We believe every individual deserves equitable access to quality education, regardless of circumstance. We work to level the playing field, helping youth facing barriers build the skills to become tomorrow’s Changemakers.
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WHAT WE DO
Elephant Thoughts Institute of Changemakers is a registered charity founded in 2002.
We envision a world where cultural diversity is celebrated, universal basic needs are realized, and our planet is protected. Everything we do is designed to mentor, support, and champion youth to be the Changemakers of tomorrow.
Delivering life changing educational experiences for youth facing barriers to foster the development of empowered, compassionate and responsible Changemakers of tomorrow.
We envision a sustainable world without poverty where cultural diversity is celebrated, universal basics needs are realized, and our planet is protected.
We believe every Changemaker must understand climate change and take responsibility for it. As an organization, we hold ourselves to that same standard — reducing emissions, farming sustainably, and restoring the land we depend on.
We believe diversity of ideas and cultures is essential to a happier, more sustainable planet. We champion empathy and collaboration across cultures, cultivating Changemakers who lead with equity and shared responsibility.
We believe every individual deserves equitable access to quality education, regardless of circumstance. We work to level the playing field, helping youth facing barriers build the skills to become tomorrow’s Changemakers.
We believe every individual deserves equitable access to quality education, regardless of circumstance. We work to level the playing field, helping youth facing barriers build the skills to become tomorrow’s Changemakers.
We believe every Changemaker must understand climate change and take responsibility for it. As an organization, we hold ourselves to that same standard — reducing emissions, farming sustainably, and restoring the land we depend on.
We believe diversity of ideas and cultures is essential to a happier, more sustainable planet. We champion empathy and collaboration across cultures, cultivating Changemakers who lead with equity and shared responsibility.
ALL RESOURCES, ONE GOAL:
Every young person who comes through our programs carries a spark, the kind of potential that, given the right education, opportunity, community, and support, doesn’t just grow. It gives back. It ripples outward into families, neighbourhoods, and communities far beyond the individual.
A changemaker isn’t reserved for the extraordinary few. It’s the parent raising resilient, compassionate kids; the entrepreneur building a business that lifts up their community; the town councillor advocating for people often left out of the conversation; the employer who gives someone their first real chance; it’s the neighbour, the mentor, the leader, all the way up to the global citizen working to change the world at scale. Changemakers exist at every level of every community, and it begins the moment potential is given room to grow.
From the very beginning Elephant Thoughts has been an innovator in the social enterprise landscape, long before “social enterprise” was a common term or strategy.
It came simply and humbly. We were not born of wealth. We did not know how to fundraise. We were working in remote and distant locations outside the scope of interest of most funders and granting programs.
We needed to find another way to acquire funds for our projects.
Our first social enterprise was a national, travelling STEM program serving remote schools and communities. Programs included a traveling science museum, hands-on workshops, after school programs, summer camps, teacher training, as well as other STEM related supports. Schools and community centers and museums were our clients. Strategies to keep costs low, like decentralizing our operations with no office or large overhead; contracting substitute teachers for short term occasional teaching roles, rather than full time staff; minimal marketing, and other strategies meant all proceeds could be directed to unfunded international projects, rather than overhead.
Since then, we have owned and operated educational toy stores and provided educational supplies to schools, have rental income at all our campuses, operated restaurants that serve not just as training centres but revenue streams, perform small building trades contracts with our trades students, and more.
Our social enterprises are not an aside from our program deliverables, they are the program. Our restaurants, Inns and Eco-retreat Campuses, our Handy Services, our Science Workshops to Schools are our training grounds. We believe on the job, real-life training is the most effective training possible.
Our campuses are financially self-sustainable through rental business for tourism and retreats, combined with food service. This is also where we teach hospitality and culinary arts.
An approximate annual snapshot of ET’s gross revenue looks like this:
YOUTH IN ACTION
When Jamie Polchies, of the Woodstock First Nation community, finished ET’s Regenerative Agriculture program at Pathsaala, he left with more than new skills — he had a business plan for a bike shop in Woodstock.
ET helped Jamie shape his business strategy and arranged an internship at Little Ed’s Bike Shop in Collingwood, Ontario. There, hands-on retail experience taught him a key lesson: a sustainable business needs more than one source of income — inspiring him to bring kayak and canoe rentals back to Woodstock’s riverfront.
Jamie built his business through community partnerships: the Town of Woodstock gave him a waterfront spot for his rentals, and Woodstock First Nation gave him a location for his shipping-container bike shop — in exchange, he coordinates volunteers for the community’s ice rink and rents out a skate-sharpening machine for extra income through winter.
Jamie’s story shows what’s possible with vision, resourcefulness, and investment in your own community. We’re proud to have played a part in his journey, and can’t wait to see what he builds next. You can check out his shop at wolastoqcycling.repair.
YOUTH IN ACTION
Cuba continues to face real economic hardship, but even amid that reality, young talent keeps finding ways to make an impact — as is the case with a team of graphic designers completing their social service at Cultura entre las manos, a cultural center in Havana.
Elephant Thoughts connected with this team of young designers through that same center, where their social service work is focused on creating cultural projects for Havana’s Deaf community.
This is the very team behind the design of this website, and the creative force behind the fundraising campaign for Cuban families as part of the 2026 Four Winds festival.
Their work is a reminder of what talent and dedication can build, even in difficult circumstances. We’re proud to have them as part of the Elephant Thoughts story.
YOUTH IN ACTION
Zoey is part of Elephant Thoughts’ Agriculture Program, where she’s been gaining hands-on experience in food production while building confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to her community.
“This program has been rejuvenating. Being outside and learning about gardening was exactly what I dreamed of doing, and the hands-on learning has made me more comfortable sharing what I know with others in the program. Growing and tending to the food we eat, and connecting with a community so passionate about it, has been truly inspiring — I can’t wait to see the opportunities this opens up for me.”
YOUTH IN ACTION
Iringa faces deep socio-economic, educational, and health-related challenges, and children living and working in the streets are among the most vulnerable, often without the support or opportunities needed to build resilience. The community has the will to change this, but lacks the organizations and resources to work together toward lasting solutions.
Local youth struggle with limited access to quality education and vocational training, along with real financial instability. Without the skills to compete for jobs or pursue further education, many end up in low-paying informal work, keeping the cycle of poverty going.
Despite these barriers, Tanzanian youth are driven and hopeful. They want stable employment, the ability to support their families financially, and, eventually, the chance to give back to their own community.
Through Jamii Creativity Hub, this program offers vulnerable street youth in Iringa a steady support system — daily drop-in classes covering everything from basic needs to long-term career development. The most committed participants move into a paid internship, learning both entrepreneurship and hands-on skills like agriculture, animal husbandry, and construction, while working toward stable housing, savings, and a healthy lifestyle. Each young person follows their own path forward, whether that’s an apprenticeship, paid work, further education, or continuing on with the Hub.
THE BOARD
Ala’a Adib is a community organizer, youth advocate, and founder of Smile for Sache, an organization supporting young people and families impacted by violence and systemic barriers. Through programs rooted in sport, mentorship, and service, her work has mobilized thousands of youth and volunteers across North America.
Ala’a’s leadership focuses on creating spaces where young people can build confidence, develop leadership skills, and reconnect with purpose through community. Her work bridges grassroots organizing, youth development, and social impact, using education and service as tools for healing and opportunity.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
Established in 1978 under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the Cree School Board provides education in Cree, English and French to the Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee in northern Quebec.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A not-for-profit, nature-based independent school in The Blue Mountains, Ontario, reconnecting future leaders with nature through holistic, hands-on education that ignites curiosity, passion and resilience.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A Toronto community organization founded in 1978 that strengthens communities through child care, employment and skills training, literacy and newcomer services, building on each community’s strengths.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A Canadian not-for-profit reconnecting children, educators and communities with nature through curriculum-aligned outdoor education, educator training and youth leadership, grounded in cognitive science.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A downtown Toronto community arts charity, founded in 2011, that creates free creative experiences with, for and by the people of the Esplanade to build shared memories.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A Canadian registered charity strengthening education for Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, partially sighted and neurodiverse learners in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia through local partnerships.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A sociocultural centre of the Office of the Historian of Havana, founded in 2008 in Old Havana, fostering dialogue between Deaf and hearing communities through arts, heritage and Cuban Sign Language programs.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
Ontario’s Indigenous sport and wellness body since 2011, delivering sport, recreation and wellness opportunities that improve the lives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth and communities across the province.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A youth-founded collective in Brampton advancing food security, leadership development and land-based learning for Black communities through its urban training farm.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A Toronto community non-profit founded in 2020 in memory of Adan “Sache” Dubet, creating change through smiles with youth empowerment programs, family support and initiatives such as Feed The Fasting.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A grassroots Anishinaabe alliance of Saugeen Ojibway Nation members working to protect Lake Huron and Georgian Bay through storytelling, youth education, land-based learning and community science.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A Collingwood-based non-profit working since 1993 for a healthy, sustainable community — “Enough for all, forever” — through energy-efficiency services, food security, youth programs and environmental education.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A not-for-profit construction social enterprise in Central and Northern Ontario that builds quality housing while empowering people facing barriers to employment through skills training, a living wage and affordable housing.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
Toronto’s non-profit social-purpose contractor, combining green retrofits and renovations with paid pre-apprenticeship training that opens skilled-trades careers to people facing barriers to employment.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A Toronto non-profit working to break intergenerational cycles of trauma and poverty by empowering Black youth through mental health support, emotional intelligence and civic engagement.
OUR DAILY COLLABORATORS
A First Nation–run not-for-profit in Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, that blends STEM learning with Wolastoqey knowledge through a community MakerSpace, science nights and online learning resources for local students.
DONATIONS
For many families in Cuba, putting food on the table has become one of the hardest challenges of everyday life. Low wages, rising prices and limited access to basic goods have created a gap that grows wider every month — leaving parents, children and elderly people with very little room to maneuver. This is not a distant or abstract reality. It is happening every day, in homes across the country.
Elephant Thoughts has been working directly with Cuban families on the ground, delivering food aid to those who need it most. Through trusted local partners, we have seen firsthand how a simple food package can change the weight of a week for a family that was struggling to get through it. A child who eats before school. A mother who does not have to choose. A grandparent who is not forgotten. These are the real faces behind every donation.
Feed People in Cuba is our commitment to keeping that help consistent and reliable. Every donation received through this initiative is converted into direct food aid and delivered weekly to Cuban families — fully transparent, fully accountable and 100% dedicated to the people who need it.
Every contribution, no matter the size, becomes groceries, meals and stability for a family that is counting on it. The need is ongoing — and so is our commitment to answering it, with your help.
THE BOARD
Alphonsine Alisha Vita is an Early Childhood Assistant dedicated to helping children from all backgrounds build a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Her connection to Elephant Thoughts began as a participant in their Culinary Program, an experience that proved to her how much a supportive mentor and real-world skills can change a young person’s trajectory.
With a certificate in Economics and Management Sciences from the University of South Africa, Alisha brings a unique perspective on sustainable development and community-focused growth to the board.
As an aspiring communications specialist, she is passionate about helping organizations tell impactful stories, engage their communities, and expand access to programs that empower the next generation of “changemakers”.
THE BOARD
Eric Ritchie is a Canadian agronomist who works in sustainable agriculture and food safety. He lives in the Moncton area of New Brunswick. He studied Agronomy and Crop Science at Dalhousie University and holds a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College.
He has worked at McCain Foods, one of the world’s largest makers of frozen potato products, for nearly two decades. From 2007 to 2011 he was Agriculture Manager for Farm Food Safety and Sustainability at McCain Foods USA. Since 2011 he has been Agriculture Manager for North America in Corporate Social Responsibility at McCain Foods Canada. In that role he works with growers on responsible farming practices and on farm assurance policy across the supply chain.
He has also chaired the Potato Sustainability Initiative, a North American potato-industry program that set shared sustainability standards for growers and buyers.
Short version: Eric Ritchie is an agronomist and Agriculture Manager for North America in Corporate Social Responsibility at McCain Foods. He has more than 18 years of experience in agricultural sustainability and food safety, and he holds a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems. He has chaired the Potato Sustainability Initiative.
THE BOARD
Michael Ready is an elementary teacher with SCDSB, he is currently the teacher-librarian at Wasaga Beach P.S. Michael has been involved with Elephant Thoughts for over a decade starting out as a volunteer, then joining the board of directors. The organization has been a positive influence on his classroom and students for many years, through the Schools 4 Schools program, workshops, and assembly programs. Michael, and his oldest son Finn had a phenomenal experience when they traveled to India with Elephant Thoughts where he visited schools and led teacher workshops.
THE BOARD
Sky Perley is a community leader from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), New Brunswick, with a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for youth through education, culture, and community-based learning. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Wolastoq Education Initiative, where he works with schools, families, and community partners to develop programs that support literacy, numeracy, STEM learning, and land-based education.
Sky’s work focuses on building practical learning opportunities that connect young people to culture, community, and real-world skills. Through partnerships with governments, schools, and community organizations, he has helped lead initiatives that strengthen educational outcomes while supporting broader community wellbeing, including projects related to youth leadership and Indigenous food sovereignty.
He also serves as Chair of the Board for Tobique Child and Family Services Agency, where he provides governance leadership during a period of transition toward community-led services. In addition, Sky has long been involved in youth development through sport and recreation. He is a member of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame and serves as Wolastoqey Chairman of Aboriginal Sport and Recreation New Brunswick.
Sky is currently completing the Directors Education Program (ICD.D) through the Institute of Corporate Directors and is committed to supporting organizations that empower youth through innovative and experiential education.
THE BOARD
Stewart C. Paul is a Wolastoqey (Maliseet) lawyer and leader from New Brunswick, Canada. For more than five decades he has worked for the rights, education and self-government of First Nations. He studied social leadership at the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. At the University of New Brunswick he earned a BA in Sociology and History (1978) and then a law degree (LLB, 1981). He has run his own law practice since 1982.
He served as Chief of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique (Neqotkuk) for three terms: 1989–1995, 2001–2006 and 2008–2012. Earlier, he was an Indian Education Consultant with the New Brunswick Department of Education and a Community Development Education Coordinator with the Union of New Brunswick Indians. He was also Director of the Policy Analysis Secretariat at the National Indian Brotherhood in Ottawa. Later he co-chaired the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs and served as Ambassador for the Mi’kmaq–Maliseet–Province of New Brunswick Relationship-Building Bilateral Agreement.
He has been a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court in Maine since 1985. Since 1996 he has sat on the Board of Directors of Peace Hills Trust, where he chairs the Conduct Review and Risk Committees. In 2014 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC) in recognition of his legal career.
Short version: Stewart C. Paul, LLB, QC, is a lawyer and former Chief of the Maliseet Nation at Tobique in New Brunswick, Canada, a role he held for three terms. He has worked for more than 50 years on the education, rights and self-government of First Nations. He is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court and the Board of Directors of Peace Hills Trust, and he was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2014.
THE BOARD
Martin has been an Elephant Thoughts director since 2008. Over that time span the budget and influence of ET has grown by more that 10X. Martin has served on the executive for most of this time.Dr. Oosterveld is an Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay.After taking an early retirement, Martin moved to Collingwood in 2000 and focussed his energies on volunteering and a part-time business building homes and selling real estate.
He retired from his real estate ventures after 20 years.On the volunteer side, Martin is a founding member of the Rotary Club of Collingwood South Georgian Bay and served a term as President. He served on the Board of the Centre for Business for more than a decade including 2 years as Chair.Martin negotiated a long term lease for the Collingwood Youth Centre and built the partnerships to launch this venture. This project has been a great success and hundreds of youth have had an enriched experience as a result. The CYC has become an important and vibrant campus for ET.Martin has been recognized for his volunteer work in the form of an ‘Order of Collingwood’ award in 2017.
THE BOARD
Ibrahim Mohamed is an educator and community leader serving as the Executive Director of Generation Chosen, a Toronto-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth from underserved communities. Through innovative programming focused on emotional intelligence, mental health, education, and leadership development, Ibrahim works to interrupt cycles of trauma and poverty affecting young people.
With experience as a teacher in the Toronto District School Board, he brings a practical, classroom-informed approach to youth programming and curriculum development. Under his leadership, Generation Chosen has developed initiatives ranging from mental-health therapy programs and mentorship networks to AI and technology education, helping youth build both personal resilience and professional skills.
Ibrahim frequently collaborates with schools, universities, and community organizations to design scalable solutions that improve youth well-being and long-term opportunity. His work bridges education, research, and community development to strengthen the next generation of leaders.
THE BOARD
John Miringu is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment through his involvement with Elephant Thoughts. Having first connected with the organization as a participant in the Elephant Thoughts Culinary Education Program, he appreciates the value of hands-on learning and mentorship.That experience continues to shape his commitment to helping other young people access similar opportunities for growth.
Today, John contributes to the organization as a member of the Elephant Thoughts Youth Advisory Board and serves as a youth representative on the Board of Directors, where he brings forward the perspectives and ideas of the young people to help guide programs and initiatives.
Beyond his work at Elephant Thoughts, John is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in computer Security at York University, where he is developing his interest in cybersecurity while exploring how digital systems can help build stronger and more connected communities.
THE BOARD
Lorne is an active community leader with deep multigenerational roots in Simcoe-Grey. Currently he and his wife, Susan, own and operate a successful promotional products and corporate apparel business in Collingwood.
Lorne is an active Rotarian and former President of the Rotary Club of South Georgian Bay.
Prior to his return to Collingwood, Lorne was the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the projects of the Premier’s Council, a consultative body of leaders from all key sectors of Ontario society. The Premier’s Council, initially established by William Davis, became well recognized during the tenure of the David Peterson Liberal Government and expanded further during the time of Premier Bob Rae.
Prior to his work in the Ontario Public Service, he was a senior official at Labour Canada in Ottawa where he led the Bureau of Labour Information
Before entering public service, Lorne was the Research and Education Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and was responsible for negotiating major collective agreements in the food industry.
His career began as a Professor of Economics and Canadian Studies at Seneca College. He continued teaching on an adjunct basis at Carleton and later at the University of Toronto where he developed a special charity-focused consulting program for graduating MBA students at the Rotman School of Management.
Lorne has a B.A. in Political Science and Economics and an M.A. in Economics (Labour and Industrial Relations). Both degrees were earned at the University of Toronto.
He has twice been named an honorary Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to Rotary in Collingwood his initiative to develop an early literacy program that matches children under six with local seniors and again for his work with the Rotary International Student Exchange Program.
He is an active parishioner of All Saints’ Anglican Church. Also, he has been involved politically as the Liberal candidate in the 2019 federal election.
SATELLITAL CAMPUSES
Info to come.
SATELLITAL CAMPUSES
Based at 612 10th Street, ET’s Hanover campus is home to The Bodega Café & Pantry, a social enterprise run by Elephant Thoughts — by youth, for youth and community. The café and pantry function as a real working training ground, where youth gain hands-on experience in customer service, food preparation, baking, menu development, and financial management. The campus’s broader workforce development programming also includes leadership development, job readiness, and sector-specific training, giving participants a direct path from learning to real employment in their own community.
SATELLITAL CAMPUSES
The Collingwood Youth Centre is a drop-in space for youth from grade 7 through age 18, offering a safe, welcoming environment to socialize with friends and mentors after school and on weekends. Elephant Thoughts is one of the organizations behind the centre, and within it runs its own hands-on training in market farming and sustainable food production, giving participants direct experience with regenerative agriculture through the Young Farmer’s Program. Beyond that, the centre offers programming in music, technology, art, and cooking, along with mental health support through the Headstrong Initiative, and guidance in employment and entrepreneurship — making it a space where youth can explore their interests while also building real, transferable skills.
SATELLITAL CAMPUSES
Iringa faces deep socio-economic, educational, and health-related challenges, and children living and working in the streets are among the most vulnerable, often without the support or opportunities needed to build resilience. The community has the will to change this, but lacks the organizations and resources to work together toward lasting solutions.
Local youth struggle with limited access to quality education and vocational training, along with real financial instability. Without the skills to compete for jobs or pursue further education, many end up in low-paying informal work, keeping the cycle of poverty going.
Despite these barriers, Tanzanian youth are driven and hopeful. They want stable employment, the ability to support their families financially, and, eventually, the chance to give back to their own community.
Through Jamii Creativity Hub, this program offers vulnerable street youth in Iringa a steady support system — daily drop-in classes covering everything from basic needs to long-term career development. The most committed participants move into a paid internship, learning both entrepreneurship and hands-on skills like agriculture, animal husbandry, and construction, while working toward stable housing, savings, and a healthy lifestyle. Each young person follows their own path forward, whether that’s an apprenticeship, paid work, further education, or continuing on with the Hub.
SATELLITAL CAMPUSES
Info to come.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STREAMS:
Hands-on training in market farming and sustainable food production teaches young people how to grow their own food, from seed to harvest, to help sustain their communities — using organic methods, free of artificial fertilizers or treatments. Through practices like beekeeping, forest stewardship, permaculture, and soil carbon capture, participants get direct experience across every stage of the growing process, while also helping reduce the land’s carbon footprint.
The program produces a wide range of crops, from honey to fruit trees and vegetables. Some of that food goes straight to the restaurant at ET’s Pathsaala Campus, and some reaches local markets — supporting food security in the surrounding communities while participants build practical, real-world skills for a future in sustainable land stewardship and food systems, alongside an introduction to the Young Farmer’s Program.
Sources:
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STREAMS:
Food literacy and food security are significant components of this program through the demonstration of regenerative agriculture and soil carbon capture practises. It is excellent for those who want to pursue careers in food production or carry on receiving their Red Seal certification as a chef.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
YOUTH IN ACTION
2-WEEK NORTHERN TEAM BUILDING RETREAT
Spend two weeks at a beautiful eco-retreat in preparation for your Journey North! Develop leadership skills and gain insights from a diverse group of educators while immersing yourself in nature at our stunning Riverstone Retreat campus in Southern Ontario. Take part in drumming circles, wellness workshops, culinary arts experiences, wood-fired saunas, telescope viewing, and campfires. Throughout this immersive experience, you’ll delve into curriculum content, cultural sensitivity, and leadership skills, all setting the stage for a successful and impactful journey.
4, 9 OR 10 MONTHS LIVING UP NORTH
Journey North and spend 4, 9, or 10 months living in remote communities in Canada during the service portion of the program. As part of this impactful program, you’ll work closely with Indigenous elementary and high school students, offering personalized STEM educational support.
You will be part of a team of 20+ instructors across nine communities, providing tailored math and science academic support to high school students. This includes providing one-on-one support, and offering after-school and weekend tutoring sessions. You’ll also lead engaging hands-on science workshops for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Secondary School, fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment. All support programs are delivered in English and French.
Your role will involve adapting to the unique needs of each community, helping students at various academic levels, and contributing to their overall educational journey.
PAID EXPERIENCE
Participants will receive a weekly salary starting at $1000/week, all travel and accommodation costs are covered during the program.
PROGRAM AGES 6 – 17:
An ideal opportunity for emerging youth leaders to explore a career in conventional building and/or in the green building industry. This is a key focus area is an industry that is innovative and rapidly growing in support of both the climate and housing crisis.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
PROGRAM AGES 6 – 17:
An ideal opportunity for emerging youth leaders to explore a career in conventional building and/or in the green building industry. This is a key focus area is an industry that is innovative and rapidly growing in support of both the climate and housing crisis.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
PROGRAM AGES 6 – 17:
An ideal opportunity for emerging youth leaders to explore a career in conventional building and/or in the green building industry. This is a key focus area is an industry that is innovative and rapidly growing in support of both the climate and housing crisis.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Remote School Academic Support brings holistic tutoring, technology training, and leadership programs to under-resourced schools across Canada, reaching about 100 Northern Indigenous schools each year.
Supporting Schools
We help under-resourced schools — mostly Indigenous schools across Canada — increase graduation and attendance rates, fill teaching gaps, and expand STEM programming.
STEM Supports for Remote Schools
Born from requests by Northern principals, our digital media curriculum now reaches over 10,000 kids annually across Northern Canada.
Supporting Changemakers
We help remote-community youth pursue post-secondary paths and return home as tomorrow’s Changemakers — teachers, nurses, doctors, and leaders across every field.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Emerging Leaders is a weeklong, overnight retreat immersing youth ages 11 through adult in nature, community, and hands-on leadership development at our Ontario and New Brunswick campuses.
Our Campuses
Programs take place at our Riverstone Campus in Ontario and our Pathsaala Campus in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick — both immersive, nature-based settings built for learning and growth.
Who We Serve
We partner directly with organizations — Indigenous youth groups, Inner City Youth non-profits, student councils, and university groups — custom-building each program to match their goals, with many returning year after year.
The Experience
From art and digital media to astronomy, beekeeping, and cooking over an open fire, participants build leadership and teamwork skills through hands-on workshops, outdoor traditions, and lasting friendships.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
LEADERSHIP TRAINING:
ELEGIBILITY
ARE YOU A GREAT FIT?
If you’re passionate, energetic and ready for an adventure, we want to hear from you!
Journey North is a life-changing opportunity for emerging leaders aged 21–35 who see education as a catalyst for personal and community growth. Each year, 30 to 50 young leaders begin with a preparatory stay at one of our Core Campuses, gaining certifications in Cultural Sensitivity, Mental Health First Aid, and First Aid, alongside training in tutoring techniques, leadership, and global citizenship — all while connecting with mentors, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, and peers from across Canada.
In the program’s second phase, participants spend 4 to 10 months living in small teams in remote Northern communities, tutoring Indigenous high school youth and engaging them in STEM activities. Through this experience, Journey North helps Indigenous students succeed academically, builds lasting friendships across cultures, and develops a new generation of skilled educators for provincial and remote education systems.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STREAMS:
An ideal opportunity for emerging youth leaders to begin a career in building and/or in the green building industry. This is a key focus area is an industry that is innovative and rapidly growing in support of both the climate and housing crisis.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY THE PROGRAM, CONTACT US
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