Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program

EleV partners and Mastercard Foundation staff participating in a birch bark workshEleV partners and Mastercard Foundation staff participating in a birch bark workshop at Wanuskewin, 4 x 3, graphic elements and blueberry pattern for the Fellow Program applied to the image.op at Wanuskewin, 4 x 3, graphic elements for the Fellow Program applied to the image.

Status

active

Period

Ongoing

Countries

About the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program

The Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program is a national initiative that supports the leadership of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth across Canada. Grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, the program helps create the conditions for Indigenous youth to lead within their communities, across institutions, throughout Canadian society, and on the global stage.

With a commitment of CAD $130 million over the next decade, the program offers long-term opportunities for youth to develop their gifts, strengthen their skills, and influence change in their communities and beyond.

The welcome area at SIIT, for the Fellows Program, 2025, with graphic elements from the Fellows Program applied to the image.

Fellows Program image of a person working on a laser engraver at SIIT, 2025, with graphic elements from the Fellows Program applied to the image.

A Culturally Rooted Leadership Development Model

At the heart of the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program is the belief that leadership flourishes when young people have the time, resources, relationships, and cultural grounding to grow on their own terms.

Fellows will participate in a two-year leadership journey hosted by Indigenous-led organizations and supported by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, mentors, peers, and members of the Network of Leaders.

Rather than following a prescribed curriculum, each Fellow will design a personalized Leadership Development Plan aligned with their aspirations, skills, connection to culture and community, and leadership goals.

EleV partners and Mastercard Foundation stuff participating in a hoop dancing workshop at Wanuskewin. 3 x 4, with graphic elements from the Fellows Program applied to the image.

The program’s vision is to ensure Indigenous youth leaders have the space, resources, and support they need to advance the next stage of their leadership journeys.

Over the next decade, the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program aims to directly support more than 1,000 Indigenous youth while contributing to a growing ecosystem of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, institutions, and networks working together to help Indigenous leadership flourish across generations.

Alesha-Elijah Tiglik

An Inuk youth from Iqaluit, Nunavut, is passionate about supporting her community's well-being through culturally grounded approaches. Her leadership experiences have focused on youth mental health, cultural programming, and creating spaces where young people can connect with their identity, culture, and one another.
Alexis Blackbird

Alexis is Anishinaabe (Odawa), originally from Ontario, and a member of Walpole Island First Nation, currently living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 6 Territory. Through the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program, I hope to strengthen my leadership skills, learn from Indigenous mentors and peers, and carry those lessons forward by sharing them with others.
Alyssa Joseph

A proud member of the Malahat First Nation, one of the five W̱ SÁNEĆ Nations, and an  upcoming PhD student in Ethnoecology at the University of Victoria. Her leadership is grounded  in service to her Nation, her relatives, and our shared responsibility to care for the lands and  waters that have sustained our people since time immemorial.
Bailey Hill

A Kanienʼkehá:ka (Mohawk Nation), Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River in Southern Ontario where she was born, raised, and currently resides. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Marketing from the University of British Columbia (UBC); however, she is currently looking to change career paths and is studying at the University of Toronto in an Honours Bachelor of Science, hoping to do a Specialist in Environmental Geoscience and Major in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology.
Kate Young

A Nēhiyaw leader, advocate, and entrepreneur from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band whose work is centred on advancing Indigenous leadership, strengthening organizations, and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. Guided by the Nēhiyawak principle wāhkōhtowin, Kate approaches leadership with responsibility, accountability, and integrity.
Lyle Gabriel

His name is Black ThunderBird, from the Wolf Clan, from Obushkuydayang First Nation, also known as Lake St Martin FN, in Treaty 2 territory in Manitoba. He also has strong roots to the Skownan First Nation, which is also a Treaty 2 nation. His time with the Southern Chiefs Organization Youth Council opened many doors and made him realize that being an advocate and helping his fellow members (in Manitoba) is what makes him happy and inspired.
Mattia Gregory

Mattia Gregory is a Program Coordinator with Dumont Technical Institute in Saskatoon, where she helps provide educational opportunities for Métis people across Saskatchewan. As an Indigenous woman, Mattia is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for learners and supporting Indigenous communities through education.
Mauricea Panchenko

Firstly Mauricea is a mother to a wonderful kiddo named Ridley. Her family is Cree-Métis, with roots in Peepeekisis Cree Nation (Treaty 4) and the Red River Valley. She is a citizen of the Métis Nation British Columbia and lives on the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Through continued education, both within institutions and more inspiringly with Elders and  within the community, she hopes to build on this work and contribute to culturally grounded healing that supports Indigenous individuals, families, and communities for generations to come.
Nathalie Restoule

Nathalie Wajashk-Restoule is an Anishinaabe woman from Okikendawt (Dokis First Nation). She is a passionate leader dedicated to Indigenous language revitalization, cultural reclamation, and community wellness through education and land-based learning. Her long-term goal is to establish an Anishinaabemwin Language and Cultural Hub that provides accessible language learning, cultural programming, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing.
Raven Larocque Laliberté

Raven Larocque-Laliberté is a Mi’gmaq woman from Gesgapegiag First Nation, located on the east coast of Quebec. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is completing a master’s degree in clinical and biomedical sciences at Université Laval. Her work aims to advance health equity, strengthen Indigenous representation, and bring a more holistic perspective to healthcare and research.
Sebastian Dexel

Is nɬeʔképmx and comes from qʷiysqné, which translates to where the sun bakes the rocks or where the berries ripen first. Also known as the Nooaitch Indian Band. His goal is to teach the language and work towards connecting our eldest fluent speakers to our youngest learners for the healing and the benefit of our nɬeʔképmx nation in hopes our language will grow in the generations to come.
Stacey Boudrais

An Anishinaabekwe (Algonquin woman) from Long Point First Nation, Quebec, and a dedicated educator, researcher, and master’s student committed to advancing Indigenous education. Her research focuses on strengthening the meaningful integration of Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and ways of knowing within the Quebec Education Program (QEP), with the goal of creating learning environments where Indigenous students feel represented, respected, and empowered.
Siku Rojas

A non-binary multidisciplinary artist based out of Iqaluit, Nunavut. Their anaana is Inuk, originally from Iglulik, NU, and their ataata is Kichwa, originally from Peguche, Ecuador. All of their artwork is a celebration of life and a reminder to live lovingly. They want to create caring spaces where artists can find tools, room to create, and each other to collaborate with.
Alejandra Metallic-Janvier

A First Nations leader, speaker, and community advocate dedicated to advancing Indigenous youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable community development. Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, she is Mi'gmaq from Listuguj First Nation and Dënesųłiné from Cold Lake First Nations. Alejandra is passionate about creating opportunities that empower Indigenous youth to lead with confidence, purpose, and cultural pride while building thriving, prosperous communities.
Madison Bonnefoy

Madison Bonnefoy is Red River Métis and Cree from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and grew up in Thompson, MB. Her spirit name is Northern Wild Flower and she is Wolf Clan. Madison will continue developing her leadership skills and abilities in her new role in Canada Life’s Emerging Leaders Program, fall 2026.
James Lavallée

James Lavallée is a Red River Métis leader from Winnipeg, Manitoba, whose work is grounded in community, land, water, and Nation-building. He serves as Chair of the Manitoba Métis Federation’s Bison Local and is a co-founder of Waterways Recreation and the Métis Harvesting Collective.
Aaron Prosper

Aaron Prosper is a proud L’nu (Mi’kmaq) artist and healthcare professional from the Eskasoni First Nation. In 2018/19, Aaron served as President of the Dalhousie Students’ Union (DSU), becoming the first Indigenous person to serve in this role. Aaron is currently a 2nd-year medical student, and previously obtained a BSc (Neuroscience) and a Master's of Applied Health Services Research.
Alexandra (Ali) Nychuk

Alexandra Nychuk (she/her) is Michif and a Citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. She is born and raised in southern Manitoba, with roots in western Manitoba. She is a PhD Candidate and Vanier Scholar in the Department of Health, Aging & Society at McMaster University under the supervision of Dr. Chelsea Gabel. In 2023, Alexandra was selected as an Action Canada Fellow, where she collaborated with emerging leaders from across the country on public policy and leadership challenges.
Bohdana Innes

Bohdana Innes is a Moose Cree architect and Founder of Cedarweave Collective, an Indigenous-led architecture and design practice grounded in relationships to land, culture, story, and future generations. She founded Cedarweave Collective to create a practice where Indigenous knowledge, community voices, and lived experiences are integral to the design process.
Katen Kelly

Katen Kelly is a Woodlands Cree woman from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in Saskatchewan and a PhD candidate in Neuroscience at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on improving access to culturally appropriate dementia care for Indigenous communities by combining Indigenous ways of knowing with neuroscience and community-based research.
Jessica Owen

A citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia and a member of the Two Rivers Métis chartered community. She lives as a guest in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory, where she works at Thompson Rivers University, periodically travelling to UBC Okanagan to pursue a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Indigenous Knowledge stream. Her goal is to continue expanding her work in land-based education while completing her PhD, to open doors for future collaborations, support Indigenous-led initiatives, and create space for Elders and Knowledge Holders as recognized teachers, researchers, and leaders within post-secondary education.
Raven Brascoupe

Raven is Algonquin Anishinabeg from the community of Kitigan-Zibi in Quebec and is a land defender and activist. She is a recent graduate from the Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities (CJIIC), as part of Carleton University's one-year hybrid program, as a member of the first-ever cohort of Indigenous students and teachers from across the country.
Jonathan Kipling
Jeremy Andy
Angel Whiskeyjack

Angel is currently enrolled in the Leadership and Management program at the University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills. This University has allowed him to grow and expand his cultural knowledge, leadership, management, and knowledge bundle, as well as his identity as a nêhiyawêw-iskewêw. Angel's future aspirations are woven into the community. By utilizing the Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Program, he intends to work across Northern Turtle Island and create stronger communities and become a beacon of hope for others to lead. êkosi pitamâ.

The Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program Partner Hosts

A classroom with two rows of seats with individual desks at Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2025. — Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI)

GDI is a Métis-owned post-secondary and cultural institution dedicated to promoting the renewal and development of Métis culture.
Learn more about Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI)

A classroom space area in Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), 2025. — Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)

Founded in 1976 by the Chiefs of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) is Canada’s largest Indigenous-governed, credit-granting post-secondary institution.
Learn more about Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)

National Fellowship Invests in Young Indigenous Leaders to Shape Canada’s Future

Read the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program Announcement

Tresa Reinhardt (SIIT-VP), Lisa Shingoose (SIIT-VP), Katen Kelly (Fellow), Kate Young (Fellow), CeCe Baptiste (SIIT-VP), Brett Vandale (CEO-GDI), 4 x 3 size.

What is the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program?: The Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program is a leadership program for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth across Canada between the ages of 22 to 34. The purpose of the program is to accelerate the growth and impact of young Indigenous leaders.

The program builds on the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Indigenous Peoples self-determination by creating long-term opportunities for youth to grow, lead, and influence change across multiple sectors. This includes individual, community, national, and international contexts.

The program's vision is for Indigenous youth leaders to have space and resources to identify their gifts, build the competencies and skills they require, and to advance to the next stage of their leadership journey. Fellows will connect with a network of changemakers that will amplify their influence and accelerate their impact.
What is the process to be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program and how can applications be submitted?: The Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program is open to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth who reside in Canada (aged 22-34).

For the inaugural cohort, we tested a nomination-based application process. Nominations were received through organizations and institutions within the EleV Network. Nominated candidates were invited to complete a written application and participate in an interview process. This approach helped us learn what works well and identify opportunities to strengthen the application and selection process for future cohorts. As the program evolves, we intend to expand access so that youth who are not affiliated with an EleV partner organization can also be considered for the program. We envision that future applications and selection processes will be facilitated by a partner organization.

Information about future application opportunities, eligibility requirements, and how to apply will be shared as it becomes available.
When is the application deadline?: Information about future application opportunities, eligibility requirements, and how to apply will be shared as it becomes available.

Who are the Mastercard Foundation Fellows partner institutions and where are they located?: The program’s inaugural pilot cohort is hosted by two partner institutions: the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI). These partners were chosen because of their strong existing relationships with the Foundation, shared values, and experience through the Oẏateki Partnership, an EleV Program partner.

Both SIIT and GDI are located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
What does the Fellowship cover?: Each Fellow will develop a leadership development plan and an accompanying budget. Through this plan, Fellows will identify opportunities to strengthen their skills and competencies, including opportunities connected to their culture and language.

The program will support Fellows to participate fully in these opportunities by helping them develop a holistic budget that reflects the resources they need. This budget can cover eligible expenses up to CAD $50,000.
How can organizations partner with the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program?: Based on insights from the pilot, the Fellows program will continue to grow to include additional host organizations in future years. New host partner organizations will be selected through a relational process that will prioritize cultural grounding, readiness, and capacity to provide holistic support to Fellows.
How can I learn more about the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program?: Please visit the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program section of our website to learn more.

Learn More About Our Work in Canada

The EleV Program is the Mastercard Foundation initiative in Canada. EleV partners with Indigenous organizations and groups working alongside Indigenous communities to transform education and employment systems based on the vision and values of Indigenous youth.

Learn more

Countries

About the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program

A Culturally Rooted Leadership Development Model

At the heart of the Mastercard Foundation Fellows Program is the belief that leadership flourishes when young people have the time, resources, relationships, and cultural grounding to grow on their own terms.

The program’s vision is to ensure Indigenous youth leaders have the space, resources, and support they need to advance the next stage of their leadership journeys.

Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI)

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)