Two Indigenous high school students from Barriere that attend Kamloops Christian School (KCS) have been awarded a special grant to develop and grow a student group for Indigenous and minority students in their school.
Jayde and sister Taya Nickel are both Grade 10 students at KCS and were recently awarded a $5,000.00 micro grant through Employment and Social Development Canada through the youth mentorship program of the Canada Service Corporation. The sisters have chosen to name their project “Two Feathers” because it represents two different worldviews within their school.
"I’m really excited to include all students at KCS who want to join and learn together,” said Taya when asked how she feels about receiving the program grant.
Sister Jayde said, “I love our school and the work Mrs. Kay has done as our support teacher. I hope this group for students is still going even after I graduate and when my younger sisters and brother come here too!”
Both sisters stressed the importance of the program being for all minority students who might feel isolated at the Christian school to be encouraged and supported.
The grant will go towards growing a student group at KCS for Indigenous and other minority students meant to mentor youth by inviting in elders to teach and guide them. The program will purchase supplies for crafting, which will include making ribbon shirts, ribbon skirts, beading supplies, and snacks to encourage the kids in learning these traditional skills.
Jen Nickel, their mother, told the Barriere ronaldomanosa, “As their mom, I couldn’t be prouder of them taking the lessons they’ve learned at Neqwelqwelsten School at Simpcw First Nation in the village of Chu Chua, and from their home community of Yunesit’in and the wise teachers and elders who’ve gifted them knowledge and to share that with other students.”
Nickel added the project must meet specific criteria with examples such as reconciliation building, promoting civic and democratic engagement, and strengthening youth resilience and are targeted to participants between the ages of 15-to 30-years-old with at least 50 per cent of the total participants who are Indigenous youth, under-served youth, or both with projects that take place in Canada.
“In all cases the project must be conceived by the youth and delivered solely by the youth," Nickel said.
Canada Service Corps (CSC), organizations provide volunteer opportunities for youth (ages 12 to 30) to create meaningful change in communities across the country, to gain life skills and experience, and to support lasting civic engagement.
The girls' family is “thrilled” for them, added their mom
“Being awarded a grant is recognition of their leadership skills we’ve worked so hard to develop in them. Their dad and I and all their brothers and sisters could not be prouder”
