© COURTESY OF SOARING CIRCLE
“A sewing lab is wonderful to invite students to get to college each day and to stay in school… it’s so critical that we have these safe spaces for Indigenous students for their overall wellbeing, for their academics, and to help them launch into the world.”
—Anita Tenasco, Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Algonquin College
Each year after September 30th, many are looking for Reconciliation-based projects, while others are turning their attention toward Christmas and finding impactful fundraising ideas. Since 2013, Soaring Circle has offered practical ways to do both.
Soaring Circle equips Indigenous youth—especially in remote communities where resources are scarce—with hands-on skills, mentorship, training, high-end equipment, and supplies so they can turn culturally rooted practices into careers and small businesses.
Their largest program is Sewcase, where they install sewing labs in community schools and post-secondary centres. The labs teach technical skills, support mental wellness, and open doors to careers in fashion and business. Their 25 labs (and growing) reach thousands of students nationwide.
With a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, the nonprofit upcycles thousands of pounds of fabric each year, reducing textile waste while promoting circular fashion. Students also showcase their work in Fashion Week and Skills Canada events, gaining public and industry exposure that leads to real opportunities.
Other programs include Dig My Story, an immersive archaeology program that combines fieldwork with historical research, ancestral knowledge, and the use of innovative technologies. The Art For Aid Project provides quality art supplies to remote schools. A bursary in the arts and media also helps students purchase equipment and access specialized courses.
WANT TO TAKE ACTION?
Soaring Circle invites you, your friends, and colleagues to use the months after Sept. 30th as a catalyst for action:
Share your professional skills with students through short text or video lessons in English or French.
Volunteer your creative skills in videography, video editing, writing, and graphic design to build learning resources and share student stories.
Adopt a Sewcase lab by partnering to open and sustain a lab in a community school or college near you.
Support a student by helping to fund the arts and media bursary.
Sponsor their e-learning expansion to help more youth gain confidence through employment and business readiness training.
Become an archaeology partner to help scale the successful pilot into a long-term program.
Host fabric-cutting parties to help teachers reduce their prep time.
Purchase sewing equipment by visiting their Donate page to select a Janome machine or a dress form.
Donate quality art supplies for remote schools if you are in the Ottawa area.
Invite them to speak to your group virtually or in person, hold a fundraiser, and spread the word!
Please visit SoaringCircle.ca to give and learn more. Also, follow the phenomenal work of the students on Instagram and Facebook.
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Soaring Circle empowers Indigenous youth through education, improving their access to career and entrepreneurship opportunities. Our work invites the active participation of all Canadians, to help move reconciliation forward.
In addition to offering educational programs, we have been at the forefront of creating large-scale awareness through impactful and historic events and continue to find creative ways to encourage positive action.