Founded in 1977, Katimavik is a Canadian national youth empowerment and youth development charitable organization. We engage with youth from a wide diversity of communities across Canada, including Indigenous youth, newcomer youth, Black youth, white youth, youth of colour, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, and youth of different faiths and religions, as well as youth from various socio-economic, linguistic and geographic backgrounds. We bring these young people together in common purpose, through active volunteerism and to support communities.

Through this work they develop deep unyielding respect and understanding of one another. They form life-long bonds of friendship. Those bonds reflect important values, along with a strong commitment to active citizenship. We believe, as a result of Katimavik’s influence, we are fostering a more tolerant, informed, understanding, respectful, and inclusive Canada.

From its founding and throughout its history, Katimavik has been committed to the spirit and intent of Truth and Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Though we are not an Indigenous organization and do not seek to become one, in 2019, Katimavik formally adopted a 50-year pledge to demonstrate a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation through our programming.

This pledge ensures we continue to build bridges of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth from diverse backgrounds. We support the leadership role Indigenous organizations play in Truth and Reconciliation and decolonization work, and we fully understand that role is not ours to misappropriate. Further, Katimavik remains committed to nurturing tolerance and mutual respect between diverse youth themselves as well as between English and French-Canadian youth as we help create a more harmonious and
unified Canada.