THE PROJECT
OpenMedia is a national advocacy organization that works to keep the internet open and affordable. With support from CIRA, OpenMedia partnered with the Indigenous Connectivity Institute (ICI) to launch a policy engagement training program for Indigenous youth. The goal: to equip participants with the tools, knowledge and confidence needed to engage directly with Canadian policymakers on issues of digital equity and connectivity.
The project built on ICI’s existing policy training by offering a supplemental course focused on hands-on advocacy. Participants attended virtual workshops on internet policy topics, developed their own policy ideas and agendas, and traveled to Ottawa to build an understanding of digital equity and the processes of law-making and policy advocacy. In Ottawa, they met with ministers and government staff to share their perspectives on internet access, affordability and digital sovereignty.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
There were 14 participants in the training program and eight had the exclusive opportunity to speak directly to federal decision-makers about the realities of digital exclusion in their communities. For many, it was their first time in Ottawa—and their first time stepping into places like the Senate or the Privy Council Office to see how policy is shaped from the inside. The experience helped demystify the political process and showed participants that their voices matter. They didn’t just visit; they claimed their space, shared their lived experiences and in the process, reframed the power dynamic. As trip facilitator Jewel Pierre-Roscelli explained, “It is a privilege for policy makers to hear from us [the Indigenous Community], and this effort was welcomed.”
The visit to the Capital sparked lasting impact, igniting the youth to feel confident and motivated to stay involved in digital policy. They formed a tight-knit network, continuing to connect with each other after the trip through online channels and working groups. Several participants have begun drafting policy recommendations for their own communities. Others have gone on to represent Indigenous youth at international forums like the 2025 Internet Governance Forum in Norway.
This momentum would not have been possible without the program’s design, which incorporated feedback from participants from the beginning. The course evolved in real time, shifting from lectures to interactive workshops based on participant feedback and engagement. Facilitators like Jewel created space for youth to lead, connect and see themselves as changemakers. OpenMedia and ICI removed barriers to access by covering travel, childcare and other supports that made it possible for the youth, who often shoulder multiple competing family responsibilities, to leave their communities for this opportunity. “This project reinforced for us that if you want people to engage in policy, you have to meet them where they are—and support them in getting to where they want to go.” – Matt Hatfield, Executive Director of OpenMedia
Related links
- OpenMedia website: https://openmedia.org/
- Indigenous Connectivity Institute: https://indigenousconnectivity.org/
