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Two-thirds of the youth enrolled in WrapED are Indigenous. Given the systemic issues facing the Aboriginal community – Indian residential schools, foster care, high incarceration rates, poverty, intergenerational trauma – it’s not surprising that in the two and a half years the program has been operating in Edmonton that the numbers of Aboriginal youth are so high.

“For a lot of these young people (a gang) is the best support they have had. There’s a place to sleep, what they perceive is safety for them. They’re perceiving it as safe place to be." ~ Jodene McIsaac, program manager with Native Services Counselling of Alberta.

“It’s an investment in the future of Indigenous people. It’s an investment in engaging Indigenous people in the economy and it’s an investment in reconciliation to actually see some positive change.” — Dawn Madahbee

“The centre will provide a space for Indigenous entrepreneurs to create, expand and excel in business ventures...” — JP Gladu, president & CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

“Sometimes it feels like a maze for an Indigenous person to try and get this funding and try to break through.” — Doreen Manuel, director of the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film & Animation at Capilano.

The provincial government has a long history of denying the very existence and rights of Indigenous peoples." —Cheryl Casimer, First Nations Summit political executive

“Our survival as a people depended on our relationship to the land, the animals and the fish and we always had respect and made offerings when we harvested any of these for food.” — Elder Vina Hendrix

"This campaign helps to remind us that sexual violence has no place inside or outside our classrooms.” —Tanysha Klassen, chair of the BC Federation of Students

“I think play-based language is really important. If you make sure they’re having fun with play then the language is just there.” — Cheyenne Morgan Gwa’amuuk

“There was some type of magic or energy there that we haven’t seen at the other seamounts.” —Jaasaljuus Yakgujanaas

The inspiration of taking over Macbeth was to offer Indigenous youth a First Nations perspective of the play that lessens the language barrier and heightens the story.” — playwright Reneltta Arluk