b'RIVERS TO SUCCESSHopefully, we can agree thatan incredible pool of mentorsset out to build the largest online unshared experiences are anto choose from. And that is justcommunity of Indigenous students often-wasted resource and thatthe start.in Canada by creating a blog and the power to create a betterutilizing social media channels. future lies within each of us. We allEVENTS, RESOURCES carry knowledge and experiences& DIFFERENT TYPES OFWe are opening up the blog to with us, but too often we focusMENTORSHIP all Indigenous students who are all available energy on our ownDuring COVID-19, it was a gambleinterested in contributing content. advancement. But what if thereto ask people for their time. WithThis will accomplish two things: it were an easier way to share theseclasses and most everythingwill provide students with a way experiences and mobilize peopleselse being delivered virtually,to build their digital portfolio of stories? At Indspire, we have beenwe found it difficult to maintainwritten work while also giving them obsessed with this challenge overstudent attendance numbers ata unique venue in which to share the past couple of years.our events. This was made evenand access experiences. more interesting by the fact that Rivers to Success is all aboutwe consistently had many studentsOur approach to social media providing a platform for these expe- registering; they just werentis much the same. We will offer riences to be shared. As part ofmaking it to events. It wasnt thestudents the opportunity to our planning, we put stories at thecontent, but rather the deliverycontribute content in the form of centre of everything and workedthat needed to be adjusted.images, videos and shared posts backward. This allowed us to focusthat help build awareness for all on three main delivery points:We decided to build a website for traditional mentorship, passivethe program, riverstosuccess.ca,of the content that is out there and group mentorship (throughthat would serve as a hub for all whether it was created by the resources and events), and peerof the content available to partici- program or not. We want to build a mentorship through creating apants. In creating that website,community that welcomes sharing community within the program. though, we made our events andstories and offers a safe space for resources open to the generalstudents to connect with each TRADITIONAL MENTORSHIPpublic. Now, not only programother. At its core, we want to leave As a mentorship program, Riversparticipants, but other Indigenousspace for a community built by to Success is primarily structuredstudents can access the helpfulIndigenous students for Indigenous to facilitate connections betweeninformation we have made avail- students on the platforms they are Indigenous students and mentors.able. In a world where on-demandusing the most. Whether it be peers, upper- user experiences rule all else, classmen, graduates or volunteersit is important that our contentHOW CAN YOU HELP?from companies partnered withcontinues to meet First Nations,If you want to participate in Indspire, our goal is to have everyInuit and Mtis students wherethis program as a mentee or interested student matched upthey arenot where we are askingmentor, please visit the website with someone who can helpthem to be. This includes exploringat riverstosuccess.ca to register. If provide guidance and support.how students can benefit from theyou have an idea for the program Ideally, these connections will be aexperience of others, whether thator want to contribute in another catalyst for more involved relation- be mentors or peers, through theway, please contact me directly at ships that become cornerstones ofdelivery of resources and helpfulbmeawasige@indspire.ca. Id be the network students are startinginformation in group settingshappy to have that conversation. to build. While we hope to providewith our events and on-demand the space for these connections,platforms like our website orFor now, I hope that you help it is encouraged for these relation- mentorship portal.spread the word about this ships to take on a life of their own once initiated.SOCIAL MEDIA & THE RIVERSprogram and encourage any TO SUCCESS BLOG Indigenous students you may know, Because we partner with manyIn addition to exploring oursupport or teach to check out what of Canadas top employers, post- delivery, we had to address accesswe have to offer. It is with great secondary institutions, non-profitto the program. For the firstpleasure that I share this news and organizations and a vast networktwo years, individuals had to berenew this organizations commit-of people previously supportedregistered for the program in orderment to meeting students where by Indspire, Rivers to Successto access available content or bethey areboth this year and into participants will have access toinvited to events. Now, we havethe future.56indspiration2022'