TakingITGlobal

I am very grateful for the young Indigenous leaders from 30 communities across Canada who have shared their experience, knowledge and aspirations as part of this Idea Book. We celebrate your courage and appreciate your meaningful contributions to this project, to your nations and to Canada as a whole. It is an honour for me to be a part of this circle as a non-Indigenous person who cares deeply about empowering youth voices and creating spaces to imagine possibilities. Explore150 is a project that invites youth from across Canada to reflect on their role as leaders in their communities and to share their visions around Canada's past, present and future. When I co-founded TakingITGlobal in 1999 as a teenager, my own source of motivation and confidence was rooted in being invited to join conversations where I was asked to share my own ideas and opinions. I know first-hand about how transformational it can be to have ideas showcased as part of a bigger platform. When our Indigenous Youth Engagement Coordinator Lindsay DuPré first pitched the idea of curating this Idea Book, I was in full support and am proud of how it has evolved into such an incredible collection of insights. As we aim to do our part to support the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and as we approach Canada's sesquicentennial in 2017, we are committed to promoting Indigenous youth leadership and cultural exchange throughout our programs at TakingITGlobal. In creating pathways to reconciliation, we have the opportunity to dream together and envision the future in a way that is grounded in our shared values and history. When we strengthen our connections to one another, our communities can thrive and grow. We invite all Canadians to join us in exploring these important issues. In friendship, JennIfer CorrIero Co-founder & Executive Director TakingITGlobal Conclusion

• Cover