Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program

Working alongside Elders, community members, Ever Active Schools and Red Deer Catholic Schools are offering the The Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program (IYMP). IYMP is a communal, relationship-based after school healthy living program. It is delivered by Indigenous high school students for elementary school children. This is the first time IYMP will be offered in an urban setting. IYMP is evidence based and drives positive health outcomes through a holistic Indigenous approach that enhances cultural identity and connection with school, community, land, and local traditions. Since its beginnings in 2003, IYMP has impacted the lives of thousands of Indigenous children, youth, and young adults across Canada. IYMP has led to improvements in self-efficacy (i.e., youth feeling confident in themselves), knowledge of healthy eating, reductions in waist circumference, and body mass index, as well as empowerment of youth, compared to youth not exposed to the program 4,5,8.