University and college host Indigenous students youth initiative

By Steffanie Costigan - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 2, 2023.

Herald photo by Steffanie Costigan Participants play a giant game of chess during the Indigenous youth initiative program which kicked off in Lethbridge this week at the University of Lethbridge

The Indigenous youth initiative program kicked off in Lethbridge this week as the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College host the Outland Youth Employment (OYEP) program for the first time.

The university and college have long endeavoured to provide access to post-secondary education for Indigenous learners. Deserae Yellow Horn, the education navigator at U of L, shared the awareness they hope to bring to Indigenous youth to know about the worldwide opportunities for their futures.

“We want to make sure that students know that they have all of these opportunities and that they’re not just specifically one path for them. If they choose to go into a trades program, if they choose to get a degree, if they choose to go for a diploma, if they choose to go into policing services, those opportunities are waiting for them so that they don’t feel as if they just have to stay home or that they’re roped into staying on the reservation, that they have these opportunities that are worldwide,” said Yellow Horn.

Most students participating in the OYEP program are from Treaty Seven and will be staying three nights at the U of L campus and two nights at Lethbridge College campus, Yellow Horn explained. She talked about the impact and importance Indigenous voices have.

“A lot of people don’t really think about the Indigenous voice from 40 years ago. But what they don’t realize is that a lot of the Indigenous voices of say, for example, Dr. Leroy Little Bear, how his voice has impacted our programming to this day.”

Indigenous students participating in the OYEP program vary from ages 16 to 20, and each student is paid for their participation.

Lethbridge College’s adviser and recruiter for Indigenous Services Brittany Lee, described the importance behind this collaboration and the betterment for the Indigenous community this program can have.

“This collaboration between the college and the university was extremely important because it gives an opportunity for youth to see different aspects of post-secondary and Lethbridge, as well as working together for the betterment of all of our communities as Indigenous people to lift each other up and to work collaboratively,” said Lee.

“I see this as an opportunity, not only because I’m a mom, and my kids could partake in this in the future, to give them an opportunity to build this program.”

She said the program will have benefits for participating youth in that they will get a chance to see different programs that potentially they might be able to become involved with.

The OYEP program first started in Ontario then expanded to more provinces with seven camps currently running and approximately 208 Indigenous youth participating.

Supervisor of Alberta Self Camp with OYEP, Paige Hopper, noted this is the first time the OYEP program has been held in southern Alberta.

“This is actually the first year that we’re doing a southern Alberta camps. So we’re super excited to be here and to be part. And to work with the Piikani Nation. We’ve been working with some of their Elders. So that’s been really fantastic to be able to work with them as well,” said Hopper.

Hopper noted the incredible experience it has been for the youth and the love the youth have gained for each other.

“It has been just absolutely, like such an incredible experience, even just for myself, and just seeing how connected these youth are with one another and how much they truly love one another. And they want to see each other succeed.”