Media

Finding Our Power Together launched an online mental and spiritual health program in summer 2020. Since the beginning of the program, more than 80 youth from across Turtle Island have participated! In an effort to learn more, TVO spoke with Nicole Ineese-Nash about Building Our Bundle and the importance and need for this program.  

Shelby Lisk (7 May 2021).

Yuma Hester and Ashley Maracle are part of the 13-member Bawaadan Collective. The all-Indigenous collective is looking to help a youth create a short horror film which would be screened in the youth's community. The collective is working on this project in partnership with Finding Our Power Together, another Indigenous creative group, to help mentor a youth in southern Ontario to produce a short film. Lenard Monkman (12 July 2020).

COVID-19 has made it difficult for the FOPT team to travel to Nibinamik to continue their community programming. As a way to maintain connections with the community and help young people manage their stress during this difficult time, FOPT has thus provided Nibinamik youth with reflective journals. They have also received a grant to purchase tablets for their online mental health program. Jeff Walters (28 May 2020).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FOPT team has taken a leadership role in coordinating, collecting, and sending materials such as PPE and educational supplies to remote First Nations communities in northern Ontario including Nibinamik, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), and Eabametoong.

Bonte Minnema (8 May 2020).

With increased isolation during the COVID pandemic, the FOPT team is working very hard to put a program in place to support young people who are suicidal. A micro-grant of $5000 was given to the FOPT team to purchase 10 phones that are preloaded with mental health supports and activities for the youth in Nibinamik. This team  will also purchase 150 prepaid calling vouchers to help youth stay connected.

Alastair Sharp (1 May 2020).

On March 3rd, the Nibinamik Youth Council organized the Finding Our Power Together fundraising event at Ryerson University. This event was held to gain support for the community and help them in their fight against a youth suicide crisis. Ryerson professors continue to work alongside the Nibinamik community to help them overcome the challenges of housing and youth suicide. 

Noushin Ziafati (23 March 2018).

Ryerson University held a charity event on March 3rd, 2018 to stand in solidarity and raise funds for the youth of Nibinamik First Nation. Indigenous speakers expressed their struggles with the education system, the alarming rates of youth suicide and the need for adequate resources. The event included a silent auction and exhibits from Indigenous entrepreneurs to raise funds to improve youth programming and services in First Nation communities.

Premila D’Sa (5 March 2018).

The Finding Our Power Together event at Ryerson University will raise money for overcrowded homes and youth suicide in the Nibinamik community. Nibinamik youth hope to have programs and facilities where they can hang out and get educated.

Julian Gignac (26 February 2018).

Building Our Bundle is a program designed to combine mental-health skills with Indigenous cultural teachings. This program was designed to support Indigenous communities and young people in the face of suicide crises. This article speaks of the approaches Finding Our Power Together uses when working with and supporting Indigenous youth. 

Shelby Lisk (7 May 2021).