Next Up

 This year’s participants have been working on an array of exciting projects. A Next Up contingent joined 25,000 others for the 100% Possible March for Climate Change in November to say that renewable energy and substantial climate justice are 100% possible.

From hosting movie nights, to leading “Apartheid 101” workshops, Charana Jayatilaka, Braydon Dunn, and Nazneen Khan have been showing solidarity with Palestine through Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA). In an effort to combat the increase in hate crimes directed at Muslim communities and individuals in Canada, Samiha Rayeda has been organizing and co-facilitating anti-Islamophobia workshops for Ottawa folks. The workshops help participants understand the root of Islamophobia, how it manifests, and how to prevent it. 

Next Up Saskatchewan has Sweet New Friends at Emmanuel Church

by Rissy Hantke

Saskatoon's 2015-16 Next Up cohort are the grateful recipients of a generous donation from Emmanuel Anglican Church who will provide snacks for the program throughout this year! At the October 31st orientation, the cohort was surprised by Shelly Hawes, a volunteer from the church who showed up in her Halloween costume to deliver an interesting snack disguised as a litter box complete with toffee turds and a litter scoop to serve the treat.

Next Up Saskatchewan is happy to have new funding commitments this year including from Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union, which has previously given but recently committed to a larger annualized contribution. 

On November 14, 2015, Janelle Pewapsconias won the 2015 Multicultural Youth Leadership award at the Multicultural Honours event held by Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan in Regina. Janelle is an alumnus of the 2014 Next Up: First Nation and Métis Youth in Action program and facilitator of the program in 2015. 

Thank you everyone who applied for and referred people to apply for the full-length leadership in Winnipeg for the 2015-16 year. the program is now underway. 

Thank you everyone who applied for and referred people to apply for the full-length leadership programs this year. In Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and Ottawa we've concluded our interviews, selected the participants, and are starting up the programs over the next two weeks.  In Winnipeg, we're reviewing applications and getting ready to interview folks at the end of October so that we can get started in early November.

The second annual Next Up: First Nations and Métis Youth in Action intensive took place August 26-30 in Saskatoon. Ten participants took part including young leaders from across Saskatchewan as well as one from BC and one from Alberta. The participants learned about decolonization, storytelling, communications and media, anti-racism and queer resurgence, changing and Indigenizing institutions, environment and climate justice, and much more! The five-day program was exhilirating, inspiring and a little bit exhausting! Here are some of the participants' words about it:

"This program made me feel inspired - it pushed me out of my comfort zone and touched me on a very personal level. I honestly feel like I've grown and changed in such a short period of time. I will continue to be an advocate and leader in all things I do!" - Lisa Munroe

Applications for the 2015/16 year for the Next Up program in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Ottawa are now closed.

Applications are being accepted for Next Up Winnipeg until 11 pm October 13, 2015.

You can learn more about applying and download your application form here.

We are so pleased to welcome Sam Ponting to her new position as the coordinator for Next Up BC. Previous to this, Sam worked as the founding coordinator for Next Up Ottawa.

Sam's major introduction to social movements began on campus, where her disdain for militarism led her to join the Student Coalition Against War. As an anti-war and anti-apartheid organizer, Sam worked extensively with a variety of community partners to build up public pressure against harmful Canadian foreign policy. She spent several years working in the student movement, most recently as the Membership Coordinator of the Graduate Students' Association at Carleton University, where she organized campaigns.  

Passionate about Indie media, Sam sits on the editorial board of RankandFile.ca, a site committed to providing Canadian labour news and analysis from a critical perspective.

Sam likes hiking, camping, and biking, and is stoked to finally set up shop on the West Coast, where Vancouver makes form some nice mountain gazing and galavanting. In her down time, she seeks out different musical outlets, including drums, guitar, and ukelele.

She’s looking forward to exploring Vancouver and getting to meet, and collaborate with the many networks of progressives and Next Up alumni throughout BC.

Contact Sam Ponting

Thanks to all of you awesome people who applied to the First Nations & Métis Youth in Action summer program.  We're taking time now to review applications and will be in touch soon with shortlisted applicants.