We Matter was started in 2016 by siblings Kelvin and T’áncháy Redvers. Overwhelmed by the number of suicides and other issues Indigenous youth face, they wanted to create a space that connects Indigenous youth across the country and provides support and love through culture and sharing.
Meet our incredible We Matter team of Indigenous young people and aunties/uncles spread across the country:
Born with mixed Cree and German ancestry, Nitanis was born and raised in Saskatoon with her indigenous nation being Mistawasis First Nations. She identifies as an asexual aromantic member of the queer community. She received a Sociology degree from the University of British Columbia and worked with the BC Ministry and Child and Family Development and the Indigenous theater company Savage Society under the Indigenous Youth Internship Program. Currently Nitanis lives in beautiful Surrey BC with her two ferrets, Doctor Frankenstein and The Monster, where she also uses her free time to volunteer for the Vancouver Island Ferret Education and Rescue Team (V.I. FERT). She enjoys Indigenous culture, tea, video games and talking to her family.
Aaniin, Alyssa Trick nindizhinikaaz minwa ajiijaak nindoodem. My traditional name is Asinawe-Asimook. I currently reside on the traditional lands of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. I am deaf in my right ear since birth living with Microtia, which is a congenital deformity where my external and inner ear is underdeveloped.
As the Youth and Engagement Lead for We Matter and a certified educator in British Columbia, I have over 9 years of experience in creating and delivering culturally relevant and impactful programs for Indigenous youth and communities.
I hold a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree, and I have multiple certifications in areas such as yoga, mental health aids, and accessibility. Currently, I work with We Matter, a national Indigenous-led organization that supports Indigenous youth through peer-to-peer support, relationship building, youth empowerment, and life promotion. In addition, I co-founded Rooted in Nature, a non-profit organization that focuses on outdoor education.
Youth empowerment is my passion, and I love promoting life through outdoor education and providing accessible movement through trauma-informed care.
Jena Ashley (She/Her) is a Cree and settler mix who began her journey reconnecting to her community throughout highschool and University. Jena is a member of Kashechewan First Nation, born in Moose Factory, ON, and raised in Temiskaming Shores, ON. She is currently occupying the unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory in Ottawa, ON. Jena graduated from the University of Guelph February 2022 with her Bachelor’s of Arts. Jena’s dedication to her roots and cultural identity is evident throughout her life. During her time at University, Jena held several student leadership positions with the Indigenous Student Society, Guelph Central Student Association, and the Circle of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Students. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys immersing herself in video games, reading, and beading.
Kinship: Cousins honouring the collective of We Matter
Jenny Lay is a First Nations woman from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation who uses her valuable life experiences as a tool to empower others and to create change on various levels. She has served on various boards and has presented nationally and internationally, and is passionate about topics relating to Indigenous youth mental health, violence against Indigenous women and girls, Canada’s youth social protection systems, and Indigenous people with disabilities. As an intergenerational Residential School Survivor and an impacted MMIWG2S+ family member, she has used her voice and expertise to make change for children left behind by violence and to guide her in her previous work with families of MMIWG2S+ and survivors of gender-based violence. Jenny has an educational background in psychology and mental health, event coordination, project management, and graphic design. She currently works with We Matter, an Indigenous youth organization, and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology part time.
Jordon Davis is multi-disciplinary visual arts and member of the Dene Tha’ First Nation in Alberta. With a year of design studies at MacEwan University and a self-directed study of traditional Indigenous beadwork and film, Jordon’s arts practice is expansive and deeply personal. In her work, she is passionate about weaving contemporary expression with traditional style. A testament to her creativity and skill – Jordon was selected to complete a beadwork residency at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre in Whitehorse, Yukon. In her film work, Jordon received the distinguished best video award at the Powell River Film fest for her submission “Resisting by Existing” (2022). She is passionate about working with the community as a part of various organizations.
Board of Directors & Guiding Council
Kelvin Redvers is a Dene filmmaker and storyteller born and raised in Hay River, NWT. Through his career in media, he has created television shows, narrative films, and worked in journalism. Co-founding We Matter alongside his sibling T’áncháy is one of the things he is most proud of in life.
T’áncháy Redvers is a mixed Dene & Métis 2spirit advocate, writer, creator, oral storyteller and multidisciplinary performer belonging to Deninu K’ue First Nation in Treaty 8 territory. In 2016, T’áncháy and their brother, Kelvin, co-founded We Matter, a national Indigenous-led campaign and non-profit dedicated to Indigenous youth hope and life promotion. Since then, We Matter has become an international model for Indigenous youth mental wellness and life promotion, garnering the Redvers siblings the Lawson Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Award and a Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal. T’áncháy is also a published poet, children’s book author and screenwriter, as well as featured in numerous creative, anthology and academic publications. They have advocated for Indigenous youth mental health, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, human rights, and authentic media representation & storytelling at local, national and international levels for over a decade. T’áncháy is also a member of BIPOC TV & Film’s Board of Directors/Visioning Committee, an organization working to uproot barriers for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour across Canada’s screen media industry.
Matthew is a Wiisaakodewinini person from Waawiiye’adinong-ziibing currently residing in Animikii-wiikwedong. He is a certified teacher currently pursuing higher level studies. Matthew is a singer and language learner who is passionate about empowering Indigenous youth. He has been a part of the We Matter family in different capacities since 2018.
Alexia is a Mi’kmaw woman with ancestral ties to Listuguj. She lives on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin people, colonially known as “Ottawa”. She has worked in community for almost 10 years and is passionate about continuing to advocate for systemic change for equity deserving groups across Turtle Island. Alexia is considered an Auntie by many youth in her community and is honoured to get to travel and become an Auntie for other Indigenous youth. Alexia has just completed the coursework for her Masters in Counselling and is passionate about serving Indigenous community throughout her career. She works actively at Indigenizing counselling practice as well as mental health knowledge and understanding. Alexia is motivated by the seven generations teaching and understands that every thing she does in her lifetime will continue to impact those seven generations from her. With this she walks carefully through life, aiming to always be known as a Helper by practicing teachings of humility, bravery, and truth as she advocates for equity for Indigenous folks.
Regan Ratt-Misponas is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and grew up in Pinehouse, located in Northern Saskatchewan. He attends the University of Saskatchewan, enrolled in the Indian Teacher’s Education Program (ITEP), where he plans to obtain his B.Ed. Growing up in the north, Regan was often involved in community leadership and served as Junior Mayor of Pinehouse at the age of 12. This instilled an interest in political involvement.
While attending the U of S, Regan was elected President of the Indigenous Students’ Council (ISC), serving from 2017-2019. He was then elected as President of the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU), being the fifth Indigenous person to serve in the role throughout the 110 year history of the organization. His term ended April 30, 2020. Despite colonization, Regan is a proud Nēhiyāw man living in Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Homeland today.
Partners
The work of We Matter wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support of the following organizations who believe in a world where indigenous youth have the resources to overcome hardship and struggles with mental health and suicide.
Our model of sharing messages of hope and resilience is based on the It Gets Better Project, an initiative started in the U.S. to share videos of hope and positivity with LGBTQ youth who may be contemplating suicide.
National Partners
Organizational Partners
Service Partners
