For Tyler Patterson, joining the YMCA Youth Council was about finding a place where learning could lead to meaningful action.
“I wanted to be involved in something that actually made a difference,” Tyler shared. “The Youth Council felt like a space where people are encouraged to care about bigger issues and do something about them.”
Eleven years ago, when Tyler was 13, they started gaining the confidence to explore topics that matter deeply to them, including reconciliation, Indigenous language revitalization, and the responsibility non-Indigenous people have to learn, listen, and act with intention.
Through their learning, Tyler became increasingly aware of the devastating impact language loss has had on Indigenous communities - a direct result of colonization and residential schools.
“Language carries history, stories, and ways of knowing,” Tyler explained. “When a language is lost, so much more is lost with it like culture, identity, and World View.”
That understanding sparked action. Tyler began raising funds to support an Indigenous language school, a tangible way to contribute to reconciliation while supporting the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages.
Turning Acknowledgement into Action
Rather than traditional fundraising, Tyler chose an approach rooted in education and reflection: hosting land acknowledgements at events as a way to raise both awareness and funds.
“A lot of people hear land acknowledgements, but don’t always understand what they mean or why they matter,” they said. “This was a way to slow down and connect words to real action.”
By pairing education with fundraising, Tyler is helping others move beyond performative gestures toward deeper understanding, encouraging people to reflect on the land they are on, the history it holds, and their role in reconciliation today.
Tyler shared a land acknowledgement at the Y’s 2025 Red Triangle Award Gala and met Kelly Evans, from the Community Foundation at the event. The connection brought an impactful result, where the Community Foundation matches donations from Tyler’s work with 100% of the proceeds going to Kehkimin – the first Wolastoqey immersion and land-based school.
Youth Leadership in Action
The YMCA Youth Council played a critical role in helping Tyler bring this initiative to life.
“Being part of the Y gave me the confidence to take this on,” Tyler said. “The Youth Council really encourages youth to lead, to ask questions, and to use their voices for good.”
This youth-led work reflects the YMCA’s broader commitment to developing confident, compassionate leaders, and to creating spaces where young people are empowered to engage with complex social issues in thoughtful, respectful ways.
A Message That Reaches Beyond the Y
At the heart of Tyler’s work is a simple but powerful message: reconciliation is not a one-time action.
“It’s ongoing,” they said. “It involves listening, learning, and doing something, even if it feels small. When it’s done with respect and intention, it matters.”
Tyler hopes their story encourages others — especially young people — to get involved in causes they care about, even if they don’t have all the answers.
“You don’t have to know everything,” they added. “You just have to be willing to learn and try to make a positive impact.”
If you are interested in connecting with Tyler, you can reach them at land.acknowledge@gmail.com.