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Our Future Generations

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NIKAN’USK (MI’KMAQ: LEADER) LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

The Nikan’usk program focuses on creating culturally appropriate youth leadership development opportunities for youth throughout Waponahkik.

Nikan’usk Leadership Development focuses on creating opportunities for Wabanaki youth to connect inter-tribally as well as within their own tribal communities to integrate leadership skills they’ve gained to carry on to our next generations. We focus on engaging Wabanaki youth through fostering healthy development, building leadership skills, positive relationships, and promoting deeper cultural connections. A main component of the Nikan’usk division is the tribal youth council. Youth council members engage in projects focused primarily on cultural preservation, social change, environmental knowledge, individual/community wellness, and community service.

INTERTRIBAL YOUTH COUNCIL

Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness works with each of the five tribal communities to support youth-led youth councils with middle school aged youth up to age 24. Youth council helps empower young people by providing a safe and supportive platform to uplift their voices. Youth council members are involved in community activities that focus on language preservation, traditional arts and crafts, and traditional dance throughout the year. These events honor and celebrate their individuality and culture alike to help strengthen their cultural identity, and to ensure these traditions are passed down to future generations. Click here to learn more about Youth Council.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

We support youth-led and youth-serving programming that builds young people’s resilience and strengthens youth leadership on issues of public health, restorative practices, outdoor experiential learning, and social justice. Our goal is to help as many youth as possible reclaim their cultural identity, and help empower them to make positive changes within their communities and beyond.

SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION

Our substance use prevention efforts include supporting community health fairs, tabling at community celebration days,  hosting “Culture is Prevention” efforts and activities, hosting substance–free community events, and providing prevention education/trainings.

What We Do

We engage in a wide range of activities that celebrate our culture, build community, and create opportunities for growth and leadership:

  • Celebrate and Connect:
    • Fundraise for and attend the annual United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) conference with over 2,000 Indigenous youth across Turtle Island.
    • Host and participate in cultural exchanges and an annual intertribal campout in Millinocket.
    • Serve food, sing, and dance at WPHW’s annual Wabanaki Social.
    • Partake in cultural activities like making regalia, medicine bags, hand drums, and beading.
  • Learn and Lead:
    • Attend leadership events like the MYAN Youth Leadership Conference.
    • Build skills and capacity through PhotoVoice photography classes, internships with Wabanaki Public Health and Wabanaki Youth in Science (WaYS), and other exciting collaborations.
    • Tour colleges and universities during junior and senior years of high school.
    • Develop policies and lead projects focused on language, culture, and the environment.
  • Incorporate Culture:
    • Engage in ceremonies such as smudging, sweat lodges, and sunrise ceremonies.
    • Infuse culture into meetings and activities to ensure they reflect our values.
  • Create and Collaborate:
    • Plan and host events like color runs, movie nights, and community fundraisers.
    • Encourage youth voices and leadership to spark change and personal growth.
    • Welcome everyone and their ideas to foster collaboration and inclusion.
  • Make a Difference Together:
    • Strengthen our communities through meaningful projects and shared experiences.
    • Spend quality time together while hosting events, traveling, and building lifelong connections.

Through all of this, we work to inspire motivation, deepen cultural appreciation, and empower youth to lead.

YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES: 

Penobscot Youth invited to the White House Tribal Youth Forum

Penobscot Nation Youth Council recognized as UNITY Youth Council of the Year 2022

Wabanaki Youth Council made their regalia for and attended the 2024 UNITY conference in Portland, Oregon with over 3,000 youth (the largest conference to date)

Penobscot youth council member lead a workshop at 2024 UNITY conference 

Passamaquoddy youth council member lead a workshop and helped host 2023 MYAN Youth Leadership Conference

Maliseet Youth Council hosted Korean cultural exchange event

Penobscot Nation Youth Council hosted community color run

For more information, please contact April Lola at alola@wabanakiphw.org