Olive Tree Foundation and Caring Society Honour Youth Groups Advancing TRC Calls to Action
The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, in partnership with the Olive Tree Foundation, has officially announced the recipients of the 2026 Spirit Bear Award.
Recognizing the critical role that young people play in shaping a more just and equitable future, the annual award celebrates youth groups across Canada that have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action.
Established in 2019, the award is named in honour of Spirit Bear, a beloved symbol of equity, justice, and reconciliation for First Nations children.
Supported generously by the Mohamed and Opheera Nasir Endowment Fund through the Olive Tree Foundation, the award provides three annual grants to empower youth-led initiatives, which the recipients can use to fund their ongoing activities or simply to celebrate their hard work.
Following a national call for nominations that was briefly extended to accommodate the high level of interest, the selection committee was presented with deeply inspiring submissions from across the country.
"After a brief extension, we received five strong nominations from young people across the country," said Jess Raby, Education and Public Engagement Coordinator at the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. "Each group is doing amazing work within their respective communities. Even more so, they have all shown a strong commitment to reconciliation and the TRC Calls to Action."
“Supporting the Spirit Bear Award is a natural extension of the Olive Tree Foundation’s core values,” said Muneeb Nasir, Chair of the Olive Tree Foundation. “The partnership with the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society reflects a shared moral imperative.”
“In the Islamic tradition, the pursuit of truth and the establishment of justice are paramount duties,” Nasir added. “True reconciliation requires exactly this level of honest witness—acknowledging the difficult truths of the past and actively working to correct the systemic imbalances of the present.”
The 2026 Spirit Bear Award Recipients
This year, three remarkable groups were selected as the primary award recipients. Each has taken a unique and impactful approach to advancing reconciliation in their communities:
- Charging Thunder Singerz: Honoured for their powerful use of traditional cultural expression. Through their voices and community engagement, they are actively preserving Indigenous heritage while educating the broader public and fostering spaces for healing.
- Arklan Community Public School, Room 115: A testament to the fact that meaningful change begins in the classroom. These students and their educators have successfully embedded the principles of reconciliation into their daily learning, demonstrating that the youngest members of our society are fully capable of understanding and advocating for equity.
- Youth Advisory Council: Recognized for providing vital, youth-driven leadership and advocacy. Their strategic efforts ensure that the voices of young people remain at the forefront of community-level decision-making and systemic reform.
Due to the exceptional quality of this year's nominations, the selection committee also awarded Honourable Mentions to two additional groups, highlighting their deep dedication to the ongoing journey of reconciliation:
- Gathering Strength Community Services Society
- Appleby College’s Reconcili-ACTION Club
A Shared Commitment to Justice and Healing
"While it was tough to narrow it down to just three, I’m happy to share this year's recipients and honourable mentions," Raby noted, expressing her organization's gratitude to the Olive Tree Foundation for its "continued generosity in supporting and uplifting these young people in their reconciliation journey."
The TRC Calls to Action provides a clear roadmap for all Canadians, but it is often young people who approach this work with the most open hearts and innovative minds.
Whether it is through traditional singing, classroom learning, or formalized advisory councils, the 2026 Spirit Bear Award recipients are proving that age is not a barrier to advocacy.
They are not waiting to grow up to make a difference; they are leading the charge today.
As the recipients receive their awards to further their important work, their efforts stand as an inspiration to all Canadians.
The journey of reconciliation is long, but with young leaders like the Charging Thunder Singerz, the students of Room 115, and the Youth Advisory Council lighting the way, there is profound hope for a future rooted in mutual respect, substantive equality, and lasting justice.
For more information on the Spirit Bear Award and how to support the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, please visit fncaringsociety.com. To learn more about the community grants and endowments managed by the Olive Tree Foundation, visit olivetreefoundation.ca.