WINNIPEG, Man.-A group of 34 Indigenous youth left in mid-August for a four-month service trip in Peru that includes a cultural exchange with local Indigenous communities. The youth, between the ages of 18 and 26, are part of the International Aboriginal Youth Internships Initiative, which is run by Canada World Youth and funded by Global Affairs Canada.

"They'll be working on the healthy kitchens initiative, which is building kitchens out of adobe clay and bricks," says Tina Goodin, the program manager with Canada World Youth. "They'll also be working with women's organizations there. So it's all sorts of community involvement, whatever they can do. A lot of these communities that we are working in are Indigenous communities, as well, and we share a lot of the same issues."

The program includes a workshop on Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the youth are encouraged to share their experiences with the locals, Goodin said.

Chance to connect and learn

Jewel Pierre-Roscelli, who grew up in Winnipeg and has family in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, said she's looking forward to the trip as an extension of how she's reconnected with her own heritage.

"Being able to connect to my roots, to other people's roots and even the people in this group-it's a lot of connecting, a lot of learning, a lot of growing and I'm really happy to be part of the experience," Pierre-Roscelli said. "I'm hoping to bring back real knowledge of what other Indigenous communities are like and to see how their roles and community development work."

Troy Whiteway, also from Winnipeg, said he's a little nervous about travelling so far from home for the first time, but he's eager to connect with Peruvian culture.

"I would like to see how other people live in the world because that's always been a thought of mine," Whiteway said. "I want to see how people think and how they go about their day." 

He said he's hoping to develop his leadership skills and would like to be a police officer after he finishes his studies.