How We Started

We are young people that came together from the winter of Idle No More. We are Indigenous youth from various nations and our roots come from various territories. We saw the importance of a national Indigenous youth voice and platform. We believe that the assembly and unity of youth from across Turtle Island will not only contribute to our own success and healing of today but also that of our next seven generations. 

Our Team 

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​Gabrielle Fayant-
Lewis

CEO & Co-Founder
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Gabrielle Fayant-Lewis originates from Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, AB. Gabrielle is an award winning woman for her work in the community, for youth empowerment and Indigenous rights awareness. She has worked with several Indigenous and non-profit organizations. 

Dani Lanouette

Member 
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​Dani Lanouette is Anishinaabe from Neyaashiinigmiing Anishinaabekiing and Algonquins of Barriere Lake. She is currently in the Combined Honours in Indigenous and Canadian Studies program at Carleton University. Dani is a jingle dancer, a singer and a drummer, as well as a beader. Her main goal is to honour the legacy of her late nokomis, who was a residential school survivor, by empowering indigenous youth in any way possible. She has been doing work for and with Indigenous youth in multiple capacities from the age of 15 and will continue to do so for as long as possible.

​Josh Lewis 

Member

Josh Lewis is Anishinaabe from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory. He was born in Sudbury, Ontario.  He is an educator, musician and community helper. He has worked with several Indigenous organizations & school boards in Ontario. 

Brittany Mathews

Board Member
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Brittany Mathews is Métis/Michif with ancestry from White Horse Plains, or St. Francois Xavier, Manitoba and with her family more recently coming from St. Paul, Alberta. She grew up in the Bow Valley of Alberta, on Treaty 7 territory and moved to Ottawa to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa. She had the honour co-leading Walking With Our Sisters in Ottawa and currently co-hosts the Michif Hour on Aboriginal CKCU 93.1

​RJ Jones 

Board Member 

​Grant Thomas 

 Board Member 

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ReachUp! North Team & Alumni - 2015/16

Special Thanks to Past Board Members & Co Founders 

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​Marissa Mills & Brock Lewis 

Co-Founders 

Caitlin Tolley

Former Co-Chair​
Caitlin Tolley is Algonquin Anishinabe from the community of Kitigan-Zibi.  She is currently in her final year of the Juris Doctor Program at the University of Ottawa.  Caitlin was given the title of Runner Up to Miss Indian World at the Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow in 2016. 

Dr. Thomas Louttit

Founding Director/Former Board Member
Thomas Louttit is Anishinabe/Moose Cree from Moose Factory, ON. He is a recognized Elder in the local Ottawa community and recent recipient of an honorary doctorate from Carleton University.

​Tony Belcourt, O.C.,

​LL.D. (Hon.)

Board Member
Born in the historic Métis community of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, Tony Belcourt has had a long and distinguished career as a Métis leader and activist. Since being elected Vice-President of the Métis Association of Alberta in 1970, Mr. Belcourt has played a key role in establishing a national voice for Canada’s Métis and Non-Status Indians. In 1971 he moved to Ottawa as the Founding President of the Native Council of Canada, an organization that in the 1980’s split into the Métis National Council and the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.