Cwelelep: Journeys from the Heart

Cwelelep: Journeys from the Heart is a youth-led project that supports community exploration of reconciliation by engaging youth, schools and organizations through workshops, training and the arts. 

We are excited to share updates on all four Cwelelep projects!! 

The Kiwetin Youth Project continued to meet regularly to work on the recording of their song and music video. The group was invited to the Métis Nation of Alberta’s Region 6’s Annual General Meeting in Northern Alberta to showcase their music and visual art. It was an amazing weekend and the Métis Nation was really impressed with the work of the youth and excited at the ways the project can grow and continue.

The IDEE Project, based in Edmonton, Alberta, is coordinated by three youth and made up of BIPOC youth ages of 15-19. They had an incredible retreat in October and are now working on a documentary that is being edited and leading to a film premiere in March. The youth and coordinators are all excited for the film and the premiere!

The Nelson Mural Project is made up of 30 diverse youth who are working on land-based art through Indigenous ways of knowing and being. They will soon begin a collaborative art mural that will proudly reflect on a large wall at the Nelson high school.

From the Heart: To the Roots now has 56 youth participants engaging with land-based teachings through the seasons. They had an exciting retreat in October where youth collaborated on a mix of dance, music, visual art, theatre and film. They are continuing to meet in smaller community groups with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and mentors and creating a final documentary that will be screened in March.