The Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project (OIYPP) supports Indigenous youth living in Ontario to engage in their communities through projects that promote environmental, social, spiritual, and physical well-being. OIYPP is a partnership among Tides Canada, The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, Indigenous youth in Ontario, and other funders and partners.

Indigenous youth are the largest and fastest growing population in the province of Ontario. Almost half of Ontario’s indigenous population (43%) is under the age of 24, compared to one-third (32%) of the non-indigenous population.

In December 2013, Tides Canada and The Circle hosted a meeting with Indigenous youth and organizations along with funders to explore interest and generate feedback on the idea of a fund for Indigenous youth. The overwhelming interest coming out of that meeting led to the creation of an Advisory Committee of core partners and Indigenous representatives who helped inform and design the OIYPP.