CONNECTED NORTH - PARALLEL PROGRAMMING
CREATE TO LEARN
Established out of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Create To Learn
continues to grow. The platform provides 67 First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists
and media makers a new way to share their digital skills and traditional
knowledge with youth across Canada for free. During the 2023-24 school year, the
Create to Learn website was re-designed and had new tutorials added thanks to
generous support from the Lenovo Foundation. You can now search available
content by community of the expert, duration of the videos, content covered and
supplies required. Users can also now login to track their progress and learning.
FUTURE PATHWAYS
Future Pathways: Fireside Chats supported by the RBC Foundation, is a video
series featuring Indigenous Role Models from a variety of careers speaking about
their journeys. There are now 562 interviews available to view for free online.
The website also was re-designed this school year, based on feedback from our
RBC Indigenous Peoples Development Program Associates.
LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Supporting schools to bring Indigenous languages into the classroom is a privilege for our team. We
delivered 265 "Native Language Studies" classes this year - an increase from 194 delivered the
previous year. We are proud to work with local Indigenous language teachers to extend their reach to
new schools. We also supported the publishing of "Hidden Under the Water: Seven Clouds Waiting for
Thunder Days" by Jay Bird.
DIGITAL INCLUSION GRANTS
2023-2024 marked the fourth year of our participation in the Government of Canadaʼs Supports for
Student Learning (SSLP) program. During this school year we provided 413 Indigenous high
school and graduating students a laptop, preloaded with learning content featuring First Nations,
Inuit and Métis role models, to support their education and learning pathways.
SAMUEL CONNECTED NORTH YOUTH LEADERSHIP GRANTS
During the 2023-2024 school year, 10 schools received a Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership
Grant to support a graduation BBQ, Feast or parade like the one in the image below from Iglulik High
School. An additional five schools received a grant to bolster school projects. This year, school
projects have included class magazines, earring beading workshops, procuring seeds for a
community garden, celebrating the leadership class, and supporting an event marking the National
Day of Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day.
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