Soaring with Summer
Wai – Tansi! My name is Summer Testawich and I’m the youth ambassador for Soaring Circle! I joined the team
Welcome to my blog! I’m humbled to share this space with you, where we can explore incredible stories of resilience, courage, and transformation found within Indigenous communities—and beyond.
My journey with Indigenous peoples began a few years before “reconciliation” became widely discussed. Despite my long (1632) “settler” ancestry and passion for history, I was shocked in 2010 to discover the dark chapters of Canada’s history and present. I sought people and organizations at the time who would help me to put forward solutions at the grassroots level. In 2012, I embarked on what initially started as a simple “love” project, which has since blossomed into a national movement advocating for equity and justice for youth, especially in regard to education.
I have since been captivated by the grace and generosity of spirit of people who have been so deeply devastated by colonial systems. I founded Soaring Circle officially in 2013 as a vessel to elevate the voices of First Peoples and activate a movement of friendship across Canada. I aspired to fill a gap in awareness, encouraging others to seek truth and foster meaningful relationships.
To date, I have had the immense privilege of connecting with thousands of individuals across 125 Indigenous communities. Each meeting has brought to light extraordinary narratives, from the resilience shown in the face of adversity to the everyday heroes who quietly make a difference in their communities.
Within the posts that follow, you’ll find reflections on powerful encounters with those I’ve met along my journey, and lessons I’ve learned that I believe we all should take to heart.
I recognize that many Canadians will never have the opportunity to experience the realities of remote living or the beauty of Indigenous culture as I have—therefore, I feel a responsibility to share these experiences.
As we delve into these inspiring stories, my hope is that they spark dialogue, encourage introspection, motivate us all to cultivate kindness and advance justice, and help us maximize our collective potential towards becoming the best versions of ourselves.
Wai – Tansi! My name is Summer Testawich and I’m the youth ambassador for Soaring Circle! I joined the team