Profiles in Strength: Indigenous Voices Leading Change

For Reanna Brownlee, the opportunity to be the lead organizer of a community event was one that doesn’t come by often.

Last summer, the Grade 12 student organized the Northern and Dene Games Kick-Off outside Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

“It was definitely rewarding,” she said. “I love getting the experience. I loved getting to do my own thing and having that experience to operate and do it on my own.”

While Reanna had done some previous work with youth, she was never able to take the initiative into her own hands and organize something herself.

But when Reanna saw an opportunity to receive a grant from Cuso International, she knew she had to apply. As part of Cuso’s Indigenous Canada Program, grants of up to $5,000 are provided to Indigenous Youth Leaders to support projects taking place in Northern Canada. Youth Leaders also receive mentorship, training, and capacity-building to support the implementation of the project.

“I loved having the leadership experience and getting to organize something for the community. I really liked that opportunity because I don’t ever get that opportunity here,” she said.

As the lead organizer, Reanna got together the table and chairs needed, reached out to businesses about donating items, she booked the lot, and hired people to help her. Three drummers did an opening prayer, as well as a celebration and drum dance at the end of the event. To promote the event, Reanna put up posters around the city and on social media.

The community event was open to everyone, but was directed more at youth. Her goal was to increase youth participation in Northern and Dene Games, provide instructors, support, space and equipment, and to highlight a variety of Indigenous cultures throughout the NWT to inspire youth to connect and be proud of their Indigenous backgrounds.

Traditional games such as one-foot-high kick, two-foot-high kick, arm pull and stick pull, as well as fish cutting, duck plucking, and a craft table were all available for people to participate in.

“There were a lot of people that came that never got to see duck or fish cutting, a lot of people tried new things, so it was really cool,” she said.

The experience also gave Reanna the experience to organize and manage a community event, giving her more of an idea about what she’s interested in doing in the future.

“I would love to do it again,” she said. “It’s something that I would want to shape into my career. Right now I’m in social work, but I also grew up doing a lot of things with youth so I would love to be like a recreation coordinator, program coordinator one day, so it kind of gave me a little experience.”

This also gave youth the opportunity to see another youth lead something and the community member that came got to see new things and try new things, including a bunch of people that came from different cultures.

“Thank you to Cuso for the opportunity. It’s not really an opportunity that’s ever given or an option for a lot of people,” she said. “I think just a big thank you for that because it was a great experience for myself, but for the community as well.”