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 2024/2025:
Hi, I’m Aydan Joachim. I’m an 18 year old indigenous woman. I am Aseniwuche Winewak from treaty 8 territory in Alberta, but currently reside in Edmonton while attending school.
I could be found playing sports (snowboarding, hockey, ball), dancing at powwow, working within indigenous communities to assist in making sure our youth are taken care of, partaking in ceremonies in my culture, or having a good laugh with people.
I’m an advocate for indigenous women who have been domestically abused, and sexually assaulted. I also advocate for children in abuse situations and that are at risk. As well as for reconnection to culture.
Brian Thorn is a 30 year old Indigenous male from Regina, Sk, and Pasqua First Nation, residing in Prince Albert, Sk. Brian is a Youth Mentor with John Howard Society of Saskatchewan. He is passionate about this role because he is able to be a positive role model to the youth and be someone that they can look and turn to during their struggles, as he needed when he was younger. Brian’s story is filled with success and inspiration about overcoming struggles with addiction, poverty, gang life and incarceration. He enjoys giving back to society in any way, whether it be volunteering at non-profit organizations, helping elders with yard work or helping people on the streets.
Ceana Shannacappo, from ditibinaye-ziibiing, Rolling River First Nation located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am an old style fancy shawl dancer, I also dance jingle. I have a 6 month old baby boy named Niigaanii. Currently finishing grade 12 with new direction. I love beading and sewing in my free time. I also play for the GB panthers volleyball team which I enjoy.
I’m Chamique Sokwaypnace, Plains Cree from Little Pine First Nation but resign in Saulteaux First Nation my second home. Currently on my education journey, healing journey to bring that good medicine back to our community. An advocate for self-care and education. I’m an artist, who enjoys painting on my free time. Art has always been a great way to express my emotions, or to show gratitude.
Chelsea is a 24 year old Indigenous youth registered to Muskoday First Nation in Saskatchewan, residing in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Currently, she is going into her final year of Indigenous Social Work at First Nations University of Canada, a supervisor within the John Howard Society, Peer advocate with Talking Stick and a Student Ambassador at First Nations University. Chelsea has a passion for advocacy, mental health, suicide prevention and life promotion, walking alongside people during their healing journey. She believes that culture is protection and healing. Chelsea also focuses a lot on sharing her story of healing by sharing her journey of substance misuse, mental health, and how being bullied caused her to become the bully.
Eagle Blackbird is a 21-year-old Indigenous youth leader and influencer from Walpole Island First Nation, Bkejwanong Territory, Ontario. He has gained over 1 million followers on TikTok, and is passionate about his community and loves sharing his experiences and culture with others through his content. Eagle uses his platforms as a way to share his voice, humour, and spread awareness about his people. Creating videos has given him a purpose of making others laugh and become an inspiring indigenous youth for his community. In his own words: ‘Laughter is good medicine.”
My name is Larissa Wrightman. My pronouns are she/her. My spirit name is Waagosh Dinaan Mowiin Kwe. I am a member of the bear clan and am an Anishinaabe Kwe of Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chippewa descent.
I am a youth that just turned 29 on January 31st of this year. I identify as a First Nations member from Bkejwanong Territory, also known as Walpole Island First Nation.
My passion includes volunteerism, working out (cardio, lifting, yoga), exploring nature, watching movies, travelling, reading, and spending quality time with my family, cat and friends.
I am thankful to have had the chance to advocate for youth as a Bkejwanong Youth Councillor and I am grateful to continue to advocate for youth as an Ambassador of Hope. I am excited to bring beautiful energy to Turtle Island with We Matter.
Morgan LaBoucane, 27, is a Nêhiyaw (plains cree) Métis and mixed settler indigiqueer who grew up in the mountains on Treaty 6 territory. She now resides on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw , Snaw-naw-as , and Stzu’minus. She is a trauma informed health practitioner and is a young entrepreneur owning her own wellness clinic. Morgan is a mental health, wellness and suicide prevention advocate who practices traditional medicines, and holistic ways to take care of the mind, body and spirit. Her passions lie in herbalism, learning from and tending to the land, and getting out into the bush as much as possible. Morgan can also be found in her spare time snuggling with her two cats, beading, or jumping into the ocean.
Makadae-Makoons Boissoneau, 26, 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 struggles, 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.
Pietra Banks is a 22-year-old Denesųłiné woman from the K’ai Tailé Dené (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), located within Treaty 8 territory. She currently resides within Treaty 6 & 7 territory. Pietra is pursuing a Bachelor of Education at Red Deer Polytechnic. Deeply committed to Indigenous issues, Pietra has actively collaborated with various organizations to address reconciliation, youth mental health, and Indigenous education. She firmly believes it is never too late to become a changemaker and a positive role model within the community.
My name is Samantha (or Sam), I’m 19 years old and a Nunatsiavut Inuk living in Happy-Valley Goose-Bay, NL. I am a drum dancer and advocate for Indigenous rights and issues as well as harm reduction. I also am on several committees and boards focused on preserving and promoting Indigenous voices and ideas.
National Ambassadors of Hope Mentors:
Emily Granville 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 Hope with We Matter, performing and composing their own piece through Paprika Theatre Festival and the Northern Ontario Music & Film Awards, taking part in the Indigenous Classical Music Gathering at Banff Centre in Banff, AB, as well as volunteering as a piano teacher for the Community Music School of Waterloo Region.
Keenan Bird, is an Anishinaabe/ Ojibway man from Rolling River First Nation, MB on Treaty 4 Territory & currently resides in Mistawasis Nehiyawak, SK on Treaty 6 Territory. He is educated in international commerce, indigenous governance, policy, mental health, and IT/web design. Keenan currently works with 3 national and 2 international organizations, He is a “Powerful indigenous youth voice” and is currently creating his dream to work & travel internationally to unite indigenous youths across the globe. He has worked with 150+ countries, +500 communities throughout Canada and inspired +10,000 Youth. Keenan is dedicated to learning various cultures, volunteering with various communities across Canada and the globe, as well attending/ learning Indigenous traditions. Most of all, inspiring Indigenous youth by showing them that “The Impossible Is Possible”.
