Project First Nations
Tags: Vol. 1, Issue 2, December 2020
Lucas Bras, a Police Foundations student, began his involvement in ‘Project 5’, otherwise known as Project First Nations, 6 years ago, as a high school soccer player at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton, a Toronto based secondary school. Along with his teammates and coaches, Lucas travelled several times to the Attawapiskat First Nation region to promote mental wellness through sport. During his travels and volunteer work within the Attawapiskat community, Lucas was able to create and nurture lasting relationships with the local youth and families.
“Project First Nations is a not-for-profit organization that connects Indigenous with non-Indigenous youth through the implementation of sports, arts, and social programs. We aim to create a bridge between the youth who reside in urban Canada with youth who live in remote First Nation communities across the country. We dream of One Canada with equality of opportunity.” – Project First Nations website
Recently, Lucas presented his experience with ‘Project 5’ to the Youth in Conflict with the Law class and received meaningful feedback from his peers. Many were inspired by him, and for many it was the first time they were learning about how many young people are struggling in our First Nations communities. Lucas continues to detail how his involvement with this project has had a tremendous impact on his life and has only stopped his regular visits to the region due to COVID-19 restrictions. Lucas looks forward to continuing to work with ‘Project 5’ and use the power of sport and connection to support mental wellness in our First Nations community.
“Taking this chance, I have learned things I did not even know about our country and culture. Going to Attawapiskat opened my eyes for the better, I was in the dark for so long [about] our country's culture and where it all started. The experience I had sharing this information with my classmates was heartwarming, and I look forward to sharing my leadership and heartwarming values with our Indigenous brother and sisters.” – Lucas Bras
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![Lucas Bras, a Police Foundations student, began his involvement in ‘Project 5’, otherwise known as Project First Nations, 6 years ago, as high school soccer player at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton, a Toronto based secondary school. Along with his teammates and coaches, Lucas travelled several times to the Attawapiskat First Nation region to promote mental wellness through sport. During his travels and volunteer work within the Attawapiskat community, Lucas was able to create and nurture lasting relationships with the local youth and families. “Project First Nations is a not-for-profit organization that connects Indigenous with non-Indigenous youth through the implementation of sports, arts, and social programs. We aim to create a bridge between the youth who reside in urban Canada with youth who live in remote First Nation communities across the country. We dream of One Canada with equality of opportunity.” – Project First Nations Website Recently, Lucas presented his experience with ‘Project 5’ to the Youth in Conflict with the Law class CE? and received meaningful feedback from his peers. Many were inspired by him, and for many it was the first time they were learning about how many young people are struggling in our First Nations communities. Lucas continues to detail how his involvement with this project has had a tremendous impact on his life and has only stopped his regular visits to the region due to COVID-19 restrictions. Lucas looks forward to continuing to work with ‘Project 5’ and use the power of sport and connection to support mental wellness in our First Nation communities. “Taking this chance, I have learned things I did not even know about our country and culture. Going to Attawapiskat opened my eyes for the better, I was in the dark for so long [about] our countries culture and where it all started. The experience I had sharing this information with my classmates was heartwarming, and I look forward to sharing my leadership and heartwarming values with our Indigenous brother and sisters” – Lucas Bras](assets/images/news/Project-First-Nations-1.jpg)
