The Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) recently brought 40 Indigenous youth to Calgary for the Medicine Wheel Warriors project. This project brought together Indigenous teachings, technology, and youth creativity to help youth discover their own strengths and connect with their culture. The participants in the project created their own superhero stories, powers, and identities before having a 3D superhero action figure made of them. “We wanted Indigenous youth to have representation in the superhero space, but also to involve youth in understanding more about technology, 3D printing, 3D design, and things like that,” said USAY Executive Director LeaAnne Ireland, who explained that the idea came from a visit to Red Deer Polytechnic’s makerspace. USAY plans to continue the program in the future to give more Indigenous youth the opportunity to explore their identities, creativity, and leadership potential.
