Oliver Campbell, also known as OJ, is a 19-year-old resident of Whitesand in Northern Ontario. During a recent trip – where you supported ADRA volunteers in their cooperative work alongside Indigenous fire safety experts – we got a chance to speak with OJ about his community’s challenges and aspirations.

OJ told us that on the reserve, the elementary school is the only educational institution. Children study up to grade 8, and then must go find a boarding home to live in for 4-5 years. OJ went through this himself. He expressed worry that the challenges inherent to this educational process will be difficult for younger generations of indigenous youth, which he observes are more populous than when he was school-aged.

“If you don’t find your groove in the first year or so, you’ll probably struggle through the next couple of years,” says OJ. “I was lucky because I moved in with my best friend, and his mom was a great help. They helped me adapt. Most students aren’t given that chance.”

OJ hopes to one day pursue further education, especially expressing an interest in psychology. He hopes to gain the relevant skills and come back home to help struggling people in his community. He also dreams of his community having better infrastructure to support a higher quality of life, including improved water access in family homes.

For now, the young indigenous man works alongside IFNA (Independent First Nations Alliance) to counteract forest fires in his community. When ADRA spoke with OJ, he was involved in a project to clear debris and dry brush off of a local fire guard. Your support for ADRA allows us to continue working with Indigenous communities and empowering Indigenous youth to dream of better futures.