National Youth Advisory Circle

Through the National Youth Advisory Circle, The Howl Experience is engaging Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Howl’s decision making processes and leadership, creating an additional level of accountability to ensure we are moving towards achieving our goals of bringing reconciliation to life through our programming and organizational structure, in a good way.

Beginning in April 2025, Howl’s inaugural National Youth Advisory Circle will collaborate with Howl staff to create a framework for youth engagement in the co-design & delivery of Howl’s land and community-based programs. As a primary project this year, Circle members will also help lead the design & facilitation of an in-person, national youth conference in November 2025.

The Advisory Circle is composed of 9 Howl youth alumni (ages 16-30) from across Turtle Island, with at least 51% of the Advisory Circle made up of Indigenous youth alumni.

Our 2025-2026 National Youth Advisory Circle Members

  • Harmony (she/her) is a Mi’kmaw youth from We’koqma’q First Nation who recently completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health at St. Francis Xavier University. She is passionate about Indigenous health equity, culturally relevant approaches, and community-driven solutions. In the fall, she will begin a Master of Science in Community Health at the University of Calgary.

    Her experience includes participating in Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula Training, holding leadership roles within her university’s student union, and sitting on the board for Mawita’mk, a non-profit supporting Mi’kmaw people with disabilities and their families.

    Harmony joined the Howl National Youth Advisory Circle to support community-based programming, uplift Indigenous perspectives, and help shape a future where young people feel empowered to lead with purpose and pride. She participated in the 2024 Yukon Exploration with Howl, an experience that deepened her commitment to land-based learning and Indigenous youth leadership.

  • Heidi Damayo is a multidisciplinary theatre artist and proud Filipina-Canadian prairie girl, born and raised in Mohkintsis, in Treaty 7 territory. She holds a BFA with Honors in Acting and a Master of Management from the University of British Columbia, where she was appointed a Wesbrook Scholar, and a recipient of the HSBC Undergraduate Award and Stephen Woodhouse Memorial Prize. She has played at major theatres across Western Canada and some of her favourite roles include Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire at Theatre Calgary and The Citadel, and Hermia/Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bard on the Beach. As a playwright, she is currently working on Angels Unawares: a commission from Nightswimming Theatre for their 5x25 Initiative.

    Her work often focuses on the relationship between our souls/psyches and the land we are on. She has a great love and respect for storytelling across cultures, and believes it is everyone’s responsibility to understand and amplify Indigenous voices and values here on Turtle Island. She is honoured to be part of the inaugural Youth Advisory Circle and hopes to use this opportunity to sharpen her own two-eyed seeing as she helps other youth develop theirs.

  • Heidi (she/her) was born and raised in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. Heidi wears many hats with a constant being her passion for working with youth populations in outdoor education and recreation. Her work over the past 9 years has taken her across Turtle Island; from leading multi-day canoe trips in Northern Ontario & Manitoba to coaching xc skiing in Tsuut’ina and Mînî Thnî to running logistics for backpacking programs in the Rockies. Heidi’s passion for working with youth comes from her experiences as a youth finding belonging at summer camps, and it is her greatest joy to hold space for youth to create connections and memories out on the land.

    Heidi brings curiosity to every connection and continues to grow her knowledge surrounding reconciliation, food sovereignty and creating inclusive spaces for all to thrive. In her free time, you can find Heidi outdoors with friends and family, volunteering with youth serving organizations, plotting her next garden idea, writing and performing poetry and learning improv. Heidi is excited to join the Howl Youth Advisory Circle to support more youth in accessing meaningful experiential learning through land-based programs and looks forward to the learning, leadership and growth that being a part of the Youth Advisory Circle will bring.

  • Nyssa (she/her) was raised in Revelstoke BC on Sinitx, Secwépemc, Ktunaxa, and Syilx land, following her family’s move from Australia to Canada. She is currently studying Climate Science at the University of Victoria, where she enjoys biking and ocean dips when she’s not in the library. In the summer, Nyssa works as a wildland firefighter for the BC Wildfire Service, where she has gained a unique perspective on the impacts of climate change in our communities. While in high school, she became passionate about climate action, and was engaged in leading initiatives with her school’s environmental action team. This experience, along with participating in Howl’s Rockies Exploration and Changing Seasons Semester, inspired her current studies. Through the National Youth Advisory Circle, Nyssa is excited to be a part of creating opportunities for youth to connect with their communities and environment. When she isn’t working or studying, Nyssa can be found in the mountains skiing, running, or stopped trailside for a snack break.

  • Riley (she/her) grew up in Whitehorse Yukon, on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council, and spent 2 years in Calgary on Treaty 7 land for post secondary education. She has returned home and now runs her own hairstyling business, and works in youth recreation. 

    Growing up hiking, biking, and paddling in the summer, and skiing in the winter were the highlights of childhood; she is passionate about helping other youth also have experiences out on the land, especially in hiking and spending time on the water. 

    She attended Howl’s Reciprocity and Resources program in the Rockies in March of 2025 and has now joined the National Youth Advisory Circle because of how impactful the program was. Riley hopes to experience more Howl programs through the Youth Advisory Circle, and by helping plan Banff 140, support others to have the experience she had in the Rockies.

  • Jessica Fairweather (She/Her) carries the traditional Haida name “Jaadsgwaan” meaning “First Woman”. A name passed down through the matrilineal line of first-born females of the clan Naikun Qiigawaay. Originating on the Northernmost tip of Haida Gwaii.  Her connection to her culture holds a great importance to her. The teachings she has taken on from a young age have led her to have great passion for helping others in her community and outwards.


    She maintains great pride in carrying herself with Yahguudang (Respect). Respect For yourself, for others & for everything around. This is one of the main Haida laws & guiding principles amongst her people. Yahguudang has been deeply woven into her values for as long as she can remember. A strong passion to help in her community led her to the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition where she graduated with the title of “Registered Holistic Nutritionist”. This further strengthened her belief of the importance of the Body-Mind-Spirit connection and provided a foundation of knowledge to share with her community.

    These teachings mixed with the passion she carries for her culture has led her to work at the Xaaynangaa Naay – Skidegate Health Center. With the Title of “Elder Wellness Coordinator”. This role includes creating and facilitating activity programs for elders in her community. Incorporating physical activity, social engagement and healthy habits. This role is a great honor to her as the elders within her community are held in the highest esteem. She feels great gratitude to work and learn from each of them.

    Jessica’s connection with Howl Began in 2022 at a time when she was deeply struggling with the recent loss of her mother and childhood pets. Her first Howl Experience cast a new light on her path in a way that she could never have imagined. This created a great appreciation for the organization and everyone involved, and she feels an abundant amount of gratitude to now be on the National Youth Advisory Council.