At Soaring Circle, we are dedicated to advancing reconciliation through meaningful initiatives that foster connection and understanding, and that leave a lasting impact in the lives of Indigenous youth. Our journey began with a simple act of kindness, and over the years, we have transformed that seed of friendship into a powerful movement that reaches across Canada.
Here is a look at past projects that reflect our desire to elevate youth, promote healing, and build a better Canada together. Please join us on this vital mission.
The Friendship Box Campaign was initiated by our founder, who sought to weave a fabric of friendship with the Algonquin community of Rapid Lake in Quebec, near her home. What began as a simple request to friends—to fill empty shoeboxes with gifts to bring joy to local children—quickly transformed into a powerful movement. Inspired by the late Jules Papatie, director of education in Rapid Lake, our founder realized that these boxes could serve to motivate students towards their education.
In response, she organized vibrant school celebration events that brought students and parents together, sparking enthusiasm and community spirit. Within just one year, we proudly witnessed an 80% reduction in school absenteeism. The ripple effects of this campaign gave birth to many initiatives, ultimately leading to the founding of Soaring Circle (formerly I Love First Peoples) in 2013. This journey deepened our commitment to uplifting Indigenous youth. For six transformative years in Rapid Lake, our efforts flourished, leaving a legacy and connections that continue today.
The Friendship Box Campaign became a cornerstone of our mission, operating 28 active volunteer chapters across Canada at its peak. In 2020 alone, amid a pandemic and community closures, we delivered 2,000 boxes through Child and Family Service organizations in Ontario and Quebec. And in 2024, which marked the end of the program, we had delivered nearly 20,000 boxes to students in 90 communities. Each box not only contained gifts but also carried personal messages of friendship, support, and recognition of the bright potential within each child.
In 2016, the cry for help from Chief Bruce Shisheesh amid the youth suicide crisis in Attawapiskat resonated across the nation. Soaring Circle, then known as I Love First Peoples, took immediate action by launching the I Love Attawapiskat Campaign. This initiative shed light on a harrowing epidemic affecting Indigenous youth not just in Attawapiskat, but in communities across Canada. We chose the name “I Love First Peoples” to provoke an emotional response and compel a collective reflection on the relationships between all Canadians and Indigenous Peoples, which proved effective in such times.
Before the term “reconciliation” became commonplace, we sought to ignite a movement for understanding and healing. Our efforts attracted a chorus of voices—recording artists, visual creators, athletes, and many more—who lent their talents to express solidarity with youth and to remind them that they are cared for (see some of the celebrity videos below). Witnessing the profound impact of our campaign, Chief Shisheesh joined our board, illuminating our path forward for three years.
A testament to our commitment to reconciliation, we organized the first-ever ceremonies honoring Indigenous communities during major sports events, such as at the Air Canada Centre, in a memorable game between the Maple Leafs and the Oilers, broadcast nationwide on Sportsnet. In collaboration with the Buffalo Sabres, we continued this important work, ensuring that the voices of Indigenous Peoples were heard and celebrated in these spaces.
We were especially honored to pay tribute to our beloved friend and board advisor, Fred Saskamoose—an Order of Canada inductee and author of *Just Call Me Indian*. His legacy guided us as we supported youth in various communities. In the Algonquin community of Rapid Lake, we unveiled a mural in his honour, a symbolic gesture of hope and inspiration for generations to come. We later gifted the mural to the high school in Fred’s home community.
When Fred connected us with Chief Ahtahkakoop School, we identified a pervasive issue: bullying. In collaboration with the late Vice-Principal Loretta Ballantyne, we birthed the PeaceLeader program alongside Symmes-Darcy High School in Gatineau, Quebec. This initiative brought together youth who had experienced bullying, empowering them to become effective leaders and advocates for peace. Over the years, our PeaceLeaders have played a vital role in mediating conflicts and fostering inclusive environments, transforming not only their schools but also their futures as leaders.
Today, Soaring Circle continues to drive meaningful change by presenting significant Indigenous films that resonate with communities. We take pride in being the first to facilitate open conversations around difficult subjects, promoting healing and understanding. Through these powerful narratives, we create spaces where stories come alive, sparking dialogue and fostering reconciliation within our communities.
Who have supported our campaigns
Follow our YouTube channel @soaringcircle to see them all!
As we reflect on our journey, we invite you to join us in this vital work. Your support can amplify our impact, helping to open doors for Indigenous youth and advancing the cause of reconciliation. Together, we can nurture hope, foster understanding, and build a brighter future for all. Please consider donating today to help us continue this important mission.
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