Empowering youth to lead, connect and take action—then and now
In the 1990s, the Trust’s early symposia brought together elected officials, Indigenous leaders, longtime residents—and youth. Young people in the Basin were eager to be heard. Sitting alongside their parents and grandparents, many of whom had lived through the construction of the Columbia River Treaty dams, young people were navigating their own challenges and ready to speak up.
At those early meetings, they raised concerns that remain relevant today: limited educational and employment opportunities, lack of transportation between communities, bullying, racism and too few resources to support their wellbeing.
For the past three decades, the Trust has created spaces for youth to connect, lead and take action on the issues that matter to them. From summer programs and advisory committees to youth-led projects
and regional networks, the Trust’s approach has been consistent: support youth with meaningful opportunities and let their voices shape the direction.
The Early Years: Youth Links and Leadership
In 1999, the Trust launched Youth Links, a six-week summer program designed for youth aged 17 to 19 to leave a legacy in their home communities. The first cohort of 12 participants travelled throughout the Basin, hiking, visiting heritage sites, volunteering, and learning about the region’s history, ecosystems and Indigenous cultures.
“We toured the entire Basin in a van with two counsellors,” says Ryan Schopman, a participant in that
first group. “We painted an old railway snowplow at the Revelstoke museum, restored a building yard in Fort Steele, built nature trails and removed invasive weeds. Youth Links opened my eyes to the many opportunities for community connectedness across the Basin.”
Turning Voices into Action
In 2001, the Trust hosted the first Basin Youth Action Forum at Blue Lake Camp near Canal Flats. Ninety youth from across the region gathered to connect and share ideas. Their message was clear: youth wanted more ways to participate and make a difference.
That same year, the Trust created the Youth Advisory Committee for members aged 15 to 29. The committee offered guidance on programming and funding, while giving youth practical experience in evaluating grants, organizing training and leading workshops.
“I joined at 29 because I was new to the area and looking to contribute locally,” says Tessa Bendig, now the Trust’s Manager, Delivery of Benefits. “The experience gave me exactly what I was looking for: hands-on community development and a deeper understanding of regional needs.”
Building a Network, Shaping a Legacy
In 2016, youth engagement had evolved into a more coordinated, Basin-wide approach. To support this, the Trust launched the Basin Youth Network, providing local organizations and individuals working with youth with resources and a collaborative framework for community-driven programming.
The Network now supports 27 Community Youth Networks across the region. Many of the people leading these networks are young adults themselves, bringing lived experience and local insight to the role. “What I love most about the Basin Youth Network is how it fosters leadership and connection,” says Alana Minifie-Rybar, Coordinator for the Fernie Youth Action Network. “It has shown me, time and again, the impact of meaningful support in the lives of young people.”
The Network doesn’t just support youth—it cultivates the next generation of community builders and civicminded leaders. It’s a ripple effect: when youth feel seen, supported and empowered, they carry that forward into their schools, their towns and their futures.
Mike Kent, who served as the Regional Coordinator from 2016 to 2025, played a key role in strengthening these local connections. “I’ve always appreciated the Trust’s investment in Basin youth. Its openness to diversity has been very important for all youth programming,” says Kent. “The honesty and enthusiasm youth brought, especially at our Youth Summits, were real highlights. I’ve made many lasting friendships in communities across the Basin.”
From building regional connections to amplifying local voices, the network helped ensure that youth priorities were not only heard, but supported through flexible, community-based action.
Supporting the Next Generation
While much has changed, many challenges remain—and youth in 2025 are not so different from those in 1995. They still want to be heard, supported and empowered. Today, the Trust continues this legacy with programs that reflect youth priorities: job readiness workshops, leadership journeys, summits and mindfulness toolkits.
The impact of youth programming continues to resonate, not only for today’s participants, but for those whose early involvement shaped their paths. “Through Youth Links, I learned to collaborate with diverse teams and solve problems on the fly,” says Crystal Lawrence, now a fisheries biologist. “That program gave me a deep appreciation for the Columbia River watershed and helped shape my career. I’m proud to be part of the legacy of the Trust’s youth programming.”
Young people across the region remain inspired and ready to lead. As Lydia Kalawsky of the Rossland Youth Action Network puts it: “One word that I would use to describe the future of the Columbia Basin would be ‘hopeful,’ because it seems like there are going to be so many new and exciting opportunities, especially for youth in this area.”
With a continued focus on collaboration and youth leadership, the Trust is helping ensure the next generation of Basin youth will thrive—and continue to shape the region’s future.
