Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada: Indigenous Youth Roots — 1.2 Million People Reached, $9 Million in Grants to 1,400 Youth Leaders for Community Projects

Source: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)    |    Date: Updated October 2025

Indigenous Youth Roots — formerly the Canadian Roots Exchange — has since 2019 reached 1.2 million Indigenous youth and community members through a youth-led program funding community-designed projects. More than $9 million has been administered as direct grants to 1,400 youth leaders to run their own community initiatives. Nearly 2,000 Indigenous youth have participated in policy and research programming; 30 have been offered employment with federal government and partner agencies; and 18 have moved into long-term employment including within their own organizations. The program — extended twice, most recently in Budget 2024 with $12.5 million — demonstrates a finding that is the bedrock of Madad Business Community's model: when young people are given real resources, real responsibility, and institutional backing to act on what they know their community needs, they produce outcomes that top-down programs cannot replicate.

Key Fact: Since 2019, Indigenous Youth Roots has reached 1.2 million people and granted over $9 million to 1,400 youth leaders for community projects. (Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada, updated October 2025)

Link: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524504660890/1557513687138