I am fundraising to help with financial support for my son so that he may remain a student at his current private school. He is a bright, compassionate, and determined young man who has found both personal and academic growth in the supportive environment this school provides. Without help towards his school funding he would be forced to leave a setting that is not only uniquely suited to his needs, but also essential for his mental health and emotional well-being.
As a student from a remote First Nation reserve, my son faces barriers that many of his peers do not.
His school has helped him navigate these challenges by offering an inclusive and culturally sensitive environment that minimizes the culture shock often experienced by Indigenous youth when they leave their communities for education. The school’s location – safely distanced from the stress and fast pace of the city — mirrors the quieter, land-based lifestyle he is accustomed to, allowing him to transition into a mainstream academic setting without sacrificing his mental health or cultural identity.
This school also embraces outdoor education, a learning model that closely aligns with Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This connection to the land – built into the curriculum —supports my sons personal development and fosters a sense of pride and belonging. The school provides not just education, but a secure boarding environment where student safety and well-being are a top priority. This sense of stability is vital for Gage’s continued success, both academically and emotionally. My son’s removal from this supportive setting, would have deeply detrimental effects on his mental health and his educational trajectory. Returning to a less
equipped or culturally disconnected environment would likely compromise the progress he has
made and the self-confidence he has built. Such an outcome would not reflect a commitment to
substantive equality, which recognizes that Indigenous youth often require equitable – not merely
equal — access to opportunity in order to overcome historical and systemic disadvantages.
Providing financial support for my son is not just an investment in his education, it is a commitment to reconciliation, inclusion, and meaningful opportunity. It is a step toward addressing the gaps that persist for Indigenous students in Canada, and a recognition that true equality requires support that meets students where they are.
I’m deeply grateful for any financial support and hope that my son will be given the opportunity to continue thriving in a space that respects and nurtures all aspects of who he is.