How a Simple Partnership Between the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth and the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace Facilitates Indigenous Youth Gathering
Story by Saad Iqbal
During any given week, some 100 to 200 Indigenous youth gather at the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) in Calgary. What facilitates these gatherings is something simple yet meaningful: the gathering tables funded by the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace. Inspired by Gandhi’s life and principles, the Foundation envisions a just and peaceful society and advances its initiatives through education, reconciliation, and youth engagement.
The partnership with USAY is one of many that help the Gandhi Foundation realize its vision and mission.
These funded tables remain a key aspect of gathering, assembling, and making relationships among Indigenous youth participating in the organization’s programming. The Gandhi Foundation continues to find other ways to collaborate and partner with external organizations to carry out its initiatives and promote peace.
These funded tables remain a key aspect of gathering, assembling, and making relationships among Indigenous youth participating in the organization’s programming. The Gandhi Foundation continues to find other ways to collaborate and partner with external organizations to carry out its initiatives and promote peace.
A little about USAY and its History
USAY was formally established in 2001 with the support of the Family and Community Support Services, United Way, the Métis Nation of Alberta, and Alberta Community Development. The Society was created in response to a growing need for an Indigenous youth organization in Calgary. For more than 25 years, it has been one of Calgary’s leading Indigenous youth organizations, providing direct and indirect programming and services to Indigenous youth ages 12 to 29.
The organization’s mission is to empower Indigenous youth and foster collaboration and communication to ensure healthy future generations. Currently, thousands of Indigenous youth access the organization's services, ranging from backpack and lunch programs to workshops on food sovereignty, cultural enrichment, and mental health support. Through these programs, members also forge lasting connections and build community.
Want to get involved with USAY? You can learn more about supporting USAY’s Youth Programs and how to donate here.
Story of the Gathering Tables: The Gandhi Foundation and USAY Partnership
The partnership between the Gandhi Foundation and USAY is relatively new but ongoing. Although both organizations previously partnered on an activity in which youth wrote peace-themed letters for Mahatma Gandhi Day, the funding for the gathering tables is distinctive. When the opportunity arose to collaborate, the Gandhi Foundation saw great value in funding the gathering tables for USAY, as they help promote community building and cultural celebration for Indigenous youth.
“The Gandhi Foundation is unique in providing funds and doing its own activities. The letters our youth wrote were a unique opportunity as well”.
-LeeAnne, Executive Director, USAY
-LeeAnne, Executive Director, USAY
Today, the gathering tables continue to host a range of activities, including mental health programming, workshops, cooking, sharing meals, beading, ribbon skirts, conversations, cultural celebrations, and learning. Across these activities, the gathering tables have become a symbol of gathering and relationship-building.
“Infrastructure like tables is a key part of gathering and assembling, and for making relationships”
-LeeAnne, Executive Director, USAY
-LeeAnne, Executive Director, USAY
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Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations
LeeAnne Ireland, Executive Director of USAY, envisions future collaborations between the Gandhi Foundation and USAY as opportunities for mutual learning and partnerships rooted in shared values. USAY would like to see members of the Gandhi Foundation participate in events and programming that help them learn about Indigenous perspectives and teachings, while USAY members learn more about the principles of Gandhi’s philosophy and Mahatma Gandhi’s role in spreading peace.
Do you have ideas or suggestions for the Gandhi Foundation to partner with an external organization? You can reach out to the Foundation’s Secretary, Simone Shirvell, at [email protected]
