b'CONTENTS Issue #1 20218 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTBy Mike DeGagn, President & CEO12 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE INDSPIRE AWARDS: Recognizing and celebrating 28 years of Indigenous excellence By Helen Smith, Indspire 62 One year in, how are Indigenous youth copingCOVID CHECKUP: with the stresses of the pandemic?By Sarah B. Hood 68 DEVELOPING DATA ANALYSIS SKILLS:Indspires first Research Knowledge Nest participants applaud the skill-building program By Nikita Weiss Day 72 GOING FULL CIRCLE WITH INDSPIRE:Recipients of Indspires scholarship program build their careers at the same organizationthat funded their studies By Matthew Bradford 76 THROUGH A BRIGHT LENS:Two Indigenous women working in the film industry celebrate the power of mentorshipBy Matthew Bradford 78 GATHERING ON THE COUCH:How Rivers to Success is creating a community of care86PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORYALSO INSIDE!2021 INDSPIRE AWARDS INSERTSTARTS ON PAGE 17On the Cover: The Heartbeat of the People by Emily KewageshigWhen I was creating this artwork I was thinking of celebration. When I think of celebration I can hear the drum beating, and I remember the way it feels vibrating in my chest. The sound that makes us feel most alive, the sound that resembles the heartbeat of our mothers. In this drum circle we drum, and sing, listen, and feel. Gathering together throughout the year keeps us moving forward, it allows us to connect with one another and feel a part of something bigger. Our voices are powerful, and we are our strongest when we use them together. On the summer solstice, Indigenous Peoples Day, we acknowledge our past and we look ahead to our future. Full of vibrant life, beauty, languages, songs, prayers, dances, traditions, and connections.'