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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDSHIP CENTRES

36TH NATIONAL YOUTH FORUM

REVITALIZING ROOTS: HEALING THROUGH THE LAND

VICTORIA INN, BRANDON, MANITOBA

JULY 24-26, 2026

Welcome Message

CALEY-RAIN ANDERSON

On behalf of the Indigenous Youth Council, I want to welcome everyone to the 36th Annual Youth Forum hosted by the Brandon Friendship Centre in collaboration with the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres. We are honored and thankful to be here on Dakota Oyate, Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anisininew, Dene and Red River Metis Territory this year.

This year the IYC has chosen the theme "Revitalizing Our Roots: Healing Through the Land.” We wanted to focus on renewing our sacred connection with the land as urban Indigenous youth In this forum, we wanted to remind youth that when we take care of the land, the land takes care of us.

Over the next few days, I hope that you make new friendships and memories. This space is yours and we welcome you to it. By being here today, you all are helping build and strengthen the future of the Friendship Centre Movement

Travel Day

Thursday, July 23, 2026

We are so excited to welcome youth from across Canada to Brandon!

Please join us for an evening of cultural crafts, board games and icebreakers. This event will be an opportunity for folks to get creative, have fun, make new friends and win some cool prizes. Snacks and refreshments provided.

Day 1

Friday, July 24, 2026

VICTORIA INN

8:00 am

9:00 am

Registration Opens

Breakfast Buffet Provided

OPENING CEREMONIES

Opening Prayers & Remarks

Master of Ceremony Madelaine McCallum and Darren Sutherland

Opening Prayers

Frank Tacan, First Nations Elder

Verna Demontigny, Metis Elder

Martha Palmer, Inuk Elder

Lighting of the Quilliq

Drumming, Richard McKay

Opening Remarks

Will Goodon, Manitoba Métis Federation

IYC Manitoba Youth Representative, Neveah Munroe

Welcome to the Territory, Pending, Brandon Board Representativ

Remarks from NAFC CEO, Jennifer Rankin

Introduction to NAFC Acting Youth Manager, Jenna Chisholm

10:00 am

10:15 am

MORNING ENERGIZER ACTIVITY Rock Paper Scissors!

The last person standing wins a prize!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 1

Braden Kadlun-Johnston, Kugluktuk, NU

Braden Kadlun will be sharing a brief overview of who the Inuit are and the realities of northern Canada This background is integral in laying the foundation for his sobriety journey Braden’s story is one of success through suffering He shares about his time in active addiction, unique post-secondary experience, and what recovery looks like for him now. This includes how his connection to culture and Nuna (land) have evolved while living urban and navigating the red road. One of the most prominent aspects of Braden’s healing journey are the tools that have guided him, from his book A Guide to Sobriety: 10 Gentle Reminders Committed to finding a way forward through recovery Braden created these reminders to keep himself accountable and sturdy through the most unstable point of his life

Day 1 - Friday, July 24, 2026 - Victoria Inn

10:15 am

FRENCH PLENARY PRESENTATION

1:30 pm

Connecting Land, Language and Identity

Moderated by Aby-Gaelle Jerome

Panelists: TBD

Break & Time to get your translation devices Lunch Provided

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY

IYC Strategic Plan

Facilitated by the Indigenous Youth overview of the draft Strategic plan a Movement

Snacks and refreshments provided Zumba with Desa

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 2

Jennifer Brazeau, Centre d’amitié au

Jennifer Brazeau, Executive Directo

Anishinaabe from Kitigan Zibi Anish she was inspired in part by the yout starting to run in her 40s to eventua physical activity helped her reconne her reflections on wellness, coherence, and decolonization

Grounded in lived experience, Jennifer speaks honestly about discomfort, discipline, and the challenge of living the values we encourage in others, while reflecting on how youth can influence and transform the adults in their lives.

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Day 2

Saturday, July 25, 2026

VICTORIA INN

8:00 am

Breakfast Buffet Provided

Opening Prayers & Remarks

Opening Prayers

Martha Palmer, Inuk Elder

Opening Remarks

MC Welcoming and House Keeping

Welcoming Remarks from IYC Interim Vice President, Ethan Cameron

NAFC Indigenous Youth Council Business & Q&A

2025 Youth Forum Minutes presented by Nadya Comeau

2025-2026 Youth Report Presentation by Caley-Rain Anderson and Samantha Jack, joined by the Indigenous Youth Council

AM Overview by Jenna Chisholm

Elections Overview by Jenna Chisholm

10:00 am

9:15 am 10:15 am Grand Salon Grand Salon Grand Salon

12:00 pm 9:00 am

Break & verify voting emails at registration

IYC Elections

Vice-President and Treasurer (both are a 2-year term)

Nominations, speeches and voting

Elections Overview- James Lavallee, Acting Programs Manager

Lunch Provided

Day 2 - Saturday, July 25, 2026 - Victoria Inn

1:00 pm Grand Salon

2:15

PLENARY PANEL PRESENTATION

‘Maintaining

Connection to Land as Urban Indigenous Youth’

Moderated by Nevaeh Munroe

Panelists: Ethan Cameron, Theland Kicknosway

Join members of the Indigenous Youth Council for a powerful conversation on sustaining relationships with land, culture, and identity while living in urban spaces This panel will explore the challenges of disconnection, the resilience of Indigenous youth, and the innovative ways they are reclaiming and reimagining traditions, culture and connection to land

IYC Strategic Plan

On-the-land Activities and Learning

Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre

Waterways Recreation is a youth-focused, Indigenous-led non-profit organization that delivers canoe programs that promote wellness and culturally relevant recreation to Indigenous youth across Manitoba.

Our goals for the afternoon:

Connect with land, water, and community through play and shared experience

Meet new people and build relationships in a relaxed, outdoor setting

Learn basic water safety and paddling fundamentals

Explore plants, animals, and shoreline knowledge in a meaningful way

Experience canoeing as a cultural and healing practice

Rideau Hall

Through hands-on activities and guided discussion, youth will explore the connections between land, learning, and community wellbeing The session will highlight how land-based learning supports identity, balance, and healing, and how it can be meaningfully integrated into teaching practices, particularly for urban Indigenous youth reconnecting with land, language, and community

Facilitators will also share their own journeys into teaching, positioning education as a pathway to give back, strengthen community, and carry Indigenous knowledge forward for future generations.

7:30-9:30PM

ENTERTAINMENT NIGHT

AWARDS | MUSIC | DANCE | COMMUNITY

ASHAM STOMPERS

TheAsham Stompersare a fun, highenergy jig and square dance group, whose mission is to recapture and preserve the history of the Métis people through the RedRiver Jig mixed with square dance.

DJ THE KAPTAIN

The Kaptain, a two-spirit DJ from Treaty 1 Territory, is a master of blending Inuk and Anishinaabe culture with raw, electrifying beats, EDM, hip-hop, and powwow.

DEEDEE AUSTIN

DeeDee Austin, a 20-year-old Indigenous Pop Powerhouse and member of the Abegweit First Nation on PEI DeeDee, who you could call a hybrid artist, embraces both contemporary and traditional Indigenous music, which she incorporates into each of her infectious, high-energy performances. DeeDee’s authentic songwriting is bringing her recognition not only in the Atlantic Provinces but across the Nation

ASHAM STOMPERS DJ THE KAPTAIN DEEDEE AUSTIN

Day 3

Sunday, July 26, 2026

VICTORIA INN

8:00 am

Breakfast Buffet Provided

Meet in the Victoria Inn lobby for 9:00 am. Transportation to Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre 9:00 am

pm 9:45 am 1:00 pm 2:30 pm

On-the-land Activities and Learning

Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre

Opening Prayer

Metis Elder

Opening Remarks

MC Welcoming and Housekeeping

Remarks from NAFC IYC President, Caley-Rain Anderson

On the land learning stations

Hide processing, talking sticks, willow dream catchers, medicine teachings and slingshot making

pm 3:00 pm

Lunch Provided, Bannock over the Fire

Closing Prayer

Elder Frank Tacan Sr

Annual Meeting Opening Ceremony Begins On the land learning stations continued Wrap Up &

Hide processing, talking sticks, willow dream catchers, medicine teachings and slingshot making

End of the National Youth Forum and Travel back to Victoria Inn

Executive Committee INDIGENOUS YOUTH COUNCIL

Caley-Rain

Anderson

President

Caley-Rain Anderson is a nêhiyaw and South Sudanese woman residing inRegina Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 Territory She hails from George Gordon First Nation, with her father's roots in the Dinka Tribe of South Sudan Born and raised on Unceded Algonquin Territory in Ottawa, Ontario, she relocated to Regina to pursue her educational ambitions and earned a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from the First Nations University of Canada in June 2024

Caley-Rain is an educator and facilitator and is the Cultural Humility Facilitator at the Nêwo YôtinaFriendship Centre in Regina. She is the President on the National Indigenous Youth Council for the National Association of Friendship Centres Caley-Rain is looking to create more safe spaces for Afro-Indigenous youth across Turtle Island and continue anti-racism and anti-oppression work as a youth. She is a beadwork artist and avid seamstress in her free time where her creations are worn all throughout Turtle Island.

Nadya Comeau Secretary

Ethan Cameron is Néhiyawak (Cree) and is a proud member of Saulteau First Nations located in Moberly Lake, BC, residing on Treaty 8 Territory. Ethan is a youth advocate within his small community in both Moberly Lake and Chetwynd, and loves to take on innovative projects that can positively impact his community

Ethan has served on their local Friendship Centres’ board of directors, and the BCAAFC board of directors They are also a member of the BCAAFC’s Provincial Indigenous Youth Council and the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council as a representative for the Tansi Friendship Centre Society where he advocates for northern indigenous youth at both the provincial and national level. He is passionate about community building, land and cultural heritage conservation, and 2SLGBTQIA+ wellness Ethan currently works for his nation as a Youth Support Coordinator doing the work he’s most passionate about

Ethan also has a strong interest in pop culture Captivated by the world of entertainment, they have contributed to various projects within the TV industry This passion led to him working on several tv shows for APTN and being cast on “Merchants of the Wild” Season 4

Aby-Gaëlle Jérômeis an Innu youth from Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, on the traditional territory of the Innu in Sept-Îles, QC She is passionate about advocacy for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and serves as president of the Sept-Îles Friendship Centre youth council and recently finished their term as youth representative on the North Shore Community Association board

Aby-Gaëlle also coaches a local badminton team and works at her community’s women’s shelter. Her summer work with the Honourable Michèle Audette sparked a growing interest in politics and leadership In her spare time, she enjoys musicals, film, and card collecting

Nadya Comeau is a Metis-Acadian woman living in the Lekwungen territory of Victoria, B C She is the Secretary of the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council, and a Library Coordinator at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. She is an advocate for youth and child literacy, and works at expanding the reach of Indigenous literature In her free time, Nadya is an artist, beader, and aerial hoopist She is excited to use her skills in administration and organization to keep the Youth Council on track and focused on planning the future.

Ethan Cameron

INDIGENOUS YOUTH COUNCIL

Samantha Jack is an Indigenous youth member from Nuu Chah Nulth and Yale First Nations. She is a youth advocate, facilitator, and cultural practitioner who guides in decolonial, reconciliatory, and Indigeneity work with organizations With an academic background in political science, from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and her brief studies at Harvard University, Samantha aims to decolonize and address barriers within systems, policies, and spaces.

Samantha’s work and practices have been inspired through learning from many urban Indigenous leaders. She believes she is not alone in her voice or work, and strongly believes she is a product and reflection of the amazing and inspiring people in her life Samantha will continue to expand her knowledge and create positive change in her community spaces and urges others to walk alongside her

Executive Committee Regional Representatives

INDIGENOUS YOUTH COUNCIL

Melanie Nasson is Mi'kmaw from Millbrook First Nation of Mi'kma'ki. Her father's side is from Millbrook First Nation and mother's side is from Membertou First Nation She has lived in the city of Halifax for 8 years Melanie works at the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre as Youth Workshop Coordinator, where she coordinates and facilitates workshops for urban Indigenous youth.

You can often find Melanie outdoors and spending time in nature, whether it be hiking, camping, bird watching, or photography Melanie loves beading, painting, learning her language, and spending time with her loved ones.

Nevaeh is Anishinaabe and Nehiyawak from Treaty 2 Territory They are a two spirited and queer fancyshawl dancer They serve as the Manitoba youth representative, and work at the Riverton & District Friendship Centre as an activity worker They often take up projects such as mural work, regalia, and art shows for their mixed media. They have also won an award for their piece “Colonization”.

Nevaeh resides in a small community and are extremely driven by it, consistently volunteering, taking part in ceremony, and creating connections Nevaeh strives to advocate for environmental justice, accessibility for neurodiversity, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous rights. They seek to further their training and education in harm reduction, crisis responding, and learning how to Indigenize such spaces

Anyssa Ford is currently attending York University studying in the Law and Society program. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, she is Afro-Indigenous with roots in both Canada and Jamaica. Anyssa works at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) in the Youth Department as the Oshkaabewis (helper) in the youth drop-in program Anyssa enjoys working with youth - an experience that has not only been fulfilling but has also inspired a deeper passion for supporting youth in the mental health sector.

Anyssa is the Ontario regional representative on the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council In her free time, Anyssa enjoys different types of art like beading, drawing, and making merchandise designs She also enjoys dancing and is a part of two KPOP Dance Cover crews and creates her own choreography.

Samantha Jack

NAFC Youth Executive

Nevaeh Munroe

Anyssa Ford Ontario Representative

Regional Representatives INDIGENOUS YOUTH COUNCIL

Theland Kicknosway

Theland Kicknosway is an Indigenous youth trailblazer who utilizes his voice to spread his message and showcase Indigenous culture. Theland has gained international recognition as a traditional singer, Hoop Dancer, activist & influencer. His path-breaking efforts have been highlighted by Nike, Disney, and BBC, and he has performed across the world including the World Expo in Dubai, the United Nations in Switzerland, and even on the court for the Toronto Raptors Additionally, Theland has made a name for himself as a staple on social media under the moniker @the landk. With an engaging community reaching over half a million followers and over 10 million accumulated “likes” In his 21st year in the Physical World, Theland continues to shine Theland currently serves on the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council as the regional representative for Saskatchewan

Quebec Representative

Alberta Representative

Shawerim Coocoo is from the Atikamekw community of Wemotaci and now lives in La Tuque, Québec

A proud member of the Atikamekw Nation, she works as a health and wellness advisor at the Capetciwotakanik Friendship Center Deeply involved in projects that focus on youth, well-being, and cultural pride, she’s passionate about storytelling, creativity, and Indigenous midwifery.

Shawerim is the Quebec regional representative on the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council She is dedicated to uplifting the next generations and creating space for Indigenous voices to shine. She’s excited to meet youth from across the country, share experiences, and build strong connections rooted in who we are and where we come from

Davina Smith is a Blackfoot community focused individual who supports Indigenous youth across Southern Alberta through culturally grounded employment and life skills programming. She currently serves as the Alberta regional representative on the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council. Davina is known for creating learning spaces where people feel supported, confident, and capable

Outside of her work, Davina is a cultural learner who takes part in traditional ways of life. Her approach is rooted in connection, culture, and the belief that all youth thrive when given dignity, opportunity, and meaningful support

Shawerim Coocoo

Davina Smith

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Braden Kadlun

Braden Kadlun is an Inuit storyteller and advocate dedicated to sharing and preserving Inuit culture, resilience, and healing. Braden’s journey of advocacy for Inuit ways of life began in 2017 After sharing a ‘sealfie’ of himself wearing a sealskin parka created for him by his mother as a graduation present, the photo went viral and prompted a wide-ranging conversation about traditional Inuit practices and ways of living. He has since immersed himself in content creation by sharing language, traditional food, and his sobriety journey His work reflects a deep commitment to fostering understanding between communities and empowering youth to embrace their heritage.

Jennifer Brazeau

ennifer Brazeau, Executive Director of the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Lanaudière CAAL), Anishinaabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, mother of two and kokum of hree, will share how she was inspired in part by the youth of her centre to begin her wn wellness journey. From starting to run in her 40s to eventually completing a 50 m trail race, she reflects on how physical activity helped her reconnect with the eachings of the Medicine Wheel and deepen her reflections on wellness, coherence, nd decolonization.

Madelaine McCallum

Madelaine McCallum is a gifted dancer, energy mover, facilitator, and MC whose work is rooted in authenticity, resilience, and connection. Originally from the Métis community of Île-à-la-Crosse in Treaty 10 Territory, Saskatchewan, she brings a gentle yet powerful presence to every stage she steps onto Her journey is one of courage and transformation; leaving her home community with a commitment to breaking cycles of addiction, Madelaine has turned personal challenges into a source of strength and inspiration Whether moving audiences through dance, guiding transformative experiences, or facilitating meaningful conversations, she helps others recognize their own potential, embrace self-belief, and reconnect with the invisible ng hope, healing, and the reminder that we are

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Darren Sutherland

Darren Sutherland is Cree, a member of Fort Albany First Nation, who has spent the better part of his life in Algonquin territory. His brother hunts and fishes, his sister beads and dances, but Darren is the urban one in the family. He did inherit his mother’s love of storytelling, though Darren believes that laughter and shared stories are powerful ways to build community A former radio host and stand-up comedian, he brings warmth, humour, and heart to the spaces he’spart of, especially when it means helping people connect, reflect, and celebrate together

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