Indigenous Advisory Council

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As a settler organization, it’s critical that we learn and embrace leadership from Indigenous people. Kids Help Phone’s Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) collaborates with the Director of Indigenous Initiatives to lead all Indigenous activities at Kids Help Phone and ensure that as our services evolve, they continue to adapt to be relevant, equitable and accessible to Indigenous young people from coast to coast to coast.

The IAC is composed of Inuit, Métis and First Nations people, half of whom are youth, who’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to the mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of Indigenous young people. You can view a list of current IAC members here.

The decisions that the IAC makes are based on members’ own experiences and expertise and are informed by the input we receive from Indigenous youth and communities through the ongoing community engagement, volunteers in Weaving Threads: Indigenous Engagement Program, and from KHP Indigenous Initiatives team —all of whom are Indigenous.

The IAC leads our Indigenous Initiatives by:

  • representing Indigenous peoples on Kids Help Phone’s Board of Directors
  • determining subject matter of Indigenous-focused content
  • overseeing special projects
  • determining subject matter of Indigenous-focused employee and volunteer training
  • overseeing Indigenous program development
  • supporting Kids Help Phone’s commitment to reconciliation by informing organizational policies and practices
  • facilitating partnerships that will support the implementation of Finding Hope: Kids Help Phone’s Action Plan for Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Young People
  • reviewing Kids Help Phone’s programs, services and initiatives and making recommendations to ensure that the development and delivery of programs and services meets the unique needs of Indigenous youth
  • determining how and when to pursue funding to ensure that we work with, and not against, Indigenous organizations that are also in need of ongoing support and funding
  • representing Kids Help Phone in the media and at committees, conferences and other knowledge exchange forums when designated
  • and more!

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the IAC, please visit our IAC application page for more information on eligibility, commitment and process.