23 Daring Predictions that will Shape the Social Impact World in 2023

Why It Matters

Signals tend to reveal emergent phenomena sooner so that changemakers can turn their attention to possible opportunities, disruptions, innovations and developments that affect their missions, programs and work. Signals can become mainstream and evolve into trends — when a signal hits a certain threshold, for example, it might become a trend in the broader society or sector, and begin to diffuse rapidly.

Taught by the land: Canadian Roots Exchange shares how land-based education empowers Indigenous youth across Canada

Why It Matters

High transportation costs and urbanization are just a few barriers that keep Indigenous youth from connecting to the land. Land-based education plays a huge role in not only lowering these barriers for youth, but also teaching them how to build a relationship with the environment and protect it.

"A celebration of us persisting”: Jocelyn Formsma on 50 years of the Indigenous Friendship Centre movement

Why It Matters

Since its establishment in 1971, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) has grown to become a non-profit supporting Indigenous communities from coast to coast across Canada. This year, the NAFC rings in its 50th anniversary, and executive director Jocelyn Formsma opens up about the movement’s importance to community members today and into the future.

This Indigenous, youth-led organization is strengthening its community using Anishinaabe philosophy

Why It Matters

A strong sense of belonging builds community resilience, which has been vital during COVID-19. This is especially true for Indigenous communities, facing already-existing inequalities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. As organizations move towards recovery and look to improve their services, they must centre inclusion — something that is integral to Anishinaabe thought and philosophy.

Indigenous youth weren’t involved in creating COVID-19 policies — here’s why that needs to change for recovery

Why It Matters

When creating COVID-19 protocols, the government didn’t always engage Indigenous communities, leaving many Indigenous leaders out of the decision-making process. Moving forward, that has to change; Indigenous youth are Canada's fastest-growing demographic, and for full COVID-19 recovery — one that takes into account the wellbeing of Indigenous communities — young policy leaders need equal say in building a better future.

This founder’s new program is reactivating Indigenous concepts of investing — here’s how

Why It Matters

“A key strategy in the colonization process, the residential school system, and the Indian Act, was to remove Indigenous Peoples from the land and displace Indigenous economies for the benefit of the settler population,” reads the Sage Initiative website. “This initiative is designed to reverse that process.”