National Learning Community

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“I feel called to join an initiative that centers Indigenous voices first to find a more sustainable approach to decolonize in our everyday lives. I feel like there is a lack of knowledge, education, and ignorance when talking about ways of reconciliation, and I want to find meaningful ways of centering Indigenous voices wherever I go.”
- 2021 NLC Member Application

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“I’m excited by the NLC’s call to growing together, particularly there are few spaces to be able to grow into depth with relationships as there is a focus on quantity of connections rather than an intentional approach towards partnerships.”
- 2020 NLC Member

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“I was fortunate to attend an event organized by 4Rs NLC alumni. The event created such a safe, supportive, and open space for cross-cultural dialogue, reflection and relationship-building. The opportunity to engage in this environment was impactful, it felt authentic and personal. I felt really connected after. 4Rs’ emphasis on personal dialogue, relationship-building and community feels so healthy and productive"
- NLC 2021 Member

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“I think the most life-changing thing has been the people I’ve met through my NLC family! I have made lifelong friends that I share so many amazing memories with that I never would have if it wasn’t for 4Rs.”
- NLC 2019 Member

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“I think 4Rs presents a new paradigm and new way of doing things (maybe "new" isn't the right word, but you get what I mean) that distinguishes it from regular administrative or educational discussions. Some of the language pieces have become more mainstream thanks to the work of anti-oppression movements, but the caring, consideration, nonjudgmental attitudes, and loving that comes through when 4Rs peeps meet is literally a defining feature from someone observing the process. It's that cool.”
- NLC 2020 member

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“4Rs and the NLC gives more than it takes! The reciprocity I experienced was unreal and gave me a glimpse of what real community care and organizing can feel like.’
- NLC 2020 Member

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“I learned so much from the NLC, especially in how community care was modelled in all of our meetings and supports. It was a weird year to be doing the NLC but I am glad that there was so much space created to navigate that with us as a cohort.”
- NLC 2020 member

What is the NLC?

The National Learning Community (NLC) is a year-long leadership program for young people across the country to learn new ways of community organizing together as we take on the work of reconciliation and decolonization.

Our hope is to weave together networks of awesome young people, intergenerationally within communities, as well as with organizations and movements contributing to a healthier ecosystem for those of us moving forward with the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with a focus on CTA66.

Each year, we bring together teams of 2-4 young people between the ages of 18-30, who join the NLC to learn how we can:

Reimagine the process of reconciliation and decolonization through the lenses of healing justice, co-liberation, relationship to land, and gifts-based leadership;
Invest in our spirit, body, mind and emotions in ongoing capacity development for practicing community work;
Let go of harmful practices in our organizing so we can make room for new skills and knowledge;
Better understand the lived realities of a diversity of Indigenous and racialized young people and the entangled stories of colonization;
Equip ourselves and others to facilitate meaningful dialogue – making connections between values, theory and practice;
Contribute to a community of practice engaged in self-awareness, healing and future building.

The 4Rs National Learning Community builds on what we have learned through developing and putting into practice the 4Rs Framework for Cross-Cultural Dialogue, and our experiences supporting youth-led reconciliation since our first NLC cohort which we launched in 2017.

Throughout the year each team applies their learning from the NLC by planning and implementing a project, initiative or event relevant to the needs of their community, and one which encourages us along a path towards healing and generational change.

Together, we spend the year learning from each other as peers, from knowledge holders, movement builders, and from the real time challenges we face in our community organizing work.

With the voices of community in mind, it feels important to push back against “reconciliation” as a buzzword, knowing the purpose and intent of our actions will live on beyond a political or program mandate. We want to refocus our efforts so they are aligned with how Indigenous youth define this work, using what we’ve been learning about systems change and holding meaningful cross-cultural dialogue, while also acknowledging and honouring the definition of reconciliation residential school survivors outlined in the TRC process.

GET INVOLVED!

Donate to the NLC!

By donating, you’re helping empower Indigenous youth across the country to have a generational and systemic impact on their communities through capacity building & leadership training, projects and events.

Coming This Fall – Apply to the 2024 NLC Cohort

Applications for the 2022-23 NLC are closed and this year’s cohort is hard at work planning their community projects and gatherings. Keep an eye on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to stay informed and up to date about when applications will open up!

Since the start of the NLC in 2017, Indigenous youth, often with the support of BPOC and settler allies, have made big impacts in their communities through gatherings and projects they have accomplished through our program. While we know the true impact of this work is immeasurable we want to take a moment to recognize the work all these young people have done.

We’d like to take a moment to celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish over the past five years (ever good us):

The NLC members from many different nations, including Ojibway, Saulteaux, Inninew, Algonquin, Oneida, Inuit, Dene, Gwich’in, Inuvialuit, Nêhiyawak, Métis, Mi’kmaw, Ililiw, Nakoda, Nisga’a, Ts’msyen, Tahltan, and Wolastoqiyik nations.
106 NLC alumni who spend so much time learning and planning with us!
The elders, knowledge keepers, aunties, uncles, cousins, parents, little ones, community leaders, community members and changemakers who were able to participate and support the different NLC projects and gatherings.
The on-reserve, rural and urban communities that we have been able to support across different territories such as Vancouver, BC, Iqaluit, NU, Bunibonibee Cree Nation, MB, Thunder Bay, ON, Kingsclear First Nation, NB, Halifax, NS, Inuvik, NWT, and more!
The 25 in-person initiatives, ranging from on-the-land culture camps, BIPOC art shows, Indigenous drag shows, multi-day gatherings exploring Indigenous identity and solidarity, ceremonies, seasonal storytelling gatherings, gatherings centred around community healing, trips to visit Indigenous kin and strengthen relationships between communities, and more!
The 9 online gatherings focused on connection, culture, identity, and solidarity hosted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic!

We’d like to take a moment to celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish over the past five years (ever good us):

2019 Winnipeg NLC Team

2S Celebration

Hosted by Jake Tuesday and Lee McLean

2020 Iqaluit NLC Team

Ivviulutit Art Show

Hosted by Jukipa Kotierk and Jasleen Jawanda

2019 Lnu Crew NLC Team

Braiding Our Gifts Together Gathering

Hosted by Alexa Metallic, Emily Dunne, Hannah Martin and Brennan Googoo

2020 Listuguj NLC Team

Niganpugultieg Web Series

Hosted by Nadia Wysote, Macy Metallic and Rosalie Labillois

Current Status

The 2022-23 NLC has been chosen and is currently working on wrapping up their projects and gatherings. To see who is part of this year’s community, check out the Meet the 2022-23 NLC Page. To follow along with the NLC journey keep an eye out for the work of the 2022-23 NLC on our social media!

NLC Alumni – Coming Soon

FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS

This year the National Learning Community is being funded in part by the Slaight Family Foundation, Catherine Donnelly Foundation, CRE, Catapult Canada (Rideau Hall Foundation), and with support from Community Foundations of Canada.