Building communities of trust, reconciliation, and reciprocity
In 2021, a group of educators, youth, and community members got together to consider these questions: How were youth gaining the life experience needed to hear their own voice and know what pathway to take after school? How were they coping with mental health challenges and pressures of being tasked with finding solutions to the complex climate and social issues being passed onto them?
From these in-depth conversations rooted in relationships and care, laughter, uncertainties, late nights - and hundreds of sticky notes - The Howl Experience (Howl) was born. Four years later, this ambitious idea has grown into a national community of youth, educators, and supporters who believe in something bigger.
A group of students tours the Cave and Basin with Daryl Kootenay as part of the Banff 140 conference
In 2025, over 600 Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people participated in Howl programs and workshops, contributing over 2,700 service learning and volunteer hours to communities in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon.
Through time spent on the land, learning from Elders and local experts, shared meals, and open mic nights, youth from twelve provinces and territories built lasting connections and gained skills and confidence to propel themselves towards next steps on their career, life and educational journeys. Whether hand-treating hemlock trees to protect from invasive species, paddle boarding on serene glacial lakes, or simply finding their place in a diverse group, many youth have told us the same thing: “I didn’t know learning could feel like this.”
As you read on about the impact of Howl’s programs over the past year, we invite you to consider and carry with you:
Who were the key educators (formally or informally) who influenced your education and career pathway?
What life experiences took you out of your comfort zone and led you to where you are now?
What relationships (human and more-than-human) in your life motivate you to get involved in your community?
Thank you for being part of this winding, hopeful journey. Together, we are advancing Howl’s vision of a world where young people can access the education and experiences they need to build communities of trust, reconciliation, and reciprocity.
Click here to read the full 2025 annual report.
Written by Adam Robb (he/him) and Theresa Westhaver (she/they), co-founders of Howl
