Standing Bear, a leadership program for Indigenous youth, developed by ASWCO, stands apart from other leadership programs for three primary reasons:

• the program was developed in consultation with more than 550 Indigenous youth across Ontario,
• the program is culturally grounded within an Indigenous framework of learning, being and doing, and
• the program works to create collective impact, bringing together a variety of stakeholders, organizations and communities, with one common purpose.

To ensure a consistent support system, Standing Bear provides participants with opportunities throughout the year, including day camps, conferences, and workshops, and as well, an opportunity to participate in a range of sport programming delivered through ASWCO. Funded by the Government of Ontario, Standing Bear opens the door to new opportunities, while reaffirming self-determination, community building and the capacity to affect change, in a culturally meaningful and relevant way, strengthening youth’s self-identity as Indigenous Peoples.