The EleV Strategy
Co-created with and confirmed by Indigenous youth and communities, EleV’s Vision is for Indigenous young people to be living Mino Bimaadiziwin – “a good life”, in the Anishinaabe language.
Our Goal
Education and employment systems are transformed to enable 100,000 Indigenous young people to access post-secondary education and transition to meaningful livelihoods by 2030.
The Challenge
Indigenous young people are the fastest-growing segment of the population in Canada at a time when the country is facing labour shortages. Indigenous youth are agents of change for their communities, Nations, and the country as a whole.
- Due to systemic inequities and barriers, education attainment among Indigenous youth is half that of other Canadians. Indigenous youth face further challenges such as housing shortages, poor health status, lack of access to technology, and more.
- Education attainment among Indigenous youth is half that of other Canadians with Indigenous youth facing housing shortages, poor health status and lack of access to technology.
- If gaps in opportunities for Indigenous youth and businesses were closed, it would generate a critical boost of $27.7 billion annually to Canadian GDP. Indigenous youth are key to a stronger country for all. Indigenous communities and rights are central in the fight against climate change and globally relevant sustainable development strategies for the future.
What We Will Do
Work in partnership primarily with Indigenous communities and institutions to design and implement programs for improved access and opportunity for youth aligned with Indigenous community economic, social and cultural aspirations. The aim is to transform education and employment systems based on the visions, values, and aspirations of First Nations, MĂ©tis, and Inuit youth.
- Support innovative Indigenous solutions so that Indigenous youth can access and succeed in transformed education and trainings systems.
- Strengthen capacity of key Indigenous institutions so that Indigenous youth can successfully transition to meaningful livelihoods.
- Support Indigenous youth leadership to foster empowerment and self-determination.
How We Will Do It
- Engage and empower Indigenous youth to drive transformation.
- Develop strategic partnerships through foresight planning and demonstrate innovation and impact.
- Foster visibility among key audiences and demonstrate the positive impact of Indigenous-led solutions.
- Convene on key themes to unite stakeholders and thought leaders.
The EleV Program
The Mastercard Foundation EleV Program partners with Indigenous organizations, youth and communities, as well as groups working in deep partnership with Indigenous people. The aim is to fundamentally transform education and employment systems based on the visions, values, and aspirations of First Nations, MĂ©tis, and Inuit youth in alignment with Indigenous rights and self-determination.
Indigenous solutions and innovations in education and employment systems will support success for Indigenous young people and create pathways to meaningful livelihoods.
