Driving Question:
How can we apply our learning of indigenous environmental advocacy in Canada to create a sustainable NGO in our home country?
Module Summary:
The teacher-led module “Beyond Existing” explores the intersection of Indigenous environmental advocacy and NGO development in Canada. During the module, students examine how Indigenous perspectives, histories, and cultural traditions shape approaches to environmental stewardship and community advocacy. The module challenges students to consider how these lessons can be applied globally by asking the driving question: how can students use their learning about Indigenous environmental advocacy in Canada to create a sustainable NGO in their home countries?
Throughout the module, students engage in an immersive learning experience that combines research, workshops, guest speakers, and field experiences. Learners begin by building foundational knowledge about Indigenous history, culture, and social narratives in Canada before exploring real-world examples of advocacy and nonprofit work. Students also travel to Bowen Island, where they meet Indigenous artist and storyteller Simon James and learn about cultural practices such as totem pole carving, as well as visit the Chinatown Storytelling Centre to explore the relationship between governments and NGOs.
In the later stages of the module, students participate in workshops focused on NGO development and social entrepreneurship, learning how to craft mission statements, develop a theory of change, and frame social issues effectively. Students also meet leaders such as Chloë Fraser, an environmental advocate and TGS alumna, and community figures including Karlen Thomas and Manvi Bhalla, who share their experiences in advocacy and nonprofit leadership. The module culminates in a charity ball event, where students pitch their NGO ideas to a panel of guests in order to secure support for their initiatives and demonstrate how they can apply their learning to create meaningful change.