The program is an 8-week fully-paid job skills program. It runs Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.  Mondays & Tuesdays will be focused on land-based work and participants will collaborate with other EYA youth to steward EYA sites.  Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays will be focused on skill-building workshops with fellow cohort members.  You’ll gain skills in native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, and plant medicines, as well as employability skills like work planning, communication, and digital skills.

Each program engages a small cohort of 4-5 youth. All participants are youth who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and/or living with a disability. Through the application process, we do our best to select a group of youth who will be compatible with each other and create a safe(r) space for all participants.

In this program, you’ll gain land-based job skills including horticulture, ecological restoration, Indigenous plant medicine and land stewardship, and land-based education. You’ll also improve employability skills like work planning, verbal and written communication, organization, project management, teamwork, problem solving, and self-management. Throughout the program, you’ll also improve your resume and cover letter, prepare for interviews, set goals and get career navigation support.

Roots & Shoots applies a decolonial and anti-oppressive lens to employment training. This means we look critically at ideas like “professionalism” that reinforce white colonial norms. We also discuss equity and discrimination in the workplace, and support you to advocate for yourself and navigate a career aligned with your personal values. 

We value the wisdom and lived experience of each participant and encourage learning from each other through the program.

Roots & Shoots is led by EYA’s Employment Training team, all of whom identify as Indigenous, Black, and/or People of Colour. All staff have experience and training in land-based education, youth work, and creating inclusive spaces. Each staff is also on a unique environmental career pathway from which they will share experience and provide mentorship. You can get to know them and read their bios here.

The application process starts with an online application form. Following this, shortlisted youth will receive an invitation to a 30-minute Zoom interview with two EYA staff which is followed by a reference check. We know it takes time to apply for a program like this and will respond to all applicants, whether you are selected for an interview or not.

Each day starts at 10am with an opening circle and ends at 4pm with a closing circle. On Mondays & Tuesdays, Roots & Shoots participants will join Youth Habitat Crew participants to work together to steward EYA sites.  These days are led by Crew Leaders and will involve land-based work such as invasive species removal, weeding, watering, small construction projects, etc. There is a lunch break and lunch is not provided.  On Wednesdays to Fridays, Roots & Shoots participants will engage in workshops and applied job skill training focused on themes such as Indigenous plant knowledge, native plant nursery operations, restoration practices, land-based facilitation through a mix of hands-on learning, discussions, skill building activities, presentations, and projects. There is a 45 minute lunch break with lunch provided. The majority of the program is outdoors.

We use the following Communicable Disease protocols to keep our staff and participants safe: 

• Participants must not attend the program if they have symptoms of Communicable Disease. (EYA staff are required to follow the same protocol.)
• Hand hygiene - participants must sanitize or wash hands on arrival & departure from the site.
• Face masks - are optional and available for all participants.

We strive to make our programs as accessible as possible for our participants by being transparent on the inherent barriers that exist, and providing adequate support where possible. We recognize that disabilities are experienced on a spectrum and accessibility needs vary. Here are a few aspects of our programs which may create barriers or require further support to participate safely and comfortably:

• Some program days are outdoors: Rain or shine, in public greenspaces. We have large tents, and warm layers to lend, but participants are exposed to the elements throughout the program day.
• Program areas: uneven ground that has rocks & roots and can be slippery at times.  Some steps and ledges in indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Group composition: Generally 1 staff + 10 participants.  The group dynamic can be stimulating, chaotic, and noisy at times.  Participants can step away as needed if overstimulated.
• Communication: Largely verbal.  Facilitators will utilize visual supports such as white boards and diagrams to support when possible. 
• Accessibility of washroom facilities: At our Strathcona site, the composting toilet is not wheelchair accessible.  
• Activities: Many EYA activities are physical, such as games, digging, planting, walking.  Many activities can have alternative options and be adapted as needed.
• Digital learning: Some programming utilizes digital tools such as video conferencing, slideshows, and online collaboration. Closed captioning is available for video meetings.  Program registration generally takes place online, but paper applications are available.

Accessibility needs are extremely specific to the individual, and therefore this list is not comprehensive. When a youth applies for a program, we provide the opportunity to share about any health concerns, challenges or physical limitations that may require accommodations to support their participation in the program both in our application form and in our confirmation calls. We can then work together to explore ways that we can adapt our programs and provide support to increase the accessibility.  Please reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns.

If you are 18 or younger:

• You will need to read & sign this acknowledgement of risk form
• Your parent or guardian will need to read & sign this acknowledgement of risk form

If you are 19 or older:

• You will need to read & sign this waiver