Aboriginal youth strive to change the world

When we hear the name Jane Goodall, most of us think of a woman who studied chimpanzees for 45 years.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth can say, however, that the name stands for much more.

Jane Goodall started the Roots & Shoots program for youth in 1991 after being approached by a group of 16 teenagers in Tanzania eager to discuss with her a range of problems that caused them deep concern in their communities.

The Roots & Shoots organization has grown to more than 100,000 groups in over 100 countries. In 2009 Jane Goodall and then-Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, announced the start of a pilot project of Roots & Shoots for Aboriginal youth. This program would be reflective of Aboriginal culture and beliefs.

Abner Lico, national Roots & Shoots program manager, said  the program “is a holistic program that encourages youth to take part in projects that relate to people, animals and the environment…with the goal of understanding the interconnectedness of all living creatures. The focus is also aimed at educating the whole person through learning by thinking, feeling and doing…”

When the pilot was released it was well received within 10 communities across Canada, including Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia with all responding positively to the project. All the funding for this project was received through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

One of the programs within the Aboriginal Roots & Shoots was a Community Narrative they ask the youth to create, which was a documentary project called “Wisdom Keepers & Storytellers.”

The idea behind the project was to have the youth to write, act, and record their stories, document it on video in order for it to be shown on the Aboriginal Roots & Shoots Web site.

Stories could be about anything relating to people, animals and the environment that relates to their traditions and culture. The inclusion of Elders and other adults was encouraged as well.

Muthusamipillai said response had been amazing and that they received more than 150 inquiries regarding the Wisdom Keepers and Storytellers project.

The films are posted on the Roots & Shoots Web site for viewing by members across Canada and around the world.

Another benefit of the Aboriginal Roots & Shoots program is Partners in Action. Groups work to develop a relationship of cultural sharing, understanding and communication with each other.

Going forward they hope to develop and encourage awareness of other groups around the world and what they are contributing to society. In essence, the Aboriginal Roots & Shoots opens up the whole world to young people. Not only can they learn about cultures different from their own, but these other cultures can learn about them as well.

“My hope for the Roots & Shoots for Aboriginal Youth program is to see provincial and territorial representation across Canada where members can communicate with one another to share stories and ideas about how to make their communities and our world a better place to live,” said Muthusamipillai of her ambitions for the program.”

Lico agrees.

“Roots & Shoots is a global network of young people working for positive change in their communities and beyond,” he said. “Canada’s Aboriginal youth bring tremendous energy, innovative ideas and a unique perspective to the program. By tapping into this spirit through the Roots & Shoots program, everyone benefits.”

An excellent summation of the motivation behind Roots & Shoots can be found on the Roots & Shoots Web site, written by Dr. Jane Goodall herself.

“Roots spread underground and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem small and weak, but to reach the light they can break through brick walls. Imagine the brick walls are all the problems humans have inflicted on our planet. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots, hundreds of thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls. YOU can make the world a better place.”