students on ice logo

Expedition to Community

Expedition to Community (E2C) is a youth-led service program that is grounded in and supported by community. E2C inspires participants aged 15 through 30 to collectively consider the needs of their communities and work together to find solutions, offer support, and build programs that are for youth and by youth.

Since 2019, the E2C program has consistently engaged Canadian youth in service opportunities across Inuit Nunangat. Through inspiration, training, mentoring, and financial support, Local Community Coordinators and Local Youth Councils are given the tools to engage youth, elders, and key community leaders. Together, they envision future-focused opportunities designed to support the individual needs of their communities.

This program has produced a number of success stories including community beautification projects, climate change conferences, on-the-land workshops, and youth drop-in programs.

Map of E2C Communities

Click on the map below for contact details of each E2C Community Coordinator.

Past Initiatives

Learn about youth-led community initiatives taking place in communities across Inuit Nunangat. Below are E2C's most recent projects and initiatives.

Our Climate Our Arctic (OCOA) Virtual Youth Conference

March 2021

The second annual OCOA youth conference engaged communities across Inuit Nunangat in discussing the effects of climate change in the North. The three-day conference brought together stories from elders, research, and lived experiences from the communities of Makkovik, Kugluktuk, Inuvik and Cambridge Bay as youth shared in the history, learning and collectively considered ways to tackle challenges they face as a result of climate change.  By broadcasting to communities across Inuit Nunangat, the virtual conference helped to foster youth-led community engagement on climate change across the North.  

Exploration Day

March 2021

Kugluktuk youth explored ideas for community impact through the power of art and discussion. Their exploration day included sharing and celebrating the important contributions of youth in their community, as well as discussions and painting projects that fostered new ideas for youth-led initiatives. The day produced many exciting goals such as community beautification projects, finding safe spaces for youth to gather, and supporting stray dogs in the community. Stay tuned for updates on these initiatives in the months to come!

Community Inspiration Baskets

January 2021

The community inspiration basket project was a COVID-friendly collaboration project that allowed youth in Makkovik to share their ideas for future programming. The project saw 8 families receive baskets full of fun hands-on activities that reminded them of how much fun you can have as a team and challenged them to think outside the box and consider how they want to re-engage with their community post-COVID. The initial results from the baskets showed an interest in more cultural, on-the-land, and collaborative programming that encourages youth and community members to reconnect and honour their past, and build that into their future. *More community inspiration basket challenges will be offered in Makkovik in the months to come.

Kugluktuk Shoreline Cleanup

August 2020

The shoreline west of the hamlet of Kugluktuk, Nunavut was treated to a wellness day by an inter-generational task force. From the mouth of the Coppermine river over to the start of 4-mile bay, the team could be seen removing boats, fire extinguishers, styrofoam, and even lost socks. The support of the hamlet of Kugluktuk, and of the community members who brought their vehicles were so important in the success of the wellness day. Many thanks are given to the partners and volunteers.  And, following an afternoon of revitalization, the group celebrated with a well-deserved picnic and admired their clean landscape.

Our Climate Our Arctic (OCOA) Youth Conference

March, 2020

The first edition of the OCOA youth conference in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, brought together youth from the Beaufort Delta region to discuss and explore the realities of climate change in their community.  The five-day conference involved youth, researchers, local speakers, and partners such as Youth Climate Lab to reflect and engage in hands-on opportunities around the topic of climate change.  The conference culminated with the Declaration of the Beaufort Delta Youth.  On March 12, 2020, this declaration was read to the members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly by Ms Lesa Semmler, MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes.  

Makkovik Paint Night

The Makovik community paint night brought together youth from the community together with SOI Alumni, including an Alum from the very first SOI Expedition. Participants were asked to express what they loved most about their community through the colourful art of painting. Each participant brought their own perspective on life in Makkovik (Nunavik, Québec), and their ideas and goals for the future.  Overall, the youth expressed a deep desire to have more opportunities to gather and community build. This discussion led to dialogue within the community on ways for youth to create programs that inspire youth to reconnect with the land while also giving back to their community.

Expedition to Community is possible thanks to funding by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps program.

Want to know more?

If you are inspired, encouraged, or motivated by what you have read on this page, please reach out.  We are always looking to connect with like-minded people, communities, and organizations. Our E2C program currently engages youth in select communities across Inuit Nunangat and we aim to expand the program to more communities.