Lubicon visits Toronto
Youth from Toronto and Alberta form a connection through an eye-opening exchange.
Youth exchange participants and Toronto Community Housing staff in a festive mood at the CN Tower.
This spring, something amazing happened: Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) launched a unique cultural exchange program connecting 15 TCHC youth with 15 Indigenous youth from Lubicon, Alberta.
From May 16 to 23, the group of youth from the Lubicon Cree Nation arrived in Toronto for the first part of the exchange. For most of them, it was their first time in a big city! Their schedule was packed with unforgettable adventures.
The youth explored Toronto’s downtown core during a wild “Amazing Race”-style scavenger hunt, went to the top of the CN Tower, and visited animals at the Toronto Zoo. They then wandered through Kensington Market and Chinatown, and got to watch a Blue Jays game in a box suite. The youth also dived into Caribbean history and culture at Centennial College, and then potted plants and wrote thoughtful notes for seniors living in TCHC buildings in the East region.
“This was such a great experience. Best week ever!” said Kelly Yellowknee-Noskiye, one of the Alberta youth. “Thank you for everything you did for us, you’re all amazing!” added fellow youth participant Mark Cardinal.
TCHC youth who helped welcome the visitors also had a blast. “It was so cool to see how they went from being shy and overwhelmed to opening up and getting comfortable in the city,” said Asher Whelpley, a TCHC Active Living Senior Program Leader. “They started out unsure, asking if their phone data would even work in Toronto. But by the end, they were racing around downtown like pros.”
Programs like this exchange are important for TCHC youth because they open the door to new experiences, perspectives, and friendships. They help youth step outside their daily routines, explore different cultures and communities, and build confidence through travel and connection. Most importantly, these programs show youth what’s possible beyond their neighbourhoods. When they leave, they’ll have a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Due to the wildfires in Alberta, the second half of the exchange has been postponed—but this story isn’t over yet. We’re already looking ahead to next summer, when TCHC youth will get the chance to explore life on the land, build new friendships, and experience the rich culture of the Lubicon Cree Nation. The trip will include outdoor activities, traditional food, and a chance to learn about Indigenous culture firsthand. These experiences will include fishing, sighting buffalo, and creating handmade crafts or souvenirs.
One young participant summed up her thoughts: “I’m nervous, but excited. I’ve never been away from my parents or on a plane. But I know it’s going to be amazing.”
