Canada Bridges annual AYE (A Youth Explosion) is a collaboratively planned event that provides a space for Southern Alberta’s Indigenous youth, mainly from the Siksika, Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuu T’ina Nations, as well as from Calgary and other nearby urban centres to share their stories and personal wisdom. At the time of the event, many of the youth presenters will have participated in Canada Bridges Unveiling Youth Potential programs, which is a youth empowerment initiative aimed at realizing the potential of youth by supporting their leadership roles in building strong, resilient communities.
Check out our video from this years AYE:
AYE also provides a space for youth to have their voices heard during the planning process. During the planning stage, youth staff work alongside a youth volunteer planning committee to help create and execute a vision for the event. Working collaboratively with the youth is an important mandate of the event because it helps to ensure that each year’s AYE is unique. AYE is at its core is a youth story sharing event and planning is an important aspect of the story being shared. We think that it is important that youth participate in the planning process as well the being presenters on stage.
This program would not be possible without funding from Suncor, the Government of Alberta, Heritage Canada, Calgary Foundation, Shaw, Loyalty One, and TC Energy.
Want to be involved? Email us at aye@canadabridges.com