News
St. Joseph's Care Group Welcomes First Youth Members to Ogichidaa Onaakonigewin (Elders Council)
Welcome Kiaya and Layne!
Date: 2025-10-14
We're excited to welcome two remarkable youth members to the Ogichidaa Onaakonigewin (Elders Council) at St. Joseph's Care Group! These young leaders are bringing fresh perspectives and energy, plus a deep love for their communities and cultures. With their voices at the table, the Council becomes an even stronger space for sharing, learning, and working together across generations.
Each youth brings their own wisdom and lived experience to the Council, and we're excited to walk alongside them on this journey.
Please join us in welcoming Kiaya and Layne! Read on to get to know their stories.
Meet Kiaya!
Kiaya is a First Nations youth from Gull Bay First Nation and Webequie First Nation, Turtle Clan, with a passion for jingle dress dancing and community involvement. She's an active member of several youth councils in Thunder Bay and currently serves as President of the Regional Multicultural Youth Council.
She brings a strong voice and unique perspective to the table, representing youth in meaningful conversations about culture, community healing, and harm reduction. As Kiaya puts it, "Indigenous youth need more resources, harm reduction, and action. We need people to actually give time to the youth and teach them how to be leaders and peer mentors."
Her passion for helping others is inspired by her family. She says she looks forward to learning from the Elders on the Council - and to being a voice for Indigenous youth in our community.
"I think it's important to learn from the Elders because they're just so powerful. It's so cool to have relationships with people who carry that spiritual energy," says Kiaya. "Most of the things I learn from them, I pass down to my younger siblings. When they tell me their stories, they're not going to be forgotten. I want to be that person to carry on their teachings."
When asked what advice she'd give to other Indigenous youth looking to get involved, Kiaya shared this message: "Keep going. You have to make your voice heard - because if you're not going to, who will? You have to make mistakes in order to grow. Don't be afraid to speak your voice and always try your best to be respectful."
We're so excited to have Kiaya helping guide the future of St. Joseph's Care Group alongside our Elders. Welcome, Kiaya!
Meet Layne!
Layne is a First Nations youth from Couchiching First Nation, Bear Clan, with a passion for youth advocacy and powwow dancing. She graduated from high school last year and is excited to represent young voices in her community.
"As a young person, I've witnessed and experienced a lot of challenges our community faces, and I want to be part of the solutions," says Layne. "I look forward to working alongside others who share a commitment to positive change and cultural preservation."
Through her role on the Council, Layne will bring energy, insight, and leadership to important conversations around mental health, cultural knowledge, and the power of the youth voice.
"One of the greatest challenges Indigenous youth face is limited access to representation and opportunities for self-determination," she explains. "Barriers in education, healthcare, and employment continue to impact our potential. Through Ogichidaa Onaakonigewin, I hope to advocate for initiatives that support Indigenous youth, strengthen cultural identity, and promote leadership development."
Her message about preserving Indigenous knowledge is a powerful one: "I want the next generation to understand that preserving Indigenous knowledge and traditions is about protecting our identity and shaping our future. By staying connected to our roots, we empower ourselves and each other to thrive. It's important to break the cycle a little more with each generation. It's how we will heal our communities."
We're honoured to have Layne walking this path with us, helping to shape the future of St. Joseph's Care Group alongside our Elders. Welcome, Layne!
