Soaring: Indigenous
Youth Empowerment Gathering
May 9 & 10, 2023 | Edmonton Convention Centre | Edmonton, AB
Soaring 2023 is back in Edmonton! Taking on a hybrid format for the first time, high school students from across the country will learn about career and post-secondary education options by participating in career workshops either in person or virtually. They’ll also learn more about financial support and meet Canada’s top employers.
This year we are introducing a new two-day format taking place at the Edmonton Convention Centre with post-secondary campus visits and a hybrid platform which will allow students and educators to access event content in person or from their classroom if they can’t travel to attend.
The virtual Soaring experience will be hosted on Pheedloop, a virtual event platform. Pheedloop will facilitate registration and house all workshops, resources, and tradeshow content during the event. Panel discussions, workshops, and performances will also be live-streamed through this platform.
Registration is OPEN!
If you have any questions, please reach out to communications@indspire.ca.
Soaring Travel Fund
The Indspire Soaring Travel Fund supports students and their chaperones who wish to attend Soaring and who need additional support. The Soaring Travel Fund helps with the cost of accommodation, transportation, meals, and other expenses your group may need.
If you are interested in accessing these funds, please reach out to communications@indspire.ca.
Schools will be able to access funds up to $15,000 based on number of attendees, distance travelled, etc. The Soaring Travel Fund is open until all funds are disbursed.
The Indspire Soaring Travel Fund made possible by Digital Extremes, Mejuri, NEO Stock Exchange, Paper Excellence, Scotiabank, The Rattee Family and the Tachane Foundation.
School Grants Fund
Indspire’s School Grants Fund is accepting applications! Schools located in specific communities are eligible to apply for additional grants up to $5,000 to offset travel costs for students and a chaperone to attend Soaring taking place May 9-10, 2023 in Edmonton, AB.
To apply for support, please register your school by March 31, 2023 or reach out to communications@indspire.ca.
The Indspire Soaring School Grants Fund made possible by:
Campus & Experience Day
Students will have the opportunity to visit an institution/organization for a Campus or Experience Day that will include a tour, workshops, and complimentary lunch.
More experiences to be added! Stay tuned.
CN
Have you ever watched a train go by and wondered what it would be like to be the locomotive engineer? Spend a day with CN and learn about being a railroader. Try the simulator to experience what it’s like to drive a train. Connect with employees to discover different career options at CN. In addition, one of our CN Police people will share information about keeping everyone safe around trains and the tracks.
At CN, the careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. CN is a sustainability leader. It has been listed on the Dow Jones World Sustainability index for over ten years. And CN believes that diversity fosters innovation. Being a 100-year-old industry with a bright future, we are constantly challenging ourselves to continue to innovate the future of rail. Join us to learn more.
Deloitte
Join the Deloitte Indigenous team for a fun and interactive in-office experience, showing you a glimpse into a ‘day in the life’ for people working at Deloitte. Explore the many career pathways you can take with us, by spending the afternoon interacting and learning from members of our Indigenous Client Services team, Marketing team and more. You will get the opportunity to participate in activities around our office, gather for a delicious lunch and take home some Deloitte swag. We look forward to hosting you in our space!
Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park invites you to gather and explore life through the diversity of First Nations and Métis peoples. The award-winning exhibit explores the rich and beautiful cultures of First Nations and Métis Peoples while encouraging visitors to seek out the truths as lived by Indigenous Peoples in Treaty 6.
MacEwan University
MacEwan University looks forward to welcoming Soaring participants on Campus Day. Participants will gather for lunch, learn about programs and support services, attend interactive and informative workshops, and tour MacEwan’s beautiful campus.
With more than 65 degree, diploma and certificate programs, MacEwan University can help you follow your dreams and find your future. Every MacEwan experience begins in the classroom with teachers who are experts in their field and care about your success, but that’s not where it ends. Our campus is right in the heart of Edmonton, and our downtown neighbours offer endless opportunities to fill your time with meaningful, real-world learning experiences – from research and volunteering to practicum, co-operative education, and field placements.
When it comes to navigating student life, our kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre has your back. Whether you need academic support, help to access funding or ways to stay culturally and socially connected, you’ll be set for an incredible university experience.
TELUS World of Science
Enjoy a day at the TELUS World of Science – Edmonton where we will explore connections between Western Science and Indigenous Knowledge. During this program, you will take part in a viewing of Legends of the Northern Sky in the Zeidler Dome, learn about computer science and algorithms by beading a bracelet on a bead loom, explore the North in the new Arctic Journey exhibition, and enjoy some time in the IMAX® Theatre while watching Great Bear Rainforest: Land of the Spirit Bear.
University of Alberta
At the University of Alberta Campus Day Visit, guests will get the full Indigenous Student Experience at the U of A. Festivities will include a keynote by an Indigenous Professor, a visit to First Peoples’ House Indigenous Student Centre, a tasty lunch and an elevated campus tour that showcases the Indigenous vitality of our North Campus in the heart of Amiskwacîwâskahikan.
The University of Alberta has over 200 programs to choose from, including the first Faculty of Native Studies in North America. As the largest and highest ranked research-institute on the prairies, we continue to be the top choice for aspiring First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nurses, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, artists, and entrepreneurs from Treaty 6, 7, 8 and the North. The Indigenous community hub on campus is First Peoples’ House. The flagship event on campus run by FPH is our Annual Round Dance held every January in the Main Gymnasium where we welcome thousands of community members for a night of dancing and ceremony.
Water First
Come and spend the day with Water First! We will explore water science with hands-on activities that will give you the chance to try out tools used by water scientists in the field. The session will include a focus on water quality analysis, the water treatment process, and water distribution systems. Our session will also include surprise guests from our Alumni Network of Water First Interns who are working in the water science field. Learn more about the exciting variety of career opportunities within the environmental field!
Agenda (Tentative)
In Person
Tuesday, May 9
TIME | ACTIVITY + LOCATION |
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. |
Opening Ceremony + Deloitte Career Panel Edmonton Convention Centre |
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Workshops Edmonton Convention Centre |
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Campus + Experience Day Various Locations – TBD |
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
Student Social Edmonton Convention Centre |
Wednesday, May 10
TIME | ACTIVITY + LOCATION |
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Opening Edmonton Convention Centre |
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow Edmonton Convention Centre |
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow Edmonton Convention Centre |
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch + Indspire Panel, Entertainment Edmonton Convention Centre |
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow Edmonton Convention Centre |
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow Edmonton Convention Centre |
3:00 p.m. |
Closing Ceremony + Performance Edmonton Convention Centre |
Virtual
Tuesday, May 9
TIME | ACTIVITY + STREAMING |
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. |
Opening + Deloitte Career Panel Live |
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow On-Demand |
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow On-Demand |
Wednesday, May 10
TIME | ACTIVITY + STREAMING |
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Opening Live |
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow On-Demand |
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow On-Demand |
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Indspire Panel + Entertainment Live |
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow On-Demand |
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Workshops + Tradeshow On-Demand |
3:00 p.m. |
Closing Ceremony + Performance Live |
Talent
Coming soon!
Hotel and Travel
This year The Westin Edmonton is serving as the designated hotel for Soaring. Rooms for delegates have been reserved at a special group rate of $204+ taxes per night for a standard room, and are only available until Saturday, April 8, 2023. To book accommodations please email communications@indspire.ca.
Special rate for Soaring 2023
Air Canada is pleased to offer you up to a 15% discount off the base fare to attend Soaring 2023 in Edmonton, Canada, in May 2023.
To book, see www.aircanada.com for trips made between May 1st, 2023, and May 17th, 2023.
Book by May 1st, 2023, for up to 9 passengers on a single booking using your promotional code.
- Start your flight search by entering promo code G28EADB1 in the box provided.
- Choose the departure city and destination city (Edmonton).
- Select the departure date and return date.
- Click FIND.
- The discount will be automatically applied.
Looking forward to welcoming you on board!
This is what students have to say about Soaring!
“The best part of the Soaring event was the Spotlight Sessions and each of the panels, on both days. These panels were very informative, and I was able to take away a lot of important information in regards to achieving my goals as a person, connecting culturally, and getting some great advice through these panels.”
“My favourite part of Soaring was being able to listen to the stories and advice of those on the panels. Being able to learn the stories and struggles of others and how they got through them is incredible and really helped me reflect on myself.”
“The best part of the Soaring event is that they help indigenous people who don’t know what they want to do when they are done high school.”
Become a Sponsor today!
Supporting Indigenous education does more than prepare youth for the workforce. It makes life better for everyone. Educated Indigenous students contribute to their communities, to business, to our country – and to the world. With support from partners like you, together we can motivate, encourage, and inspire students in their educational pursuits.
Thank you to our 2023 supporters!
Lead Partner
Presenting Corporate Sponsor
Regional Host Sponsor
Major Sponsor
Participating Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors

Bag Sponsor
T-Shirt Sponsor
Champions of Soaring
Champions of Rivers to Success
Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy
Panel Sponsor
Indspiration Zone Sponsors
Entertainment Sponsor
University and Experience Day Sponsors
Workshop Sponsors
Virtual Workshop Sponsors
Exhibitor Sponsors
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
Arcadis IBI Group
ATB Financial
Bank of Canada
Bow Valley College
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Concordia University
First Nations Technical Institute
HOK
Inline Group
Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
KPMG
Loran Scholars Foundation
Mount Royal University
Nelson Education
Norquest College
Purdy’s Chocolatier
Queen’s University
SAIT (Chinook Lodge & Youth Initiatives Program)
Technical Youth Career Outreach Program
Universal Rail Services Ltd.
Virtual Exhibitor Sponsors
Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation
TJX
School Grant Sponsors
Rob Dowler & Lisanne Hill
The Indspire Soaring Travel Fund made possible by
Digital Extremes
Mejuri
NEO Stock Exchange
Paper Excellence
Scotiabank
The Rattee Family
Tachane Foundation