Honouring Nations Canada, an Initiative of Fulbright Canada, was pleased to support ten Indigenous youth from Kw’umut Lelum Children’s Services as they embarked on a week-long adventure to Boston. In partnership with the Maple Leaf Foundation and Kw’umut Lelum, we are pleased and privileged to support initiatives such as this one, which provides experiential learning opportunities for Indigenous youth.
Below are a few photos and an article that details the youth’s experience, which initially appeared in Kw'umut Lelum's Four Directions newsletter in December 2023. To see the full newsletter and learn more about this journey, visit here: https://www.flipsnack.com/kwumut/kw-umut-lelum-newsletter-winter-2023.html
In September 2023, a group of young minds from our 9 Nations of Kw’umut Lelum embarked on a transformative and inspiring journey to Boston, Massachusetts. This remarkable expedition was a testament to the power of dreams and the dedication of those who believe in the potential of our youth.
The seeds of this journey were sown in 2019 when Kw’umut Lelum Executive Director William Yoachim, Step-up Team Leader Tim Harris, and Ralph Nilson, the former President of Vancouver Island University, initiated discussions about opening doors to a world of educational opportunities. Despite their best intentions, the initial plans were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their determination was unwavering, and in 2023, we resurrected the dream of making this experience possible for the youth of Kw’umut Lelum.
With the help of Fulbright Canada – an organization that supports educational exchanges between Canada and the US – through support from its Honouring Nations Canada Initiative and its partners at the Maple Leaf Foundation, Kw’umut Lelum youth headed off for a taste of some of America’s most prestigious educational institutions, and some cross-cultural sharing!
The youth were able to experience the Peabody Museum of Anthropology in Boston - one of the oldest anthropology museums in the world. It houses a massive collection of artifacts from around the globe, including many items that originated in Coast Salish territories. They toured Harvard University - the first college established in the American colonies and whose Charter of 1650, which continues to govern the institution, pledges the University to “the education of English and Indian youth.” They were also treated to a visit to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and cultural exchange at the Harvard Pow-Wow, in between experiencing the sights of this historic American city.
“Travel and exchanging ideas with other people beyond your own community is really enriching for our children,” says Tim Harris, Step Up Team Lead and trip chaperone. “It opens us up to start thinking about different possibilities for ourselves and builds important life skills.” 
This trip was not just about crossing geographical boundaries but about showing the endless possibilities the world has to offer. It was a journey to demonstrate that these opportunities are not distant dreams but are well within our youth’s grasp.
This journey was a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and determination. It showcased the potential of our youth and the boundless opportunities that await them in this world. As we look forward to the future, our youth are ready to embrace the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for each one of them. We raise our hands to our youth and every single person who made this journey possible.