Pathways: Closing a Chapter, Continuing the Journey

As this phase of the Pathways project comes to a close, the story is still unfolding. This blog captures just a glimpse of the work that has taken place over the past few months—a reflection of the many voices, relationships, and innovations that have shaped Pathways. It’s not a conclusion, but a continuation.

Throughout the project, Indigenous youth, Elders, community leaders, organizations, and partners from across the country came together to create tools, programs, and opportunities rooted in culture, connection, and community leadership. These efforts have laid the foundation for ongoing collaboration and lasting impact.

In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more stories and resources developed through Pathways, including the Indigenous Workplace Learning Framework (IWLF). This living resource reflects the knowledge, strengths, and experiences of everyone involved. Designed to be flexible and community-led, the IWLF offers practical tools that can be adapted to meet the needs of different communities, organizations, and learners.

The partnerships built through Pathways will carry forward, and so will the learning, because while this chapter may be ending, the journey continues.

Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles

The Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC) program is all about helping Indigenous youth build confidence, develop practical skills, and stay connected to their culture. Delivered in partnership with the Stoney Nation Job Resource Centre (SNJRC), this program provides a safe space in Mînî Thnî where young people can explore job opportunities, learn hands-on skills, and discover how cultural teachings can guide them in both work and life. It is not just about finding a job; it is about discovering their voice, recognizing their strengths, and finding their place in their community.

This year, the program prioritized sustainability by mentoring youth and former participants to step into facilitation roles. Dakota is one of these young leaders who transformed his passion for drum-making into an opportunity to teach, inspire, and give back.

Dakota’s Story

"What inspired me to take the facilitator role for the Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles program was the idea of giving back to my community—sharing my knowledge and stories of my path to success and its challenges.

Having most participants being in the same age category as me helps me relate to similar challenges that we’ve been through and how we, as a group, can move forward. I didn’t have a specific experience that pushed me to become a facilitator, but growing up, my father was my mentor, and drum-making was my passion that evolved into facilitating.

As a former participant of IWLC, I noticed there was no land-based learning or hands-on cultural learning, and the group I was with struggled to understand the nine essential skills. When IWLC came back to Mînî Thnî, I was approached by my father and IWLC and was asked to help with drum-making for two programs. That’s where I started to assist with the cultural side of the program.

Going through the drum-making process, I began sharing how the skills we use culturally are the same skills we can use in our work environment. That’s where we started talking and showing that everyone has transferable skills.

One thing I am most proud of when facilitating is seeing everyone walk out happy, motivated, and engaged with their continued path to success. Hearing participants come back to share their success stories after completing an IWLC program brings me joy. And physically seeing everyone’s drum come to life throughout the week gives me a good feeling." — Dakota

Empowering Voices

Early this year, Pathways and its partners piloted a new workshop, Empowering Voices, in both Calgary and Ottawa. Designed to help Indigenous youth build essential communication, public speaking, and interview skills, this workshop was delivered in partnership with the Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G) in Ottawa, a youth-led, grassroots Indigenous organization. Empowering Voices is a powerful example of Pathways’ holistic approach, supporting youth in developing confidence and communication skills through culturally rooted methods, including talking circles, storytelling, and guidance from Elders.

Youth participated in interactive activities like “Hot Topics,” where they pulled a random topic from a box and spoke on it for two minutes, practicing quick thinking and speaking with confidence. They explored their cultural heritage through mind mapping traditional stories, presenting them to the group, and engaging in talking circles, where they could share and listen without judgment.

The workshop also featured a mock panel discussion, with topics created through a group brainstorming session. Some of the panel topics chosen by participants included “Living on Reserve vs. Off Reserve” and “Marvel vs. DC.” This allowed youth to practice public speaking and share their insights on subjects that mattered to them, both serious and lighthearted.

Here’s what some of the participants had to say:

 “I got the courage to be more open, gained confidence, and learned to use my voice proudly.”

 “I loved the interactions. Getting to know who is in my community in this area was helpful.”

 “I’m still anxious, but I will work on it. I learned great skills and tactics.”

Community Engagement and Youth Leadership in Saugeen First Nation

Since our last Pathways update, where Youth Advisors Leigha and Anthony joined Senator Boyer at the Senate to share their innovative youth leadership work in Saugeen First Nation, their impact has continued to grow. These young leaders have been at the heart of a series of meaningful initiatives in their community and the Pathways project, each rooted in cultural connection, leadership development, and community involvement.

Anthony has been an active leader, helping to guide the Community Warriors Workshop, an online space where young Indigenous men can explore leadership skills, share stories, and build confidence. Supported by Elders who brought cultural wisdom and guidance, this workshop emphasized mentorship, cultural knowledge, and vulnerability as strengths. It provided a safe and supportive environment for young men to connect, learn, and support one another.

He also contributed to the Empowering Voices Workshop, a multi-day program in Ottawa where youth developed public speaking skills and leadership confidence through activities like speech writing and presentation coaching.

Leigha has led a variety of community-wide events that bring people together—from cultural celebrations and sports tournaments to educational workshops. She has organized initiatives like the Basic Necessities Campaign, which provided essential supplies to children facing family challenges, and a Community Clean-Up Project, where youth practiced environmental stewardship and supported Elders.

Her efforts also include organizing youth outings and land-based activities like Beach Day, where young people connected with nature, enjoyed activities like canoeing, kayaking, and tug-of-war, and strengthened their sense of community.

Together, Leigha and Anthony’s work demonstrates the impact of youth-driven, culturally grounded initiatives that build confidence, resilience, and skills that last a lifetime.

Anthony on Becoming a Pathways Youth Advisor

"Originally, when I was asked to get involved, I didn’t know where I fit in the community. I knew I was an active leader on my own terms, but I didn’t know where I belonged.

Now, I feel like I’ve really found my grounding and my footing. It has brought me to places like this, meeting and networking with amazing people. My repertoire is growing as I connect with so many, and I’m able to bring that knowledge and experience back to my community—which is so important because I am an asset to my community." — Anthony

Learning Without Limits: Pathways' Online Resources

Learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms—it happens wherever there’s a connection. On a laptop in a busy kitchen, a phone screen during a quiet bus ride, or a tablet in a community centre, digital skills are essential in today’s world. Recognizing this, Pathways partners have come together to create flexible online learning opportunities that bring essential skills, cultural teachings, and digital literacy to people wherever they are.

We launched the Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC) Online Facilitator Training, a program designed to prepare facilitators to lead online, in-person, and hybrid learning for Indigenous learners. Participants explored digital facilitation techniques and self-paced eLearning courses, discovering new ways to help learners build confidence, workplace skills, and digital literacy.

We also developed a new series of Skills for Success courses shaped by feedback from Indigenous youth and Pathways partners. These self-paced courses include Building Healthy Relationships and Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, and Building Self-Esteem for Success in the Workplace and Beyond. Each course goes beyond skill-building to support self-discovery and provide practical tools for life, work, and community.

To complement these learning resources, we also created a Resume Builder tool—a guided, accessible resource designed to help learners reflect on their experiences and present their strengths confidently to potential employers.

These online tools are just one part of a larger journey. In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more stories and resources from Pathways, celebrating the voices, wisdom, and innovation of the many Elders, Indigenous youth, and communities who guided this work and brought these tools to life.

Thank You to Our National Advisory Circle

The Pathways project has been deeply shaped and strengthened by the guidance of its National Advisory Circle (NAC)—a group that includes Elders and Knowledge Keepers Ningwakwe George, Ted Norris (both of whom have served as NAC Chair), and Vinnia Van Overdyk, alongside Indigenous youth. The NAC has played a central role in shaping the project’s vision, guiding the development of resources and programs, and ensuring the work remains grounded in Indigenous knowledge, values, and mentorship.

As the project comes to a close, the NAC continues to guide the evaluation and wrap-up process. Their leadership is helping ensure that Pathways not only reflects meaningfully on its impact but also lays the foundation for future efforts that support Indigenous youth and communities.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of the National Advisory Circle for their leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment throughout the Pathways journey. Your voices have shaped this work in powerful and lasting ways.

Thank You to all Our Pathways Partners

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to the Pathways project—Elders, Indigenous youth and their communities, community leaders, Indigenous organizations, Literacy and Essential Skills experts, and employers from across Canada. Your guidance, insights, and innovative ideas have helped shape the Indigenous Workplace Learning Framework (IWLF) into a practical and adaptable tool that reflects community strengths, needs, and cultural contexts.

The IWLF is grounded in the values of reciprocity, flexibility, and community-led development. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, it is a living resource designed to be shaped by the communities who use it, and to continue growing through shared learning and experience. Thank you for being part of this important journey.

In Celebration of Ted Norris and Trevor Freeman

We honour and remember two extraordinary individuals whose contributions have left a lasting legacy at FESA and within the Pathways project—Trevor Freeman and Ted Norris.

Trevor played a vital role in the development of digital resources throughout the Pathways project. His leadership and creativity helped shape several of the project’s most impactful online tools, including the digital versions of Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles, Online Meeting Basics, and Your Place in the Circle. His thoughtful approach and technical expertise made learning accessible, engaging, and grounded in the spirit of community.

During Trevor’s time at the Further Education Society, he worked closely with many of our staff and project consultants. To work with Trevor was to truly know him—to sit with him, hear stories of his family and experiences, and even solve the world’s problems together. His leadership in eLearning program development was marked by encouragement, reassurance, and a touch of humor. — Teal Dratowany, Executive Director,  FESA

Ted Norris also had a profound impact at FESA. As Chair of the NAC for Pathways, Ted was a guiding force—offering vision, mentorship, and steady leadership throughout. His work helped build strong partnerships across the country and ensured that Indigenous voices remained at the centre of everything we built. From shaping the Indigenous Workplace Learning Framework to supporting youth and community-driven initiatives, Ted’s influence can be seen in every part of the project.

Ted was a very special man. Strong, intelligent, and vibrant. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, and deeply passionate about his work with FESA. He was an inspiration to all of us, and we move forward honouring him by completing the work he helped to begin.— Elaine Cairns, Former Executive Director, FESA and Regional Community Facilitator, Pathways

Ted and Trevor brought heart, humour, and vision to everything they did. We carry their legacy forward with deep gratitude.

More Stories to Come

Pathways has created a foundation of strong partnerships, practical tools, and Indigenous-led programs that will continue to grow and support communities beyond the project’s end. While this phase is coming to a close, the work continues. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more stories, tools, and resources developed through Pathways. The relationships and momentum built through this project will carry forward—because although this chapter is ending, the story is still being written.

Pathways was funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Program.