"Beaver's Voice" Virtual Youth Forum for National gr 7-12
Welcome “Beaver’s Voice” Youth Forum participants! This page is your home base for all the events, materials & links that are part of this Forum.
Please reach out to genevieve@LSF-LST.ca if you have any questions or feedback!
Before You Begin:
We need your help! Before you start the Youth Forum with your class, please have each student fill out our short survey. We need this information for our funders. We can’t continue the Youth Forums without it!
Please forward this link to your students and ask them each to complete it ASAP: www.LSF-LST.ca/forms/cc-student-survey

Get Started!
- Kickoff Event: Learn more about the Youth Forum and hear from our inspirational keynote speaker:
Ferrada (Jacob) Lightning is the Community Climate Justice Coordinator at VIDEA. From the Treaty 6 & 7 region of Alberta, he now calls Calgary home. With a strong commitment to Indigenous cultural resurgence and climate justice, he approaches these issues through a Nehiyaw (Cree) and Iyethkabi (Stoney) lens. Currently, he is nearing completion of his degree in Criminal Justice and assists Mosom Rick Lightning to immerse himself in the culture and protocols of Nehiyaw traditions. Dedicated to supporting others, Jacob remains eager to embrace new learning opportunities every day!
> Thu, Feb 20 @ 1pm – zoom link coming soon!
- Climate Change 101: This course designed by our partners at Let’s Talk Science will bring your students up to speed on climate change knowledge before starting the Forum workshops!
> Access the course
The kickoff and climate change 101 course are optional, but recommended!
Student Workshops
Complete any 4 (or more!) of the following workshops with your students to receive your $1,000 Action Project/tech grant!
Live Workshops:
All times in Eastern Time.
Remember, all live workshops are recorded so you can catch up if you miss one!
Workshop Description: Coming soon
Prep/Materials Needed:
- Coming soon
> Watch this workshop live (link coming soon)
Workshop Description: Plamu is the Mi’kmaw name for the Atlantic Salmon. Plamu is a small part of big ecosystems and foodwebs – just like humans! Human action like harvesting have an impact on Plamu and all its relations. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, and it is important to be able to tell the differences. Discover ways you can be a force for good in ecosystems around your community.
Prep/Materials:
- none!
> Watch this workshop live (link coming soon)
Parks Canada scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders work together to conserve nature. We create and manage protected areas. We protect species and habitats. We help nature adapt to climate change. We restore natural areas, and protect them for all Canadians, visitors to Canada, and generations to come.
Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) is Unama’ki’s Mi’kmaq voice on natural resources and the environment.
By integrating Netukulimk (traditional Mi’kmaq management) with traditional and conventional ways of understanding, known as Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), UINR takes the lead on best-management practices in Unama’ki. We work closely with government and First Nations organizations toward equal participation in natural resource management.
Workshop Description: Coming soon
Prep/Materials Needed:
- Coming soon
> Watch this workshop live (link coming soon)
Follow the Flow: Observing WaterwaysWorkshop Description: So you’ve participated in the workshops and learned about all kinds of climate issues… Now what? Our Action Project Planning workshop will show you what an Action Project looks like and help you consider your interests and skills, your sphere of influence, and the root causes of the issue so you can take on the best Action Project ever!
Materials/Prep:
- Please print this worksheet (double-sided) – 1 copy per student
- You can host your own version of our Kahoot game here, or just follow along in your class & keep your own score!
> Watch this workshop recording (from Nov 26)
Next Steps:
More workshops coming soon!
Pre-Recorded Workshops:
Available anytime!
Description:
Through stories of her experiences in the Western Arctic of Canada, Kathleen Matari explores two important knowledge sets, Indigenous knowledge and Western science knowledge, and how the gap between the two must be bridged in order to take action on climate change.
Workshop Description: In this session students will explore how we capture and use the wind to generate electrical energy, how wind energy is being used across the country, and how students can support the transition to renewable energies.
Materials/Prep:
- Educator Guide
- Handout (use fillable PDF or print)
- Exit Ticket (use fillable PDF or print)
Learn more about GreenLearning
Workshop Description: In this session, students will explore a circular economic model in relation to the problem of plastic waste in the environment. Through examination of the Plastic Problem and technological solutions to plastic waste, students will feel empowered to address this complex issue and close the loop on plastic.
Materials/Prep:
- Educator Guide
- Handout (use fillable PDF or print)
Learn more about GreenLearning
Workshop Description:
This interactive workshop will explore climate change impacts and solutions through the Climate Atlas of Canada, an engaging online tool for students, researchers, decision-makers, and communities. As an example, we will look at the health impacts of climate change and students will have the opportunity to participate in a “treasure hunt” to find the answers on the site themselves.
Materials/Prep:
- Writing utensil & paper
- Internet-enabled device – 1 per student or shared
Learn more about the Prairie Climate Centre and the Climate Atlas of Canada
Workshop Description:
Students will learn to code a short program in Scratch that will allow them to create a “Choose your own climate adventure” game. They will code questions and answers, animate, and interactions with the program that will help them better understand how the littlest changes in their actions can have an impact. The learning is accessible to all ages and skill levels. This workshop is broken down into two 30-minute recordings.
Materials/Prep:
- Computer/Tablet
- Create a free Scratch account at scratch.mit.edu/join
Learn more about Brilliant Labs
Workshop Description:
This workshop explores food through the lens of technologies used across agriculture, harvest, transportation, access points (ex. grocery stores), and finally to your plate. This workshop also shares information about [1] spotting local produce in grocery stores and other commercial spaces; [2] natural fertilizers through compost, and mulches and their use in community gardens; and [3] hydroponics and how we can use this technology to grow foods without soil, when outdoor garden space is unavailable, and across seasons.
Learn more about Let’s Talk Science
Workshop Description:
We’ll use CoSpaces to build our own 3D creations, animate them with code, and explore them in Virtual or Augmented Reality. Learners will practice testing and debugging, and create a virtual space that they can share with family and friends! Projects will also be learner-driven, giving learners the space to leverage VR as a tool for positive change, to tackle an issue that is important to them.
Learn more about Canada Learning Code
Workshop Description:
This workshop provides an overview of the environmental and economic benefits of switching from a gas car to an electric car, including the trends in Canada and around the world. It also gives ideas for how students can get involved in sustainable transportation initiatives!
Learn more about Plug’n Drive
With support from:
Teacher Sessions & Resources
- Wed, Feb 12 @ 7pm EST – Meet & Greet/Info Session
More info about how the Youth Forum will work and how we can help! Answers questions like: What does the Youth Forum involve? How do I navigate the Hub? How do I get the $1,000 grant? and more!
> Join the info session live
Teacher PD Resources from LSF
PD package full of strategies, tools & resources for engaging your students in climate learning

Action Project Grant
Completed all your workshops? Time to request your $1,000 Action Project grant!
Action Project Grant
Completed all your workshops? Time to request your $500 Action Project grant!
Feedback Form
We encourage students & teachers to offer feedback on each workshop using our quick form!
Additional Resources
- Check out our database of over 1,800 peer-reviewed, curriculum-connected classroom resources on Resources for Rethinking (R4R.ca) – check out our Indigenous Knowledge search tools, including Two-Eyed Seeing resources!
- Empowering Learners in a Warming World climate change inquiry guide – each guide (gr 3-6 and gr 7-12) includes a chapter on Indigenous Ways of Knowing
- Engaging Students in Sustainable Action Projects guide
- Action Project inspiration on Our Canada Project – check out last year’s award-winning projects!