RESEARCH PROJECTS

Walking Alongside You(th)


Led by Dr. Jennifer Markides

The Walking Alongside You(th) project is a collaboration between high schools and Indigenous community leaders across Northern Alberta with the support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC-IDG). These collaborations have centred on empowering Indigenous youth by encouraging them to voice their experiences, propose solutions, and advocate for changes within their schools and communities. The main goal of our project is to create a platform where youth can share their ideas and perspectives on improving their educational experiences while ensuring that their voices are heard in the decision-making processes that affect them. By listening to their stories and ideas, we facilitate building a stronger connection between Indigenous youth and the educational structures that serve them.

Over the past five years, our team has been building collaborative relationships with high schools and Indigenous community leaders across Northern Alberta with the support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC-IDG). These collaborations have centred on empowering Indigenous youth by encouraging them to voice their experiences, propose solutions, and advocate for changes within their schools and communities. The main goal of our project is to create a platform where youth can share their ideas and perspectives on improving their educational experiences while ensuring that their voices are heard in the decision-making processes that affect them. By listening to their stories and ideas, we facilitate building a stronger connection between Indigenous youth and the educational structures that serve them.

In April 2023, our project was further strengthened by receiving funding through the University of Calgary’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), which supports the One Child Every Child (OCEC) initiative. These funds allow us to continue expanding the scope of our work and deepening our commitment to building long-term relationships with youth in these existing communities while inviting other communities into the research process. The Walking Alongside You(th) project is a key part of this expansion, continuing to engage with high school students to address the questions surrounding their lives and futures. We remain focused on providing space for these young Indigenous peoples to articulate their dreams, discuss their challenges, and identify the types of support they need to pursue their goals as they transition from high school to the next stages of their lives. Whether those goals involve further education, entering the workforce, or contributing to their communities, we are committed to providing the resources and guidance necessary for success.

Our collective team recognizes that change must come from the ground up, which is why we remain so committed to youth-led initiatives. By maintaining close relationships with these students, we aim to inform and influence the transformation of educational programs, curricula, and even the structural elements of the schools and communities we work with. In addition to our research efforts, we are committed to offering extracurricular programs and services that cater to the diverse interests and needs of the youth in particular areas. We are working to create a sustainable network of rotating specialists—educators, community leaders, mentors, and service providers—who can respond to their evolving needs. This network will help ensure that youth have access to the support, mentorship, and resources they need to thrive both academically and personally. Ultimately, our vision is to create a lasting impact that not only improves the educational experiences of Indigenous youth but also strengthens the communities that they are a part of.

  • Cultural revitalization plays an important role in ensuring the continuity of Indigenous knowledges, and language is at the centre of this effort. Language is not just a tool for communication; it is a powerful means of expressing identity, building a sense of belonging, and strengthening Indigenous community ties. Language is vital for understanding worldview, knowledge systems, and spirituality and is the starting point for transmitting Indigenous wisdom and cultural practices. Indigenous youth are central to the ongoing vitality of their languages, as they are the next generation responsible for ensuring that these languages continue to thrive within their communities. Reconnecting with languages and cultural practices empowers the Indigenous youth that we work with to preserve and pass on oral stories, ecological knowledge, and spiritual teachings to future generations.

    By engaging in cultural activities, youth maintain a deep connection to the land and to the geographical histories that shape their cultural identity. These practices embed a sense of responsibility to the environment and to their community’s overall well-being. The process of language revitalization builds confidence and self-esteem as youth develop a stronger sense of pride in who they are. This is empowering and reinforces their connections to their pasts, presents and futures. Language knowledge holders are seen as valued collaborators in the revitalization process. Their expertise is essential in guiding the youth through cultural and language restoration. We provide financial top-ups for language and cultural knowledge holders to ensure that their contributions are financially equal to other educational and teaching roles. We also remain open to exploring additional ways to use the funding to further support Indigenous youth and their communities through expanding partnerships. We strive to create new learning opportunities or exploring alternative pathways for cultural engagement – all while remaining responsive to the evolving needs and aspirations of the Indigenous youth we work with.

  • The University of Calgary’s One Child Every Child (OCEC) initiative strives to inform current and future policymakers and partners to guide future decisions that affect youth, their families and communities. One of the specific priorities is to listen to and support the success of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students at the University of Calgary through Indigenous community-driven initiatives.


    Our team has developed the Community Based Research Hub to provide rich learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to work alongside Indigenous scholars engaged in community-based research. Through an award process, we can provide opportunities for students to support Lead Researchers at the University of Calgary who are engaged in community-based projects with Indigenous communities. These partnerships are vital for students who are considering working with Indigenous communities in the future because they are able to work with Lead Researchers who can provide students with best practices in their approaches and the importance of building long-term equitable relationships. Students accepted into this program undertake essential training that includes learning about the Story of ii' taa'poh'to'p and the Journey Towards Reconciliation. Additionally, they may engage in optional but valuable activities within the Hub, such as participating in Zoom lunch-and-learns with other student researchers and attending monthly meetings aimed at building stronger university community connections. Students will also be invited to contribute to research focused on documenting and analyzing their learning journeys and experiences with opportunities for publications and academic conference travel.

    *Preference is given to Indigenous candidates and those recognized under Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) criteria.