Our first episode of the brand new podcast Communities of Wealth explores the origin story of the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project - an Indigenous youth-led granting program. In this episode we discuss some key players within our work and address the tensions associated with being an Indigenous youth-led granting agency working within a colonial granting structure. We discuss why our work is important, challenging, and much-needed within the sector to support Indigenous young people.

"A yes is saying we believe in you. That alone can make you so happy to feel seen and heard and as an expert. A yes can build a whole community"

Co-Hosts and Guests:

Shanna Peltier (Instagram + Twitter @shannapeltier) - Shanna Peltier is a proud Anishinaabe kwe who grew up in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory located on the beautiful Mnidoo Mnis (Manitoulin Island), Ontario. Shanna is a Ph.D. student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) - University of Toronto. Her research hopes to explore and conceptualize a critical stance on Indigenous mental health in the areas of suicide prevention and life promotion, especially as it pertains to Indigenous children and youth. She also holds various advisory and representative positions with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project (OIYPP).

Thea Belanger (@theabear) - Thea Belanger is an Anishinaabe member of the Nipissing First Nation in Ontario. Coming from a long line of artists and activists, she has seen firsthand the power of Indigenous youth to creatively respond to the issues and challenges facing their communities. As the Director of the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Program, a province-wide charitable initiative, she champions the voices of Indigenous Youth and empowers them to create projects that deepen their connections to culture and community while educating and preparing them to navigate the complex world of philanthropy and social change.

Gabrielle Fayant (Instagram @gabriellevfayant + Twitter @GabrielleFayant) - Gabrielle Fayant originates from Fishing Lake Métis Settlement in Alberta and identifies as a proud Michif woman. Gabrielle has worked with Indigenous youth at a grassroots level for almost a decade. Gabrielle has used her knowledge on the ground to influence systemic changes such as working on the implementation of TRC Call to Action 66. Gabrielle has been a Youth Advisory to OIYPP since 2015. She has witnessed the positive impacts that OIYPP fosters in community and supports the grassroots efforts of Indigenous youth.


Learn more about the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project: http://www.oiypp.ca/  and @oiypproject.

Special thanks to Claudia Skunk and Sydney Nolan for being our Podcast Committee Members!

Episode Content Produced by Shanna Peltier and Thea Belanger

Audio Engineering and Post-Production by Velvet Tine Production Co. (velvet.tine.productions@gmail.com) & Pat Peltier Music.

Music Written and Produced by Pat Peltier.