Explore what Regrowth means to you!
Are you Indigenous, between the ages of 14 and 29, and from (or living in) Northern Alberta?
What does ‘regrowth’ mean to you in the context of climate change impacts like wildfire? Tell your story about what regrowth means for you, your community, and your hopes for the future!
Join Stories of Resilience – Voices from Indigenous Youth in Northern Alberta, an initiative for Indigenous youth to connect, explore, and express what regrowth and resilience mean to you — through your voice, your creativity, and your lived experience.
Learn more about The Resilience Institute and our Stories of Resilience Program on our website, or see more below.
What will I do as a participant?
Learn & Grow: You and other young Indigenous participants will be invited to two short, online learning experiences to explore themes of regrowth, resilience, climate change impacts, adaptation, disaster risk reduction and Indigenous science/knowledge – all tailored to Indigenous Youth and Northern Alberta. Each mini course is about 1 hour long, and includes videos, discussions, and online activities.
Create & Share: Next, you’ll be invited to create and share your story about what regrowth means to you. You can share your story in a variety of ways (write your story or record an audio or video submission). Choose an approach that feels right for you to express your perspectives, hopes, and experiences of regrowth — as an individual, community, or global citizen within a changing climate.
Looking for some inspiration? Check out Miranda Big Bull’s story. A member of the Piikani First Nation, Miranda’s story shares Piikani traditional ways of knowing, the changes she has seen in the natural environment, and her role in the Youth-Led Local Early Action Plan addressing climate change resilience in her traditional territory.
Can I join?
Yes! You can join if:
- You self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit),
- You are between 14 and 29 years old,
- You are from or live in Northern Alberta,
- You want to learn and share your story!
No experience is required. You do not need to be a professional writer or artist to join!
How do I sign up?
The program opens in June 2025. Early sign-ups will receive a text/email reminder when the program is live. The learning journey is self-paced, and you will have until Fall 2025 to complete it and submit your creative work.
To get started:
How will my contributions be recognized & respected?
Your time, energy, and stories are meaningful. We will honour them by offering:
- A monetary stipend: Stipends of $200 will be offered to those who complete both mini-courses and share a story.
- Certificate of Completion: All participants who complete the two mini-courses and submit a contribution will receive a Certificate of Completion. The certificate will indicate completion of a voluntary learning experience about climate, resilience, and adaptation and valuable contribution to enhancing resilience in Northern Alberta. Add this certification to your resume, job, and/or school applications to demonstrate youth leadership in shaping the future of Indigenous resilience.
- Opportunity to be a Featured Storyteller: Participants’ stories may be featured online, in booklets, podcasts, or other outputs to be shared across Northern Alberta and beyond! These outputs may also be showcased in community exhibits and spaces, helping inspire other Indigenous youth and people from all walks of life.
- Invest in Yourself and Your Community: Taking time to invest in yourself is always worthwhile! Build your knowledge, deepen your understanding of what it means to be resilient, and learn from your peers. By exploring what regrowth looks like for you and your community, you will be helping to build a more climate-resilient future.
- Become a member of the Stories of Resilience Alumni Community: As a Stories of Resilience Alum, you will be part of a growing community of people that have shared their stories, helping to build resilience to climate impacts. As an alum, you can stay connected to TRI and a broad network of storytellers whose voices have can help others in your region and beyond to build resilience in their lives and communities.
Upon sharing a story, you will be asked to fill out a simple consent form. You can choose whether you want your name to appear with your contribution (your choice). Participants under 18 will need a parent or guardian’s signature.
How can I get updates & more info?
Questions? We’d love to hear from you!
Reach us at: stories@resilienceinstitute.ca
What is Stories of Resilience – Voices from Indigenous Youth in Northern Alberta?
Stories of Resilience – Voices from Indigenous Youth in Northern Alberta is an initiative by The Resilience Institute, in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. It is a creative program that promotes what it means to be resilient (or not) – spiritually, physically, culturally. The engagement activities, centered around thematic learning, have proven to strengthen community momentum for longer-term climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies.
This Stories of Resilience initiative aims to engage Indigenous youth in Northern Alberta around the theme of ‘regrowth’ following the 2023 wildfire season in the region. Through this initiative, youth will have the opportunity to learn about climate-related risks, risk reduction strategies, adaptation, and resilience-building. They will also be supported to share their stories of regrowth and resilience, thereby contributing to community risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts. This approach aims to transform passive awareness into active participation and not only enhances individual and community resilience, but also fosters a culture of proactive, collaborative problem-solving.
