Impact Stories

The Indigenous Parallel is a collaboration between Miskanawah and Planet Youth, designed to support young urban Indigenous peoples in Calgary. The Parallel focuses on mental health and wellness initiatives, reconnecting urban Indigenous individuals to community and resources, and amplifying the voices of Indigenous youth. Youth Elders visit schools and organizations across Calgary, serving as role models and advocating for their community. The Parallel also provides equitable resources and opportunities for Indigenous youth, ensuring that they have the support of a community along every step of their journeys.

Planet Youth Calgary is United Way’s most ambitious signature initiative-to-date. Planet Youth Calgary is the largest implementation in Canada and the largest urban implementation in North America. It is working to create stronger connections between young people and their families, caregivers, peers, schools and communities, policy makers and researchers. Planet Youth Calgary aims to improve the social environment for youth by creating opportunities for participation in activities and recreation that promote wellbeing, access to basic needs and safe spaces, and promoting upstream preventative solutions to the challenges our young people face.

Learn more about Planet Youth Calgary.

To learn more about the Planet Youth Indigenous Parallel Youth Wellbeing Circles and how they empower Indigenous young people while building meaningful connections, tune in to Episode 9 of the Social Impact Lab's Responsible Disruption podcast.

This year’s pipe ceremony brought together a diverse group of people — Elders, youth, adults and stakeholders from various walks of life. Creating space for Indigenous peoples to practice ceremony, which was once prohibited, is an act of reconciliation. These ceremonies also provide non-Indigenous participants with opportunities to engage, learn and bridge gaps to create understanding. During the ceremony, Planet Youth leaders, and Youth Elders shared their experiences, struggles and triumphs over the past year with the assembled witnesses.

By integrating ceremonial practices into organizational frameworks, Planet Youth demonstrates the importance of reconciliation in action. Their commitment to honouring traditional systems, decolonizing spaces and paving the road for future generations of young professionals, advocates and community leaders is an important addition to this relationship. Reflecting on the positive impact of these ceremonies, it is evident that Planet Youth is committed to fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities under the Indigenous Parallel, allowing the pipe to lead us all in a good way.

Planet Youth has hosted four ceremonies in the last two years, including two naming ceremonies, a tea ceremony and the annual pipe ceremony. Each ceremony is a step toward decolonizing spaces and rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

The youth employment fair held in February 2024 partnered with Trellis, Community Hubs, Genesis Centre, Calgary Public Library, and YMCA to provide a platform for youth to connect with employment resources, network with organizations, and voice their challenges with finding work. Many international students, in particular, shared difficulties in finding work and expressed the need for practical skills training and support.

One international student reached out to a Planet Youth Manager directly, sharing how difficult it is to secure work in today’s environment. This student highlighted the importance of their existing community chat group and expressed a desire to host more events for youth to connect. This moment underscored the fact that small gestures can have a significant impact, highlighting the need to continue building positive connections for youth in this community.

Many high school students also shared the intense pressure they feel when making critical life decisions around education and employment. One student described the overwhelming expectations to excel academically, build a strong resume, secure a job, and make their parents proud. These pressures can negatively impact mental health, sometimes leading to situations youth struggle to overcome alone.

A lot of youth expressed gratitude for the supportive space and community connection. Feedback emphasized the need for ongoing support with employment and mental health resources.

The event specifically revealed a strong desire for first aid training to improve employment opportunities. Planet Youth Calgary responded by offering first aid training for youth aged 16–20, providing them with valuable skills to improve their employment prospects.

This event demonstrated the importance of listening to youth, understanding their challenges, and offering practical support. Planet Youth Calgary aims to use future survey results to better understand the dynamics affecting youth well-being and to develop primary prevention efforts that address these needs.

Taylor Bottle:

School outreach as a Youth Elder has been an incredible experience, especially spending time in classrooms for Indigenous students. It’s inspiring to see dedicated spaces with supportive staff who want these students to thrive, and it reminds me of how impactful such spaces would have been during my own school years. I’m honored that we, as Youth Elders, are seen as accessible, positive supports for the youth.

Summer Wayner:

‍My experience doing outreach in the schools has been amazing, engaging with the students on their activities and/or work has been a fun experience and just being able to help them with whatever they need. When I first started working as a Youth Elder, the students at Forest Lawn High School in the Indigenous Leadership Program were planning a family night and I was very nervous because I was still new to everything but it was very fun and seeing all the planning and preparing they did was very rewarding.

Why I decided to have my basketball court painted and what it means to me

The basketball court in my neighborhood has always been a place for me and other kids like me to lay back and enjoy ourselves. Every day after school, in summer, all the kids in the community would gather around the court to play basketball. I think one of the reasons people like basketball as a sport is because it doesn’t matter whether you are small or big, tall or short, fast or slow; it just doesn't matter. It is a great way to have fun with friends and a great place for the community to gather.  

Due to constant playing overtime, the court paint had faded to the extreme. At one point the lines started to completely disappear, and graffiti became a huge issue. Inappropriate drawings had been made time and time again but most of them faded away and gradually as the paint faded so did the number of children and youth playing at the court. At one point I stepped outside expecting to see a few people at the very least, but there was no one and I kind of just stared at the ground for a little, I didn't have an idea besides wanting to bring my community back together again with a sport we all enjoyed and nothing more.

I emailed my Team Lead, the Community Social Worker at Bob Bahan Community Hub about the idea expecting nothing more than a simple yes and I had to spray it on myself, but thank goodness she's smart, and she transformed my tiny dream into a reality, so she deserves some props too. With her help and connections, we got to turn my idea into a whole event gathering and brought the whole community together so that kids in the neighborhood can rejoice again.  

Now, when I step outside the only thing, I can hear is laughter from kids enjoying the sport.

Discussing the mural ideas was a challenging process, but we did get it done after a while, and with the design, ideas and preparations all made, we were good to go. To me, this finally means that the kids in the community that I play with no longer argue over rules and points; this also meant I could welcome fresh faces to the sport due to the graffiti being covered by the beautiful mural created by the youth and volunteers from the community, Surafiel from Planet Youth, Jeff from Antyx and his crew. This finally meant that this once beautiful basketball court had been rejuvenated and had to life.  

Now, when I step outside the only thing, I can hear is laughter from kids enjoying the sport. I now enjoy the court myself and to see such life grow from our community, neighborhood and even Forest lawn area gives me just an overwhelming sense of happiness. Now that the graffiti had been covered up, the lines were painted back and the youth had something to look forward to after school and on weekends, I can finally rest easy knowing my community can thrive once again.

One of the key components of Planet Youth Calgary is its Indigenous Parallel. Incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing throughout the development of Planet Youth ensures United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way) honours Indigenous ways while taking important steps towards reconciliation. Indigenous voices have been fundamental in building the Planet Youth Calgary initiative and we have engaged with Indigenous youth and Elders for their guidance and knowledge.

Part of this parallel approach is Planet Youth’s annual pipe ceremony. Every year, the ceremony is an opportunity to reflect, learn, listen and connect.

Cadena Brazeau is from Keeseekoowenin First Nation in Treaty Two Territory. She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty One Territory and currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, Treaty Seven Territory, where she is completing her undergraduate degree in Law and Society. Cadena serves as the President of the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Students’ Circle and is an active member of Miskanawah's Diamond Willow Youth Lodge, Youth Council.

The following is her experience and reflection on the ceremony.

Honouring Time Immemorial Practices

Indigenous peoples apcross Turtle Island host pipe ceremonies to embark on new journeys and seek blessings to guide individuals and communities. The pipe ceremony is deeply significant for inviting the Creator’s guidance to lead individuals and communities in a good way. Recognizing the traditional legal systems and governance embedded within many Indigenous traditions, pipe carriers honour their teachings by sharing their wisdom.

On October 31, 2024, Planet Youth Calgary hosted its second annual pipe ceremony at the Grey Eagle Event Centre on Tsuut’ina Nation, within Treaty Seven Territory.  

The ceremony was led by pipe carrier and Elder Patrick Diagneault, accompanied by his partner Patricia Diagneault and other locally respected Elders, including Drs. Reg and Rose Crowshoe CM, Bruce and Deanna Starlight, Marina Crane and Paul Daniels. Elder Patrick also conducted last year’s inaugural pipe ceremony for United Way of Calgary and Area, marking a historic moment for the organization. These Elders led the group with wisdom and care, sharing their deep connection to the community along with their teachings and guidance for each attendee.

Joining the Elders in attendance were Youth Elders — Taylor Bottle, Tara Brass and Summer Wayner — a collective of young leaders dedicated to uplifting the Indigenous community though Planet Youth. These Youth Elders connect and mentor other young people within the city of Calgary at local schools. Honouring and uplifting other young Indigenous peoples, they embody the mission of Planet Youth’s Indigenous Parallel.
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Ceremonial Roads to Reconciliation

This year’s pipe ceremony brought together a diverse group of people — Elders, youth, adults and stakeholders from various walks of life. Creating space for Indigenous peoples to practice ceremony, which was once prohibited, is an act of reconciliation. These ceremonies also provide non-Indigenous participants with opportunities to engage, learn and bridge gaps to create understanding. During the ceremony, Planet Youth leaders, and Youth Elders shared their experiences, struggles and triumphs over the past year with the assembled witnesses.

By integrating ceremonial practices into organizational frameworks, Planet Youth demonstrates the importance of reconciliation in action. Their commitment to honouring traditional systems, decolonizing spaces and paving the road for future generations of young professionals, advocates and community leaders is an important addition to this relationship. Reflecting on the positive impact of these ceremonies, it is evident that Planet Youth is committed to fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities under the Indigenous Parallel, allowing the pipe to lead us all in a good way.

Planet Youth has hosted four ceremonies in the last two years, including two naming ceremonies, a tea ceremony and the annual pipe ceremony. Each ceremony is a step toward decolonizing spaces and rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. ‍

Importance of the Indigenous Parallel

The Indigenous Parallel is a collaboration between Miskanawah and Planet Youth, designed to support young urban Indigenous peoples in Calgary. The Parallel focuses on mental health and wellness initiatives, reconnecting urban Indigenous individuals to community and resources, and amplifying the voices of Indigenous youth. Youth Elders visit schools and organizations across Calgary, serving as role models and advocating for their community. The Parallel also provides equitable resources and opportunities for Indigenous youth, ensuring that they have the support of a community along every step of their journeys.

Planet Youth Calgary is United Way’s most ambitious signature initiative-to-date. Planet Youth Calgary is the largest implementation in Canada and the largest urban implementation in North America. It is working to create stronger connections between young people and their families, caregivers, peers, schools and communities, policy makers and researchers. Planet Youth Calgary aims to improve the social environment for youth by creating opportunities for participation in activities and recreation that promote wellbeing, access to basic needs and safe spaces, and promoting upstream preventative solutions to the challenges our young people face.

Learn more about Planet Youth Calgary.

To learn more about the Planet Youth Indigenous Parallel Youth Wellbeing Circles and how they empower Indigenous young people while building meaningful connections, tune in to Episode 9 of the Social Impact Lab's Responsible Disruption podcast.