Indigenous peoples are Canada's fastest-growing, youngest, and most under-leveraged workforce. Yet systemic barriers continue to stand between them and the careers they are more than capable of building. Kocihta exists to change that — and we need your help to do it.
When you give to Kocihta, you are not writing a cheque to an institution. You are investing directly in the potential of an Indigenous person who deserves the same chance as anyone else to find work that is meaningful, dignified, and matched to their gifts.
Invest in Canada's future workforce
Indigenous youth are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada. Supporting their career development today builds the workforce of tomorrow.
Advance real economic reconciliation
Economic participation is a cornerstone of reconciliation. Your gift supports Indigenous-led work that addresses the root causes of inequity — not just the symptoms.
Support Indigenous-led solutions
Kocihta operates under Indigenous leadership and is guided by Indigenous knowledge, values, and community relationships. Giving here means your dollars support work that is directed by Indigenous peoples and grounded in what communities say they need most.
Kocihta is helping to build Canada’s fastest growing, youngest and largest under-leveraged asset of Indigenous youth into a larger, more confident, and connected group with skills and passions that are better matched to opportunities in the workforce.
Many First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth are living in third-world conditions. Adversity and barriers are their daily reality, but since 50% are under the age of 25, they are a big part of Canada’s future, and future workforce.
No Access - No Education - No Job...
No Hope
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50% of First Nations children in Canada live in poverty compared to 15% for non-Indigenous children.
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The unemployment rate of Indigenous people in Canada is double that of non-Indigenous people (15.0% Vs. 7.5%).
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More than 400,000 Indigenous youth in Canada are positioned to enter the labour market within the next decade and they need education and skills to contribute/succeed.
50%+
First Nations children living in poverty (Canada)
2x
Indigenous unemployment rate vs. non-Indigenous
400,000+
Indigenous youth entering the labour market (next decade)
A career offers the best way for Indigenous youth to achieve
their potential, renewed hope, and self-sufficiency.
Programing
Kocihta’s programs help Indigenous youth overcome their barriers to stay in school, acquire the knowledge and leadership skills they need to plan a career path, and get
connected to workplace opportunities within a career of their choice.
Kocihta supports three program innovations and two strengthening initiatives that address the human resource needs of Indigenous youth.
Leadership Skill Build
Working with Indigenous Works and its highly successful annual Inclusion Works event, we offer Indigenous postsecondary graduates from across Canada a four-day leadership program that helps them develop the soft skills and experiences they need to become successful when searching for work and entering the workforce.
My Way
We believe that people should follow their inner wisdom, and every individual and situation is unique. We will invite Indigenous youth to tell us what they need to increase their human resource potential. Then we make it happen in partnership with organizations, or independently with a
donation of funds or gifts in-kind to actualize the dream.
Our Values
Our values are not policies on a wall — they are the living teachings that guide every relationship, every program, and every decision we make. Rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing shared across many nations and traditions, they reflect who we are and how we walk in this work.
Respect
We honour the dignity, knowledge, and lived experience of every Indigenous person we serve. We listen before we speak.
Truth
We speak honestly about the barriers facing Indigenous peoples in Canada's workforce and hold ourselves to the same standard we ask of others.
Courage
Systems change requires bravery. We are willing to challenge structures, name inequities, and take the harder path when the right path demands it.donation of funds or gifts in-kind to actualize the dream.
Wisdom
We draw on generations of Indigenous knowledge alongside contemporary research — understanding that both have a place in building lasting change.
Supporting Indigenous People With Disabilities / Special Needs
Kochita is assembling thought leaders and experts to
advance career development and human resource solutions
that will address how we can better help Indigenous people
with disabilities/special needs reach their career potential.