It is often said that it takes a community to raise a child; as such, we at Impact Society recognize that empowering youth is a community effort. Since 2000, we have been privileged to listen to the stories, visions, and hopes of Indigenous youth, elders, and leaders. We have come to learn that each community possesses the pathway to reconciliation, restoration, health, and prosperity and that with intentional support, Indigenous Nations can strengthen their capacity for their children, and children’s children, to walk in long-term health and prosperity.
The idea of a Heroes program contextualized for Indigenous communities was born after Indigenous community leaders informed us that their 7 Teachings of love, respect, honesty, humility, courage, truth, and wisdom, were naturally intertwined within the Heroes program. The result of many conversations with Indigenous youth workers, elders, and community leaders is Heroes are Warriors -a Heroes program aligned with the richness of Indigenous culture and stories, designed to assist Indigenous Nations across Canada to achieve their goal of a community that inspires and enables youth to experience genuine success and holistic well-being.
the outcome of the heroes are warriors program is :
Students who have a greater understanding of their role within their Indigenous culture, and have developed a stronger connection with their roots, traditions and beliefs - now living with a greater sense of purpose and belonging in their community.
program at a glance
program materials
What’s included:
• Training includes community members who are involved in influencing youth
• Journal for Heroes are Warrior’s participants
• Heroes at Home for parents/caregivers
• School and community support
billie fortier
Hear the remarkable story of Billie’s grandmother and the choices she made that are impacting generations.
“The Heroes are Warriors program is a wonderful example of how to build the confidence, character and integrity in these children; to build them up into confident youth, through to adults, and to nurture them along the way.”
- Billie Fortier, Board Member & Professional
sample story
“You’re useless and you’ll never amount to anything.”
Those words rang in Jeremiah’s ears as he was expelled for fighting and bullying. He told me that in his heart, he wanted to believe that those words were a lie. But a little voice in the back of his head kept saying “were they?”
Watch this live recording of a sample story included in the Heroes are Warriors Program.
“In Heroes are Warriors, I learned that you don’t have to follow anyone’s steps, you can follow your own. I used to follow what others were doing; drinking and having bad relationships, but now I’m more into my education not worrying about what others think and say about me. My advice to others would be “be yourself, knock down those walls…who cares what others say?”
- Heroes Are Warriors Participant
“Our vision is for every young person to have the tools and system of support they need to live a flourishing life.”
Impact Society has been developing curriculum resources for students, educators, communities and families for over 25 years.
Our signature program, Heroes, follows the brain science of change (feelings, thoughts, behaviour, conviction) that builds on the strengths of a student. Heroes has been proven to build 30 psychological and sociological factors in young people, increasing their resilience and mental well-being.
Heroes programs are proactive in nature, providing young people with the tools to live and lead from their gifts & abilities, enhancing their capacity to experience long-term purpose and significance.