Indigenous Peoples Day: An interview with UNYA
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
For National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21st, QMUNITY is highlighting Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA), located here in so called “Vancouver.”
We interviewed Owen Ballendine, the 2Spirit Program Manager at UNYA, who shared information about UNYA's programs and specifically the 2-Spirit Collective.
"Urban Native Youth Association is the centre of Indigenous youth excellence, supporting youth on their journeys by amplifying and celebrating their voices. Every Indigenous youth carries unique gifts. At UNYA, we honour those gifts through a wide circle of supports—cultural teachings, mentorship, education, housing, wellness, and recreation."
What specific services does UNYA provide to Indigenous youth?
"Youth are at the heart of everything we do at UNYA. Every program, decision, and partnership are guided by the voices and experiences of Indigenous youth. Surrounded by a strong circle of support—from staff and board members to donors, partners, and community—youth lead the way in shaping programs, strengthening culture, and building a brighter future for generations to come."
Who can come to your organization for your services?
"UNYA serves Indigenous youth in Metro Vancouver, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit young people. Most programs are designed for youth and young adults between the ages of approximately 11 and 30, although eligibility varies by program. UNYA provides culturally grounded supports in areas such as health and wellness, education and training, housing, employment, leadership development, recreation, and community connection. Some specialized programs are available to specific groups, such as 2-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Indigenous youth, youth experiencing homelessness, or youth transitioning to independence."
How does UNYA use Indigenous practices, perspectives, and knowledge to inform the work you do as an organization?
"UNYA is guided by Indigenous values, cultures, and ways of knowing in all aspects of its work. Programs and services are designed to be culturally safe and grounded in the teachings, traditions, and lived experiences of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples). Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members play an important role in providing guidance, sharing traditional knowledge, and supporting youth.
UNYA incorporates Indigenous practices such as storytelling, ceremony, land-based learning, cultural teachings, and community connection to promote healing, wellness, and identity development. The organization recognizes the importance of self-determination and works from a strengths-based perspective that honours Indigenous resilience, cultures, and histories.
By centering Indigenous voices and leadership, UNYA ensures that its programs reflect the needs, experiences, and aspirations of Indigenous youth while fostering a strong sense of belonging, cultural pride, and community."
“What National Indigenous Peoples day means to me is it represents awareness, acknowledgement and a day to celebrate culture, traditions and teachings. My hope is that it also provides an opportunity for non-Indigenous folks to learn about Indigenous history and the affects that history has on the Indigenous community. As a community organization our work is to walk alongside our youth and give them a place to feel empowered along their journey” - UNYA CEO, Cheryl Robinson
How does the 2-Spirit Collective empower Indigenous youth within and outside of UNYA?
"The 2-Spirit Collective empowers Indigenous youth both within UNYA and in the wider community by creating safe, inclusive, and culturally grounded spaces for Indigenous 2-Spirit, LGBTQIA+, and gender-diverse youth.
Within UNYA, the Collective provides opportunities for youth to build leadership skills, connect with peers, access culturally relevant supports, and strengthen their identities through workshops, gatherings, advocacy, and mentorship. It helps ensure that 2-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Indigenous voices are represented in program planning and organizational decision-making.
Outside of UNYA, the Collective promotes awareness and education about 2-Spirit identities, advocates for the rights and well-being of Indigenous LGBTQIA+ communities, and builds connections with other organizations and community groups. Through outreach, events, and community engagement, it works to reduce isolation, challenge discrimination, and foster greater understanding and acceptance of 2-Spirit people.
Overall, the 2-Spirit Collective empowers Indigenous youth by strengthening cultural identity, encouraging self-determination, developing leadership capacity, and creating supportive networks where youth can thrive both personally and within their communities."
Can you describe how your organization utilizes your Philosophy of Care and applies this to the work that you do?
"Our Philosophy of Care is at the heart of the work we do at UNYA. Grounded in two-eyed seeing, culture as therapy, trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, and person-centred care, it creates safe, supportive spaces where youth are seen, heard, and valued. This philosophy guides every decision we make and shapes how we engage with and respond to youth across all programs. Guided by both Indigenous and western perspectives, we weave together traditional teachings, cultural practices, and lived experience. We recognize youth as the experts in their own lives, and our work is carried out with deep respect for their resilience, potential, and strength."
How can someone support your UNYA? How can they get involved?
"If someone is interested in supporting the UNYA 2-Spirit Collective, they can get involved by:
Making a donation to support programs, events, cultural activities, and resources for Indigenous 2-Spirit, LGBTQIA+, and gender-diverse youth.
Participating in or contributing to our bottle drive, where refundable bottles and cans are collected and redeemed to help raise funds for the Collective's initiatives and community programs.
Volunteering at events and fundraising activities.
Helping spread awareness about the Collective's work and fundraising efforts within their networks and communities.
Every donation and bottle drive contribution helps create safer spaces, strengthen cultural connections, and provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous 2-Spirit youth."
