you will hear back soon through email with next steps.
National Ambassadors of Hope 2026/2028:
My given name is Aydan Joachim, and my spirit name is Long Time Dancer. I’m Cree and Métis from Aseniwuche Winewak Nation and the Mountain Métis in Grande Cache, Alberta. My pronouns are she/they.
I carry a deep love for my community and our youth. I’m going into my second year as an ambassador of hope with We Matter and I am also an Indigenous advocate. As a youth within these spaces I hope to use my voice to advocate for women and girls who are in domestic violence situations.
I am a powwow dancer, a nature enthusiast, a hockey player, ball player, a bookworm and a wrangler.
Chelsea Huntley, a 26-year-old Cree woman and proud member of Muskoday First Nation, Saskatchewan. Currently, she is in Prince Albert. Chelsea has a Bachelors of Indigenous Social Work from the First Nations University of Canada, is a new mama to a beautiful baby boy and a fourth year 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 has a passion for helping and creating easier ways for people to access community services and tries to bridge the gap between. She shares her journey of substance misuse, suicidal ideations and attempts, bullying, and how she has turned intergenerational trauma into intergenerational healing in a good way. 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.
She has a passion for working with at risk youth, people struggling with poverty and living the criminal street lifestyle. Chelsea is a passionate advocate for people within the health, criminal justice system and child welfare system. She believes that there is no such thing as a bad person, only a person doing what they have to do while living in survival mode.
Daniela Linklater (she/her), 27, is Woodland Cree from Pelican Narrows, SK, and proud member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
She currently resides on the traditional unceded territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc peoples (Golden, BC).
Daniela is a Registered Social Worker in both BC and SK with close ties to her home community and province. She is an entrepreneur who runs her own business, offering holistic mental health support to youth and individuals. When she’s not working, she spends much of her time outdoors and is passionate about anything nature, movement and travel related.
She is deeply committed to advocating for youth mental health, LGBTQ2S+, and holistic wellbeing.
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.
Tansi, My name is Kiara Rabbitskin, and I am a proud member of Big River First Nation, Treaty 6 Territory. I’m 27 years old and an Indigenous entrepreneur, model, speaker, dancer, and National Ambassador of Hope with We Matter.
I’m passionate about Indigenous youth empowerment, confidence, culture, creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community. I love expressing myself through modelling and dance, sharing my experiences through speaking, and creating opportunities for others through workshops and creative activities.
I’m also the founder of Berry Sweet Cups by The Tipi Cup, an Indigenous-owned fruit business that I’m growing into a catering business, with plans to offer creative fruit creations, charcuterie boards, and catering for communities, events, celebrations, and gatherings.
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.
Logan Merasty (He/Him) is a proud Indigenous youth leader, Social Innovation and Community Development student at Red River College Polytechnic, and Hope Ambassador with We Matter. Originally from Brochet, Manitoba, a small remote community in Northern Manitoba. Logan is passionate about uplifting Indigenous youth voices, advocating mental health awareness, and creating spaces rooted in kindness, culture, and connection.
Through their lived experience navigating intergenerational trauma, displacement for education, and personal healing, Logan brings authenticity and compassion to their advocacy. They are committed to breaking cycles of lateral violence by promoting lateral kindness and community care. Logan’s work focuses on empowering young people to reclaim their worth, strengthen their identity, and know that they matter.
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
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.
I carry many important roles; I am a daughter, sister, aunty, cousin, student, and a leader. I spend my time beading, sewing and baking cookies.
Aanii! Tansi! Hello! My name is Roberta Longclaws. I am an Indigenous mother of 4, originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. My nations are Waywayseecappo First Nation Treaty 4 and Jackhead First Nation. I currently reside in Abbotsford, British Columbia. I am an advocate and policy maker. I wear many hats and just try to do my best to be a better version of myself everyday.
I have been an advocate since I was very young and have always had a passion for Mental Health, and youth and families who deal with the Child and Family services department. I love to find and provide resource knowledge. I believe everyone has a right to know and access resources available and targeted to whoever is looking for them. We are stronger when we offer and take help from the/our communities. As is the way we have been born into.
I have spent a majority of my young adulthood surviving and navigating systems that have been put in place to work against Indigenous people’s, and as I have found my way through, I want to give back to anyone I am able to. I am currently working on trying to learn more about non-profits and I am a part of a few different cohorts to deepen my knowledge for Indigenous ways of life.
Miigwech! Maarsii!!
Ateliahi! My name is Samantha Newman and I am an Indigenous youth from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador with familial connections to Nain, Postville, and Rigolet, being a beneficiary of the Nunatsiavut Land Claims. I am currently 21 years old working at my local women’s shelter as well as a community services lead with another local organization.
I currently live in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and do cultural programming including Inuit drum dancing and Inuit throatsinging. My passion is in promoting and preserving Inuit culture and language through my work and sharing with my community.
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.
I currently live in Winnipeg Manitoba where I am receiving my education. I recently received my Diploma for Community Development, and have plans to go back to school for Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship.
During my free time I am running youth programming on my reserve, giving the youth just something to do. I plan on moving back home once I finish my studies, so I can create a 24/7 safe space for the youth in my community.
I am a powwow dancer and singer,I also love animals and nature very much. I also enjoy beading, sewing and gaming.
Tansi! Syndel Thomas Kozar (she/they/any) is a Two-Spirit nehiyaw artist, advocate, community educator, and mother. She is a band member of One Arrow First Nation with familial ties to Chakastaypasin Band in James Smith Cree Nation. Born and raised in Melfort, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 6 Territory, Syndel was raised by her grandparents, who are Residential and Day School Survivors. Their experiences and teachings have deeply shaped her understanding of family, community, culture, and the importance of creating better futures for Indigenous youth. Syndel is now based in Saskatoon, where she continues to build relationships through community, art, advocacy, and education.
Syndel holds a Double Honours Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in English from the University of Saskatchewan. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Indigenous Studies, where her research centres Indigenous youth, particularly Two-Spirit and gender-diverse youth, using relational, community-engaged, and arts-based approaches. Her academic and advocacy work is connected by a passion for challenging colonial systems and creating spaces where Indigenous young people’s knowledge, experiences, and ways of understanding themselves are valued.
Art is central to how Syndel builds relationships and engages with community. As a multidisciplinary artist, she works across painting, murals, beadwork, poetry, storytelling, and cultural arts. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries and community spaces, while her writing has appeared in publications including The Grain and In Media Res. She has shared her art and facilitated community programming across Canada and internationally.
Much of Syndel’s heart is in working alongside Indigenous youth. Through Crafting Kinship, she creates free, culturally grounded arts programming that brings Indigenous youth together with artists, knowledge keepers, culture, and one another. Her broader advocacy has included youth advisory councils, research, policy, and community initiatives focused on Indigenous identity, Two-Spirit inclusion, youth leadership, and creating safer and more inclusive spaces. She believes that art can be medicine, but that community itself is medicine too.
As an Ambassador of Hope, Syndel hopes to continue creating spaces where Indigenous and Two-Spirit youth can feel represented, connected, and celebrated. She wants young people to know that there is no single right way to be Indigenous, reconnect with culture, or find their path. Above all, she hopes to remind Indigenous youth that they are allowed to be loud, creative, complicated, joyful, and entirely themselves—and that wherever they are in their journey, they matter.
Hey! My name is Velmore Junior Migwi.
As a proud Tłı̨chǫ individual, my path is guided by the strength of my ancestors and family. My parents are both residential school survivors, and their resilience inspires everything I do.
I am deeply grounded by the teachings and legacy of my grandpa, chief Joe Migwi, which helped me walk the Red Path with purpose.Currently, I serve as a recreational leader and first-year ambassador for my community, balancing my work while going back to school to finish my diploma. I’m an Indigenous advocate, youth delegate, and entrepreneur. My primary goal for this program is to better myself, lead and help the youth to the best of my ability, and provide strong representation for Tlicho nation Masi cho.
Hii! My name is Victoria Nirlungayuk (she/her). I am Inuk, Scottish and Irish, born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, my maternal community is Kugaaruk in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut. I am currently studying Social Innovation and Community Development after previously working with an Inuit organization, where I developed a deep love for community-based work and was inspired to strengthen my skills to better support community in meaningful and sustainable ways.
Growing up in an urban setting with little Inuit representation showed me the importance of accessible, culturally relevant spaces and supports. I am passionate about creating spaces for community to gather and connect, bridging relationships with service providers, and ensuring our youth see themselves represented and recognize the knowledge and value they already carry. I guide my work through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit societal values), while recognizing that learning and reconnecting are lifelong journeys. My hope is to open conversations that encourage others to deepen their own understanding, relationships, and connections.
Aanii, Ziigwan Nangoons ndizhnikaaz. Deshkan Ziibiing ndoonjibaa. Nimkii benesii ndoodem. Zhaagnash, Ojibwe, Odawa Anishinaabekwe ndaw.Paswe’aatigook ndibendaagoz. Ngikinomaagoz Trent University.
Aanii, my name is Ziigwan Nangoons, I’m from Deshkan Ziibiing. I’m from the Thunderbird clan. I’m a Scottish Anishinaabe woman. I belong to the echo between the trees’ language initiative. I am a student at Trent University.
Ziigwan holds a diploma in Anishinaabemowin and holds 2 Certifications from Anishinaabemowin Immersion experience. She’s currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts.
She is a Facilitator, Clean Energy Catalyst, Climate activist, Dancer, Anishinaabemowin learner, Canoe instructor/coach (M.C.O River Serpents), Aspiring seamstress, Shkaabewis.
Ziigwan is an Ambassador of Hope for this two year term, spreading her messages of hope and sharing her story of how Culture saved her life;
How she came to be where she is today and where she continues to go next on this endless learning journey.
From someone who didn’t speak at all – to speaking In her language and in international spaces fighting for her people.
Sharing Challenges and adversities through family/generational trauma, mental health and disconnection;
To have her life saved by finding her way back home to Community, Love, Purpose and Anishnaabe Bimaadiziwin.