About Us

Anishiative is an Indigenous-led organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Treaty 1 Territory. We focus on youth, community wellness, care for our unsheltered relatives, and land-based education.

Our Mission

Uplifting youth and their voices. We honour where they’ve been and look toward where we can go together. We invite youth to reconnect with their heritage and share their stories in a safe, supportive environment. Through shared storytelling and group activities, they gain a stronger sense of identity and purpose, while discovering their unique role in the community. Many youths who grow through our programs are inspired to give back — helping others experience the same positive change.

Our Vision

Striving for the wellbeing of our community, youth, and land.
We achieve this wellbeing through a belief in inclusivity — that every youth in our community matters. By listening to youth, our programming continues to evolve to reflect their current needs.
Through programs that connect youth to the land, we reintroduce heritage and culture, nurturing a deeper sense of identity. Through storytelling and ceremony, we inspire hope and purpose — helping to shape and strengthen our community.

Our Community Impact

At Anishiative, our programs create meaningful impacts for Indigenous youth, families, and the broader community. Through cultural ceremonies, land-based retreats, and wellness initiatives, we foster healing, leadership, and connection.

40+

bags of litter collected each month by youth and volunteers through North End patrols and community clean-up walks.

400+

Meals provided monthly, distributed care packages, and organized coat drives and warming huts for vulnerable residents.

150+

Youth participated in land-based cultural and leadership camps, retreats, and workshops, reconnecting with culture, learning traditional skills, and reclaiming identity.

Dozens

Of ceremonies and wellness programs hosted, including sweat lodge and Full Moon ceremonies, cedar food baths, plant medicine walks, medicine bag making, and drum making workshops.

Elder & Knowledge Keeper Engagement:

Hosted Elder land-based gatherings and workshops, honoring and learning from multiple Elders, mentors, and knowledge keepers.

Youth Empowerment & Leadership:
Youth mentorship programs, employment opportunities, and culturally focused workshops empower participants to become community leaders, heal intergenerational trauma, and practice ceremony, kindness, and belonging.

Through these efforts, Anishiative strengthens community ties, preserves Indigenous culture, and supports youth on their journey to leadership and wellness.

A backyard featuring a cozy fire pit surrounded by seating and a tent set up for camping or outdoor gatherings.

A group of people gathers around a building displaying a prominent sign, engaged in conversation and observation.

History

Anishiative was co-founded by Anishinaabe youth Rylee Nepinak, Kristyn Boubard, and Justine James in the summer of 2020 in response to the needs of Winnipeg’s North End community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The name Anishiative was created as a reflection of Anishinaabe people taking initiative. Since 2020, we have taken on a wide range of community projects focused on youth, community wellness, our unsheltered relatives, and land-based education. These include litter patrols, residential snow shoveling, community hamper drives, and warming hubs. Other programs offer opportunities for community members to connect and learn alongside their children through traditional teachings and art, creating safe, inclusive spaces that strengthen family and community bonds.

During a summer heat wave, we set up cooling tipis for four days and hosted a pow wow — creating another opportunity for community members to come together, connect, and celebrate Indigenous culture.

We have hosted educational land-based camps, where youth spend time on the land to learn, heal, and grow from the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma. These experiences help empower youth and build their confidence. We value their feedback to assess the effectiveness of our camps and identify areas for growth, ensuring our programs continue to evolve with their needs.

In addition, we offer community wellness workshops addressing topics such as harm reduction, grief and loss, Indigenous family values, and self-esteem. These gatherings — supported by kinship, in-home wellness visits, fun events like movie nights and bingos, and community lunches — always center around our shared values and collective wellbeing.

In The News

Igniting Hope, Oct. 10, 2023, CAA Manitoba

Rising to the Challenge, Sept. 5, 2023, CAA Manitoba

Rylee Nepinak completes cross-country bike ride to draw attention to suicide epidemic, Sept. 21, 2021, The Coast

Landing Young Leaders, Aug. 16, 2021, Winnipeg Free Press

Anishiative’s Rising Sun program strengthens families, Apr. 22, 2021, Winnipeg Free Press Community Review

Indigenous group keeps fires burning for homeless in bitter cold, Feb. 9, 2021, Winnipeg Free Press

Youth patrol group ‘Anishiative’ striving to make Winnipeg a cleaner, safer city, Feb 09, 2021, APTN News

New youth-focused group cleaning up North End streets, Oct. 16, 2020, Winnipeg Free Press Community Review