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:

Alannah Mckay (She/Her/Kwe) is an AnishinininewKwe based in Treaty One Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with community ties from Berens River, MB and Muskrat Dam, Ont. She is currently attaining her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba, focusing on Indigenous Studies. Alannah has extensive experience in advocacy, community building and engagement. Alannah served in several elected community leadership positions, from student governance to boards of directors. She focuses on advocacy and policy work for Indigenous and non-Indigenous grassroots and national non-profit organizations. Alannah is passionate about capacity-building and creating safer spaces by combating systems of oppression for Indigenous youth. In her free time, Alannah enjoys beading, learning her language and spending time with her pets and loved ones. As the Managing Director of We Matter, Alannah hopes to continue making space by supporting and uplifting Indigenous youth.

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.

Alyssa Trick nindizhinikaaz. Asinawe-Asimook nindizhinikaaz Anishinaabemong. Alderville FN nindonjibaa. Ajijaak indoodem. Alyssa Trick, also known as Asinawe-Asimook, is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous youth empowerment and wellness. Hailing from Alderville First Nation and having resided in Kwadacha First Nation for the past two years as a full-time educator, Alyssa brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to her Anishinaabe roots. Throughout her academic journey, Alyssa actively engaged in various leadership roles. For three years, she served as a Student Senator and Trustee for the Hastings and Prince Edward County School Board, where she demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence and student representation. In her university years, Alyssa’s involvement with the Senate was complemented by her role as the Indigenous Students Circle Representative, advocating for the needs and aspirations of Indigenous students within the institution. Additionally, she served as the Associate Vice President of Student Life for The Students General Association, fostering a vibrant campus community and prioritizing the well-being of all students. Alyssa’s passion lies in working with youth, particularly Indigenous youth, with a focus on promoting wellness, advocating for mental health, and supporting healing journeys to break the cycles of intergenerational trauma. Her commitment to creating positive change and empowering young minds is unwavering, fueled by a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities. As Alyssa embarks on her new role with We Matter, she brings with her a compassionate heart, a strong sense of cultural identity, and a desire to make a lasting impact in the lives of those she serves. With her expertise in education, community engagement, and youth development, Alyssa is poised to contribute significantly to the growth and well-being of individuals and communities alike.

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.

Board of Directors

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