One of the workshops at Dawson’s 2023 Ped Day on Oct. 13 was Indigenous Youth Perspectives: Community Care and Practical Strategies, Bettering the Student Experience.

Two young people who are part of the Indigenous Stream of the Quebec Youth Research Chair at Concordia University presented a postcard series, one of the tools they have created to express themselves and to get people thinking and discussing.

This group has been meeting online and in person for a few years. Sébastien Lamarre-Tellier, a medical student at McGill University, is Innu and a member of the network’s youth advisory committee. Sebastien told Concordia communications that they have been “coming together to share our cultures, be visible and make some noise to show that our cultures are alive and growing.”

The postcard that stood out for many at Dawson was one with an image of two people in a canoe at the centre. The centre is bright and focused on Nature with positive words emphasized. The city and negative elements are there but in the background.

Sébastien said that young Indigenous people “need to express ourselves.” He also said they are looking for a guide in a teacher, someone “to walk in the forest with them.” The image of the canoe has the elder or the teacher in the back helping to steer.

Visit the link to see all the postcards, which can lead to great conversations and rich reflections.