Rooted Connections National Leadership Forum

Uniting Voices, Cultivating Change

WHAT IS THE Rooted Conncetion National Leadership Forum

The Rooted Connections National Leadership Forum is an all-expenses paid 5-day national gathering of 10 Black and Indigenous community leaders, aged 14 to 18, representing communities across the nation.

Over the course of five enriching days, the forum immerses participants in interactive workshops and group activities designed to propel them beyond their comfort zones and into their learning zones. Anchored in the power of collaboration and a deschooling approach to education, the Forum enables participants to forge meaningful connections with their peers from coast to coast to coast, fostering a profound exchange of lived experiences that serve as a catalyst in their journey as the leaders of tomorrow.

The 2023 Forum was held in Ottawa.

The RCNLF is a 5-day forum at the University of Ottawa for Black and Indigenous youth leaders. It will offer interactive programming that encourages:

Leadership

Participants will engage with Black and Indigenous professionals and mentors through roundtables, workshops and 1-on-1 discussions to explore different educational, vocational and leadership opportunities available during and after high school.

Self-Exploration

Participants will challenge themselves in workshops that build self-worth and self-love through relationship-building, communication, self-advocacy, life and career exploration, and leadership development.

Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)

Participants will use the ABCD approach to assess the strengths, resources, skills, and experiences you possess to organize and mobilize positive change within your community.

Confidence

Participants will challenge themselves in workshops that build self-worth and self-love through relationship-building, communication, self-advocacy, life and career exploration, and leadership development.

Cross-Community Collaboration

Participants will have the opportunity to connect with other Black and Indigenous youth from around the country, build meaningful relationships, and explore the benefits of cross-community collaboration in building a kinder and safer world for all.

Details

Eligibility

The Forum runs from July 16 to 22, 2023.

The deadline to register is May 21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

There are no fees associated with attending the Forum. This is an all-expenses-paid camp, including transportation, food, accommodation, and programming.

During the forum, the participants will stay at the 90 University Residence, located in the center of the campus. The majority of the meals will be at the 24/7 dining room, which is located in the adjacent building. 

  • Be a high school student between the ages of 14 and 18 years residing in Canada;

  • Be either African, Black, Caribbean, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis origin;  

  • Have demonstrated the capacity and potential to develop as agents of social change