The I.E.Y.C. believes that, traditional knowledge is often spiritual in nature and has to be recognized as a central component to any culturally relevant research and knowledge translation activities. In order to respect the spiritual foundation of the Council, the following protocol has been established at the previously mentioned symposiums. Members will follow the nine primary philosophical principle of Indigenous knowledge, which include cosmology, language, integrity/honesty, respect, reciprocity, quality of life, protection of knowledge, acknowledgement of traditional protocol and intent. Participating members will also abstain from alcohol and/or drug use. IEYC meetings and symposiums will be scheduled to coincide with ceremonial activities. The activities of the council will rotate to the respective communities of members. IEYC members will be open to participating in ceremonial exchanges. The council will abide by the directions from the Elders at the International Indigenous Elders Summit 2004, provided in the Declaration. The council will foster the growth and development of youth in the form of apprenticeship and ceremonial opportunities.

In order to enhance the skills of the youth the council engaged in the following activities. Youth were an integral component of the successes accomplished. During this timeframe I.E.Y.C. planned a Unity Ride and participated in the Unity Walk in support of the Six Nations Land Reclamation starting from the Site to Six Nations Polytechnic to Chiefswood Park then on to the reclamation site located on the Plank Road tract in traditional Six Nations, Haudenosaunee territory. The Council has also participated at the Healing Our Spirit World Wide Gathering hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, August 7, 2006. At this time the Council was able to share the message of the International Indigenous Elders Summit 2004 by screening the documentary Jidwa:doh “Let’s Begin Again” International Indigenous Elders Summit 2004. The council supported and assisted in the production of the documentary which highlights the Elders’ understanding of historical trauma and speaks to healing collectively using Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices. It also raises consciousness of Indigenous peoples’ struggle to preserve their knowledge and culture. The council has also been supporting the development of a second documentary entitled “Mothers of Our Nations”. It is currently a work in progress, and focuses on the importance of women’s roles. The focus is raising awareness and ending violence against Aboriginal women. This documentary has also evolved from the Elders Summit and the message of the Elders declaration. These activities exposed youth to Indigenous Knowledge exchanges, Indigenous Knowledge translation, research skills and effective communication strategies. These activities also raised awareness around various training opportunities available to youth in the promotion, protection and conservation of Indigenous Knowledge. Youth gained hands on experience with Indigenous Knowledge and actively participated in knowledge translation, hence conservation.

The I.E.Y.C has also successfully facilitated the proposal writing for the Traditional Knowledge Master Apprentice Program, which was granted $68,000 to pursue the goals of the program. The focus of the master apprentice program is to train the apprentices, whom have the knowledge of Haudenosaunee speeches, to be able to carry out the ceremonial speeches for giving thanks, healing, weddings, and funerals.

I.E.Y.C. has continued to build on its partnership with the National Aboriginal Health Organization, the Amazon Conservation Team and McMaster University’s Indigenous Studies Programme. This partnership has lead to knowledge exchanges with the Union of Traditional Healers from the Colombian Amazon, the Waura of the Xingu Indigenous Park and the Indigenous people of Suriname, in partnership with the Amazon Conservation Team. The partners are currently developing plans for future exchanges between Traditional knowledge carriers and youth. Each of these activities has brought together Elders and youth to promote the preservation of Indigenous knowledge, while providing youth with opportunities to develop skills in the area of Indigenous Knowledge conservation and protection. Youth have also developed a number of transferable skills by collaborating with professionals in the development of educational resources intended to conserve Indigenous Knowledge.

The Indigenous Elders and Youth council has also developed the following networking relationships. These relationships will enhance the ability of the council to secure additional funds for accomplishing the council’s objectives.

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