CN Railway Funding Announcement
Level is excited to announce our continued funding partnership with Canadian National Railway (CN). Since 2016, CN has been a long-standing partner of Level’s mission to disrupt prejudice, build empathy and advance human rights! For 2020-2021, CN commits $50,000 in support of Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program (IYOP), a program developed in consultation with Indigenous elders and advisors throughout Canada to provide justice education and mentorship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth. The program creates stronger communities by promoting the success of Indigenous youth in a manner that is culturally appropriate and encourages Indigenous youth to access their own capacity for leadership.
Olivier Chouc, Vice-President, Law at CN and long-time supporter of IYOP stated: “CN is very proud to partner with Level to support the next generation of First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth so they can grow into the great leaders they can and deserve to be and provide them the opportunity to contribute to a more diverse and richer Canada.”
With CN’s support, the Level Team is excited to continue expanding IYOP across Canada and to engage more youth in experiential activities while building relationships with justice sector volunteers. We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of CN!
About CN
CN is a true backbone of the Canadian economy, transporting more than C$250 billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network of approximately 20,000 route-miles spanning Canada and mid-America.
CN operates within or adjacent to nearly 200 different reserve lands of more than 110 First Nations and some Métis territories, in eight provinces. Working alongside Indigenous communities across the CN network, CN prioritizes cultivating mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities and creating economic opportunities to work toward Reconciliation.
A Little More About IYOP
IYOP was initially launched in 2012 in Toronto with 25 students and 10 volunteers. Today, the program is being delivered in eight urban and on-reserve schools in four provinces and one territory including Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and Nunavut with over 300 students and 100 volunteer lawyers and law students participating.
IYOP uniquely benefits Indigenous youth in Canada and their communities both on and off reserves. By gaining access to mentors and role models in the legal and business communities, the program breaks down barriers and equips the students with the skills and knowledge to succeed. The program also benefits the Indigenous and non-Indigenous volunteers involved by improving their competency in Indigenous cultures and traditions through a formal training event, as well as the small group workshops throughout the program delivery.
Photo cred: Kenya-Jade Pinto