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 16 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 2023/2024:
Angelina Calhoun, age 18. Proud to be from Haisla, Gitxsan, and Duck Bay First Nation. Currently resides on the Traditional territories of the ‘Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As, Quw’utsun and Tla’amin.’ Angie is passionate about social justice, she has advocated for indigenous rights through awareness projects within her school and community. She led projects regarding MMiWG, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Undrinkable water on reserves, Police Brutality, Over-representation of children in the foster care system, over-incarceration of indigenous men and women within Canada’s prison system. Angie is on her journey of Reconnecting, she dances both Women’s Jingle and Women’s Fancy Shawl at Pow Wows, as well as drumming. She works for an organization called ‘VYPER Journey’ which is a youth-governed group that focuses on Equity and Cultural Revitalization. Angie is currently enrolled at VIU for Indigenous Studies (BA) after obtaining her degree, she hopes to attend law school. Her Goal is to improve social inequality by becoming an ‘Indigenous Rights Lawyer.’
Behdahbuhn Logan, 28, is an Anishinaabe,Potawatomi, and Odawa woman from Walpole Island First Nations and Lenape from Moraviantown First Nation. Throughout her 28 years Behdahbuhn has been an advocate for disability rights for indigenous youth on reserve, completed internships abroad with NGO’s promoting gender equality, as well as bringing awareness on issues of MMIW and defending land rights. As an Ambassador of Hope for We Matter, Behdahbuhn hopes to aid in forging a path for other youth aspiring journalists, writers, and activists. She is currently completing her BA in Creative Writing at Vancouver Island University in BC where she anticipates becoming an author, writer and publisher. Along with her education she hopes to create a platform and means where all indigenous youth may travel beyond borders and oceans to share their stories.
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.
Eagle Blackbird, 20, is an Anishinaabe man of Ojibway and Potawatomi descent, and is a National Ambassador of Hope, youth advocate, and influencer from Walpole Island, Bkejwanong Territory, ON. He is passionate about his community and loves sharing his experiences and culture with others through his content. Eagle makes videos that promote awareness, inspire others, and showcase the beauty of his culture. He also loves to add a touch of humor to his content and make people laugh, “Laughter is good medicine” says Eagle. He’s excited to see what the future holds and how he can continue to make a positive impact in his community.
Emily Granville, 26, is an Odawa-Cree student from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, ON. She learned trumpet and piano while in high school, after which they attended Cambrian College for Music Performance, opting to major in piano. Now in the Bachelor of Music program at Wilfrid Laurier University, she aspires to further their career and education in music, with an interest in composition, performance and ethnomusicology. Emily has participated and is involved within the Indigenous community and music; being involved as a National Indigenous Ambassador of Youth with We Matter, part of the Indigenous Northern Ontario Mentorship Program with mentor Nick Sherman, taking part in the Indigenous Classical Music Gathering at Banff Centre in Banff, AB, and volunteering as a piano teacher for the Community Music School of Waterloo Region. Going into the second year as an AOH for We Matter, Emily would like to reach out to Indigenous youth by becoming more involved and bringing harm reduction tools through musical expression.
Ai! My name is Kayla, I am a 24-year-old Inuk woman from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. Beader, seamstress, and cat mom.
Keyhew Gopher-Preston (ᑭᐦᐃᐤ) Is a proud Nehiyaw Cree From Saulteaux First Nation, Treaty Six Territory. Keyhew was born and raised in The Traditional Territory Of Treaty Six Saskatchewan Canada, The Homelands of the Cree, Dene, Dakota, Nakoda, Blackfoot, Ojibway, Saulteaux and the Métis. He was raised with his Traditional values and taught to be proud of who he is as a First Nation person of Canada.
Keyhew is a Life & Wellness Coach, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Youth Advocate, Mental Health Advocate, National Ambassador Of Hope for We Matter and Youth Representative for Saulteaux First Nation.
Makadae-Makoons Boissoneau, 25, is an Ojibwe and Bodewami from Ketenguanseebee (Garden River F.N) From Indigenous Sport Youth Advocate to Indigenous Youth Advocate for mental health and suicide awareness, His currently an National Ambassador of Hope with We Matter an Indigenous Organizations to help Indigenous youth and students overcome their stuggles, Makadae-Makoons is passionate about Traveling, Networking, Photography, Graphic Design and Improving Indigenous communities and he wants to continue to make an positive impact to his community.
Tansi, my name is Nicole Tornquist, my pronouns are she/her I am a 29-year-old Indigenous woman from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. I graduated high school from Margaret Barbour Collegiate. I then continued my education at University College of the North and completed my Business Administration majoring in Management. I am a National Ambassador of Hope for We Matter, a Reconcilliaton Ambassador and Exchange Champion for Experiences Canada, Manitoba 150 Youth Ambassador and an Indigenous 150+ Youth Ambassador. In 2019 I was the successful Candidate for Junir Onekanew (Chief), I now have the great honors to proudly represent my community of Opaskwayak Cree Nation.
Pietra Banks, 21, is a Dene woman and a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, AB. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education at Red Deer Polytechnic. Pietra is passionate about Indigenous issues and has collaborated with various organizations to examine reconciliation, youth mental health, and Indigenous education. She is the President of the Indigenous Student Group at her school and hopes to enhance the experience of Indigenous students while they pursue post-secondary education. Pietra believes it is never too late to be a changemaker or a positive role model within the community.
Sean Bernard, 17, is proud and a part of the Cree nation from Waterhen Lake First Nation. Northwest of Saskatchewan.
National Ambassadors of Hope Mentors:
Gage Perley is a Wolastoqiyik & Mi’kmaq artist from from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), New Brunswick. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Native Studies and Criminology from St. Thomas University. He is passionate about the arts, a multimedia artist who has filmed one Documentary and has had his artwork displayed in the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Gage is also passionate about Indigenous issues such as systemic racism, education, health (mainly diabetes education & mental health) and Youth empowerment.
Keenan Bird, 27, is an Anishinaabe/ Ojibway man from Rolling River First Nation, MB on Treaty 4 Territory & currently resides in Mistawasis First Nation, SK on Treaty 6 Territory. He is educated in commerce, indigenous governance, policy, mental health and web design. He is creating his dream to work & travel internationally to unite indigenous youths across the globe. He has worked with 150+ countries around the globe, and +500 communities throughout Canada. Keenan is dedicated to learning various cultures, volunteering with various communities across Canada & around the globe, as well as attending/ learning Indigenous traditions. Most of all, inspiring Indigenous youth by showing them that “The Impossible Is Possible”.
Kendel has taught over 100 cultural workshops and performed in over 75 different communities with the Edmonton Métis Traditional Dancers. Kendel is a role-model and advocate for Indigenous youth whom, over the course of her 5-year career, has developed a skill set directly relevant to teach about Hope, Culture and Strength, including creative thinking, leadership, and lesson planning. Overall, Kendel has consistently demonstrated her abilities as a public figure and as a Youth Worker for East Haven Home, Youth Career Motivator for East Prairie Métis Settlement, and an Executive Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator for the Alberta Indigenous Games; all of which are Indigenous owned and operated businesses.
Logan Beauchamp, 25, Two-Spirit Métis, and single father to a 3 year old girl. As a proud member of the Metis Nation of Alberta and a dedicated advocate for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, Logan brings a unique perspective and a powerful voice wherever they go. In Logan’s current job as National Coordinator of 2SLGBTQQIA+ Initiatives at Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, they lead and coordinate national initiatives in support of 2SLGBTQQIA+ Métis community members. With a background in political science, Logan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to their work, particularly in the areas of policy development, event planning, and community engagement. They are passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health and promoting healthy communities, and they strive to make a positive impact in all of their endeavours.