b'YOUTH PROFILEof my fellow youth on the Independent First Nations Youth Working Group, she says. So theyre really the first ones to have inspired me to do this. Seeing and hearing their confidence in me that I could represent them on a regional level in a really good way pushed me to be involved with the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council.Willoughby is also a recent graduate of the University of Victorias Social Dimensions of Health program, where community wellness was her research focus. I worked with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from my community, and my main question was how Elders and Knowledge Keepers in White Sand First Nation define community wellness, she explains. To answer this, I used a storytelling methodologyI met with these Elders two or three times just to hear these stories of community wellness back in the day and [in the present].I chose this path because Ive always been very passionate about our health and well-being as First Nations people, Willoughby continues, noting that she did her undergrad in psychology. I did end up switching it to [be] not so psychology-based but more community-based work. I understand the strength and the knowledge that each of our communities carry, and so thats kind of Youth Profile: why I went down the road of working with our Elders and Knowledge Keepers, because we have had our ways of taking Kyra Willoughby care of ourselves since time immemorial.Willoughby says she can see the issues many First Nations communities BY RICK GARRICK face, but she wanted to address those in W hite Sand First NationsWilloughby was elected to themore of a strength-based approach. I wanted to focus on the positive within Kyra WilloughbyOFNYPC this past March. I reallyour communities and how our health and credits her sister Jadewanted to be a part of something where Icommunity wellness could be improved, and the Independentcould use my voice to make sure that myshe explains. Another reason why I First Nations Youth Working Group forfellow Independent First Nations youthchose this path and this way of doing my inspiring her to pursue her role with thereally felt heard, valued and supported,research was because I really wanted to Ontario First Nations Young Peoplesshe says. I wanted to use my voice in ahelp to preserve the knowledge that our Council (OFNYPC). way that could create change, especiallyElders in our communities carry.I have been involved with quite a fewfor those youth who may not always feelWith many Elders getting older, different youth councils for quite a fewlike theyre being heard. This councilWilloughby recognizes the importance years now, says Willoughby. My olderreally felt like a place where I could upliftof listening to them while theyre still sister actually used to be one of the youththese other First Nations youth andhere. When they get called home, representatives for White Sand, so whenwhere I could really try my best to helpthey will take their stories and their she left that position, I was one of theshape a better future for all of us. knowledge with them. Personally, in my ones to take her place. Being one of theFor Willoughby, while the idea ofown community, I was attending some representatives, I sit on the Independentworking alongside leadership in Ontariocommunity meetings, and some of the First Nations Youth Working Group, sowas very inspiring, it was her peers thatElders and the members had voiced their Ive been in that position for quite somemade the difference. I wouldnt havewants and their need for people to come time now. been able to do this without the supportand hear what they have to say, she says. 32l I ssue2 2025/26C hIefs ofo ntarIo A dvocAte magazIne'