About the Project

IYMP is a communal, relationship-based afterschool healthy living program. It is delivered by Indigenous high school students for elementary school children. IYMP promotes wholistic wellness, prevents type 2 diabetes, and promotes positive mental health including Mino-Bimaadiziwin/Mino Pimatisiwin (the way of the good life). IYMP is grounded in an Indigenous model of resilience (the Circle of Courage), and Indigenous values (the Four 4Rs). IYMP builds on the strengths, energy, and talents of youth and communities.

IYMP has been rippling across Canada and throughout Alberta in partnership with Ever Active Schools and is currently offered in over 50 communities (over 35 in Alberta).

For more information about this project contact: sircle@ualberta.ca

Helpful resources for this project include:

Presentations

  1. Alberta Healthy School Community Wellness Fund Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=UNgQ0AhC0CI&feature=emb_title
  2. Alberta Mentoring Partnership Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t4H1TqxkFE

Select Publications

  1. Sobierajski, F., Lévesque, L., McGavock, J. Beardy, T., Montemurro, G., IYMP National Team, Storey, K. (2022). The essential conditions needed to implement the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program: a focused ethnography. BMC Public Health 22, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12412-1
  2. Lopresti, S., Willows, N. D., Storey, K. E., & McHugh, T. F. (2021). Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program: key implementation characteristics of a school peer mentorship program in Canada. Health Promotion International, 36(4), 913–923. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaa090
  3. Lopresti, S., Willows, N., Storey, K.E., McHugh, T.L., IYMP National Team. (2021) Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program: A Descriptive Case Study of Implementation in Alberta, Canada. Rural and Remote Health, 20(3), 1-7. https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/5919
  4. Lopresti, S., Willows, N., Storey, K.E., McHugh, T.L., IYMP National Team. (2021) Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program: essential characteristics of a Canadian multi-site community-university partnership with Indigenous communities. Health Promotion International. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daab039

Select Media

  1. Indigenous mentorship program uses research to foster young peoples mental, physical and spiritual health. Folio, November 4, 2021. https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2021/11/indigenous-mentorship-program-uses-research-to-foster-young-peoples-mental-physical-spiritual-health.html
  2. Health Matters. Global Edmonton, June 30, 2020. https://globalnews.ca/video/7127849/health-matters-june-30
  3. HEROES Magazine (Pages 20-24): https://issuu.com/stollerykids/docs/heroes-sp19-digital/20
  4. Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program. CBC Edmonton AM with Mark Connolly, December 7, 2018. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/edmonton-am/segment/15645645
  5. How youth-led mentorship is trying to break the cycle of diabetes among Indigenous children. StarMetro Edmonton, December 2, 2018. https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2018/11/26/how-youth-led-mentorship-is-trying-to-break-the-cycle-of-diabetes-among-indigenous-children.html
  6. Researcher creates path to holistic wellness through inspired and empowered youth. HEALTH e-news, September 11, 2018. https://www.ualberta.ca/public-health/news/2018/september/researcher-creates-paths-to-holistic-wellness-through-inspired-and-empowered-youth.html
  7. $5-million gift enhances children’s health research in Alberta. folio, September 10, 2018. https://www.folio.ca/5-million-gift-enhances-childrens-health-research-in-alberta/

Funders