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Get notified when EleV’s National Campaign Launch event goes live.
EleV is a Mastercard Foundation program that supports Indigenous learners to be full partners in their education and careers.
For the National Launch of EleV on October 26, we centered the voices of young Indigenous people as they expressed how they are #TakingFlightTogether to redesign the pathways to a future of self-determination.
Rooted in the theme Taking Flight Together, the EleV Launch promises to be an engaging, entertaining and informative 90-minute program featuring the voices of Indigenous youth, our partners, and performances by young Indigenous artists.
The program streamed live on APTN on October 26 but the recording is now available on Youtube for all to view!
The Indigenous-led mural at Ongomiizwin at the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne Campus is an artistic interpretation of how young Indigenous learners are charting their own paths to achieve their academic and career dreams.
The Indigenous-led mural at Ongomiizwin at the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne Campus is an artistic interpretation of how young Indigenous learners are charting their own paths to achieve their academic and career dreams.
Blake Angeconeb is an Anishinaabe Woodlands artist from Treaty 3 territory. Blake will be braiding together Indigenous youth perspectives on how they are #TakingFlightTogether to attain their education and employment goals into a mural at the University of Manitoba.
Learn more about BlakeOngomiizwin is the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing at the University of Manitoba. Ongomiizwin means clearing a path for generations to come and by #TakingFlightTogether we hope to achieve our mutual mission of creating pathways for Indigenous youth to education and career opportunities.
Tune in to our official launch event to catch performances and appearances from some very special guests.
Tune in to our official launch event to catch performances and appearances from some very special guests.
Indigenous youth are powerful agents of change for their communities, Nations and the country as a whole. Here’s what some Indigenous creators who are redesigning the pathways to their future had to say about how they’re #TakingFlightTogether.
Powwow Dancer & Jigger
I realized there are so many versions of me that shine bright. I am boundless. I am powerful beyond measure. And so are you. Let's take flight together.
Madelaine McCallum is a gifted dancer, motivational speaker, facilitator, and MC from Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan. She is a passionate, multi-faceted creative with a gentle yet powerful on-stage presence. Madelaine’s has faced several challenges and her story of survival is inspiring. She left her community with the goal of breaking unhealthy cycles of addiction, and now shares a hopeful and illuminating message with her followers.She infused connection and authenticity in her art.
Content Creator, Artist
Taking flight together, to me, means my culture, my traditions, my language and who I am as an Indigenous youth.
Eagle Blackbird is a 19-year old Ojibwe and Anishnaabe content creator from Walpole Island, Bkwejwanong Territory (Ontario). Eagle thrives to be a great role model for indigenous people and youth. His content consists of indigenous comedy, motivating others, indigenous culture, spreading awareness, and breaking down stereotypes of indigenous peoples.
Scientist, Artist & Philosopher
It's all these different ways of learning that can really bring us to what it means to be a whole person — that's where we can start to dream, to breathe, to fly, and we can take flight together.
Jocelyn Joe-Strack, Däk’äläma is an Indigenous scientist, storyteller and healer from the Yukon’s Champagne and Aishihik First Nation. As Yukon University’s Indigenous Knowledge Research Chair she strives to create space for whole person learning, exploring and governing that reflects multiple ways of knowing, doing and being. Her aspiration is to create communities of healing, hope and connection.
Content Creator, Artist
I created a support circle of people that would become my community. These people would have an influence in empowering me to reach my goals and guide me to live life in a good way.
Vanessa is an Inuk creator and a fierce advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit. The driving force behind Vanessa’s advocacy is her sister, Pamela Jayne Holopainen, who has been missing for over 18 years. As an Indigenous woman, she has directly and personally experienced abuse, neglect, racism and poverty. She is motivated to create change for all Indigenous peoples.
Youth Advocate
Taking flight could be just lending that helping hand to people when they’re in need.
Shawntelle Clarke (she/they) is a 29-year old Two Spirit youth, hailing from Eagle Village First Nation. Shawntelle is part of the Bear Clan. They are currently living in Oshawa, Ontario on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Shawntelle graduated from the Wilfrid Laurier University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At University, Shawntelle majored in Criminology, and minored in Social Sciences and Philosophy. They are presently working for the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Youth Advocate
An agent of change in my community is leading by example, showing people that it's okay to be who you are and you can be happy doing it.
Brandy Knutson(she/they) is a 29 year-old two-spirit Afro-Indigenous youth. Brandy is currently living in Oshawa, Ontario on land covered under the Williams Treaties, and the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Brandy graduated twice from Fanshawe College with diplomas in Broadcasting and General Arts and Sciences. Brandy owns a small business called the NO BS Label — an online store by 2-Spirit, Lesbians who love to bake and create.
Indigenous Rights Activist, Comedian, Makeup Artist, Content Creator
In the communities I grew up in and the communities I see today still have that issue of accessibility to education.
Hailing from Batchewana First Nation and Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation), Brennen McGuire is a Two-Spirit Ojibwe Indigenous Rights Activist, Comedian, and Makeup Artist. Growing up in a small town in Ontario, they struggled with the loss of their culture due to colonialism. Through social media, Brennen has been able to reconnect to their Ojibway roots. They believe in leveraging the power of social media for advocacy by creating relatable content.
Visual Artist
In order to take flight together, it’s important for Indigenous young people to see themselves in their communities, in their peers, and in their places of learning onto their pathways through life.
Blake Angeconeb is an Anishinaabe Woodlands artist from Treaty 3 territory. Blake’s primary practice involves acrylics and multimedia on canvas, blending Woodland art with pop culture references. Blake is a self-trained painter with a growing collection of small and large scale works who enjoys collaborating with other artists. He is part of the Caribou clan and a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation.
The name EleV (ˈe-lə-VEE) was selected in consultation with partner Indigenous communities and youth. EleV is a play on the word elevate in English and élève (student) in French. The V evokes a flock of birds flying a long distance, wherein each member takes a turn in the lead position. The logo reflects a lesson from nature — that leadership is service; that by helping others, we fulfill a greater purpose.
EleV is a Mastercard Foundation program that's working in committed and sustained collaboration with Indigenous youth. EleV and our partners have a bold goal — for education and employment systems to be transformed to enable 100,000 Indigenous young people to access post-secondary education and transition to a meaningful livelihood by 2030.
This will require fundamental efforts to transform education, training and employment systems — based on the direction of Indigenous youth, communities, and Nations — to value and embed Indigenous languages, cultures, worldviews, and support success for Indigenous youth.
