b'NEW PERSPECTIVES students, their parents, grand- When I attend different events, a focus that has put Indspire parents, teachers and communitylarge or small, local or national,on the path that its audiences leadersis important for buildingIm also seeking potential vendors,mapped out for themselves, so relationships that ensure Indspireexhibitors, speakers, entertainmentthat Indspire can confidently is able to have a positive impactand cultural leaders and performersdeliver the content they want on as many Indigenous people asto collaborate with us as Indspirein ways that truly resonate for possible. I try to make my presenta- strives to make the Nationalthem. And I intend to keep tions as dynamic as possible soGathering and Soaring eventsbuilding on relationships across that the people I meet get accuratememorable and meaningful forTurtle Island via email, phone information in a way thats relatableeveryone involved.calls, social media, radio and and engaging.print campaigns, and articles My focus is guided by the needs ofone car, boat, or plane ride at During the past year, I was able tothe audiences that Indspire servesa time. visit several communities along the northern coast of British Columbia that have connections to LNG Canada. I travelled by boat with LNG Canada representatives to meet with educators and students to promote Soaring, Indspires annual Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering, which was being held right in their backyard, and weSt. Lawrence College is situated on the wanted them to come. Well, almosttraditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples; we are grateful in their backyard! It still took quiteto live and learn on these lands. With a bit of logistical organizationcampuses in Kingston, Brockville, and to get them from their small,Cornwall, SLC delivers education and training that meet the needs of isolated communities all the waycommunity, industry, and employers.to Vancouver. The College prepares students to succeed This tremendous opportunity wouldin the global economy through relevant, practical programs and experiential likely have been missed if LNGlearning opportunities. SLC oers hadnt recognized that they neededfacilitated admission for Indigenous someone who could fully explainstudents, a dedicated Indigenous Services team, and a place for belonging and what Soaring was aboutand whyconnection at the Waasaabiidaasamose the teachers should work towardsIndigenous Centre.getting their students to this exciting event. I was glad to fulfil this roleLEARNin a number of B.C. communitiesMOREthat work closely with LNG Canada projects in the Haisla Nation region along the northern coast. They include Gitgaat, Gitxaala, Metlakatla, Lax Kwalaams and Kitamaat, with a total of 43 students registered to attend Soaring. Its not a huge number, but having an influence on even one students perspective and possibilities is worthwhile. In fact, everyone from those communities who attended Soaring 2025 was so impressed that theyve already committed to coming to Halifax for Soaring 2026!2025indspiration39'