In The News
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The Ballantyne Project provides Indigenous youth with a life-changing trip
This National Indigenous History Month, we recognize the journey to creating an inclusive and diverse culture starts with an individual and expands to our communities. Through initiatives such as The Ballantyne Project, in partnership with the John Tavares Foundation…
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Building Bridges through the Ballantyne Project
Q&A’s with Dwight Ballantyne
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#WeSeeYou Day sheds light on life in remote Indigenous communities
DWIGHT BALLANTYNE has lived in Canada his whole life, but has had feet in two worlds that could not be further apart. He spent his first 21 years in a remote First Nation in Saskatchewan, then headed west for city life and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With B.C. now his home base, he has found that few people understand…
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Ballantyne Project team visits Southend
A man from the Montreal Lake Cree Nation brought a team to Southend last week to encourage residents to seek entrepreneurial opportunities and spread some Christmas spirit.
Dwight Ballantyne says he started The Ballantyne Project to provide inspiration, opportunity and a voice to individuals living in remote First Nations.
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B.C. man aims to bridge gap between remote communities and rest of Canada
Schools across country to send activity kits to isolated towns for Dwight Ballantyne’s #WeSeeYou Day
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Support for first #WESEEYOU day much better than expected, organizers say
First Nation students at Thomas Haney hosting drive-through to collect donations this Saturday
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Montreal Lake man encourages youth to pursue opportunities off reserve
A man who grew up at Montreal Lake Cree Nation, and now lives in B.C., wants to spread awareness about what life is like growing up on a reserve.
Dwight Ballantyne with help from Denise Trottier has embarked on a campaign called “The Ballantyne Project.” Ballantyne, who moved to Maple Ridge…
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Truth and Reconciliation Day event offers Indigenous food, art and storytelling in Port Coquitlam
Riverside Community Church is hosting an event Sept. 30 in Port Coquitlam featuring Indigenous speakers, arts, culture and food as well as information about residential schools; the event is Indigenous led and organized through the Ballantyne Project.
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The forgotten pair of moccasins for Timber Bay School
“I think he is the perfect example of how you can take action,” said Ballantyne. “I can’t even thank him enough for what he did because it is an emotional story for me and my community.”
He said the fight to get the school recognized as a residential school is far from over. Ballantyne has started the Forgotten Pair Petition that has more than 1,000 signatures, the goal is to present it to Premier Scott Moe in the near future.
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Saskatoon man braving the elements on quest to Timber Bay school
After meeting Toni in September following his Saskatchewan-wide cycling trek, he offered his services to help Toni on this expedition.
“He’s sending the Ballantyne Project videos and we’re going to be editing them and putting the videos together for him,” said Ballantyne. “I will be narrating the story for him; I have the privilege of doing that for him which is what he wanted me to do.”
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Storyteller Dwight Ballantyne Creates Connection Across the Country
“Back when I was on the reserve, I felt like my story didn't mean anything, like sharing my story wasn't worth it. Being vulnerable and opening up to different community members in different reserves, it's a beautiful thing of healing in a way because when you share your experiences, you find that other people have been through it and it's an open door to talk about the stuff that... I bottled up,” Dwight Ballantyne shares, reflecting on his experiences as a public speaker and the opportunities his work has created for himself and others.
