Future Leaders Uplifting Indigenous Youth in Musqueam

This summer, two young men—Brent and Vincent—stepped into leadership roles that will not only help shape their futures but also leave a lasting impact on the Indigenous children and youth of the Musqueam First Nation. As participants in the United Way BC Future Leaders program, which provides youth with work experience and skills for future employment, they worked with United Way BC’s School’s Out Summer Program, a vibrant initiative designed to provide safe, enriching, and culturally grounded experiences for children. 

For 16-year-old Brent, a high school student, Musqueam First Nation member, and avid golfer and soccer player, the opportunity to work with Musqueam children and youth was more than just a summer job—it was a chance to give back to his community and grow as a leader and role model. 

“A lot of the kids here we know and are…soccer players, too…so, it’s quite easy to get activities and stuff started with them,” Brent says. “[The kids] have someone to look up to.”  

Eighteen-year-old Vincent, who comes from Kilgard, Chehalis and Sumas First Nations, brings a quiet strength and deep cultural pride to his role sharing his love of canoeing, drumming and fishing with kids. He brought his younger brothers and School’s Out Summer participants out on his family’s fishing boat near Mission.

“They’d be looking at the fish just smiling…It was awesome. I want to teach them our ways,” Vincent says.  “I want them to carry themselves in a good way. I want them to be respectful. Because we go out and fish and we share fish as family. I don’t live with my Mom anymore, but I still call her and say “Mom, come grab fish.”’ 

Connecting kids, culture and the future  

The School’s Out Summer Program, supported by United Way BC, ran for eight weeks and welcomed up to 47 children a day, ages five to twelve. Each week had a theme—Water Week, Sports Week, Musqueam Week—designed to engage kids in fun, educational, and culturally relevant activities. Brent’s favorite was Water Week, which included trips to Watermania, Maple Grove Pool, and even a screening of Avatar: The Way of Water. Vincent loved the water gun fights and the joy of seeing kids smile in the sun. 

But beyond the games and outings, the program offered something deeper: connection to culture and community. During Musqueam Week, youth learned about their heritage through storytelling, land-based learning, and hands-on activities like cedar weaving with local artists Vivian and Rebecca Campbell. “She taught us how to make bracelets,” Brent says. “It’s cool stuff, and the kids really get into it.” 

Building a strong future 

Along with paid or volunteer internships, often with United Way School’s Out programs, youth in United Way BC’s Future Leaders programs like Brent and Vincent grow leadership skills, develop social networks and gain a deep sense of accomplishment – the building blocks of increased confidence to help them create their own path to success as adults.  

Courtenay Gibson is the Recreation Manager for Musqueam and oversees Future Leaders and School’s Out Summer programming. She’s seen firsthand how youth like Brent and Vincent become role models not only for Musqueam children, but for the community as a whole. “They are medicine for our community,” she said. “Their lightness, their passion, their drive—they uplift the community.”

“With the negative impacts of things like residential schools…we’ve often felt limited. My mom was in residential school. My grandma was in residential school. When that was happening [we didn’t think] we would be where we are right now in a generation.” 

Before he joined United Way BC’s Future Leaders program, Courtenay recalled Brent as a five-year-old wearing a Halloween police uniform every day, eager to help. “He used to ask, ‘When do I get to work?’” she laughed. “Now he’s here, mentoring kids and helping with community events like funerals, where he and other youth respectfully assist with setup and support.” 

UNITED for reconciliation 

Courtenay emphasized how United Way BC’s flexible and responsive support, training, and funding has transformed their ability to serve youth. Recreation isn’t traditionally funded, especially in Indigenous communities she explained. United Way BC’s support allows the Musqueam to offer daily meals, bring in cultural educators, and provide consistent, safe programming all summer long for kids and youth. 

She added, “United Way BC takes a flexible and open approach to funding and has always been hugely supportive of how we approach things. United Way BC has been transformative…for the youth that we serve…in our summer programming.” 

For Brent and Vincent, the summer was a stepping stone. For the children they mentored, it was a season of joy, learning, and connection. And for the Musqueam community, it was a reminder that the next generation is ready to lead—with heart, with pride, and with purpose. 

Together, we are UNITED for kids and youth. Donate today and make a difference.