Northern Youth Leadership

What Northern Youth Leadership does

Northern Youth Leadership (NYL) is a Canadian nonprofit charitable project of MakeWay Charitable Society (BN: 130560188 RR0001), headquartered in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, that delivers fully subsidized land-based leadership programming to youth aged 11-30 across the NWT and, increasingly, Nunavut. Formerly known as Taiga Camp, NYL runs 1-2 week wilderness camps, multi-day canoe and whitewater expeditions, and culturally grounded land-based experiences that combine wilderness skills development (canoeing, camping, navigation, Paddle Canada Moving Water Skills certification), leadership training, Elder-led cultural exchange, and youth-led environmental monitoring. The portfolio includes Youth Camps (ages 11-17 and 18-30), the Leadership Development Program (e.g., 2026 Coppermine River to Kugluktuk expedition with Black Feather), the Protecting Our Lands Camp (Deh Cho / Mackenzie River journey with Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨ Kųę́ First Nation and AAROM Guardians), the Saavittut Inuit Cultural Land Camp in Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) with Students on Ice, the Hidden Lake Leadership Camp, the COLD Forum, and the Tarek Leahy Chicot Camp.

All programs are provided at zero cost to participants, with NYL covering return airfare from home communities, camping gear, food, and program expenses. Revenue is sourced from a diversified mix of federal and territorial government grants (Department of Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada, NWT Municipal and Community Affairs), private foundations (Jackman, McConnell, Canadian Women Foundation, RBC Foundation, NWT On the Land Collaborative, Healthy Horizons Foundation), and corporate sponsors (Rio Tinto Diavik Diamond Mine, Canadian North), plus individual donations processed through MakeWay. NYL operates with a small core team led by Steph Woodworth (Project Director) and Goliah Makletzoff-Cazon (Program Coordinator), with delivery supported by an ecosystem of operational partners (B.Dene Adventures, Black Feather, NWT Recreation and Park Association) and research partners (NASA, Ducks Unlimited, Michigan Tech Research Institute, Ecology North).

The organization is community-led in its go-to-market, relying on school referrals, First Nations and community partner outreach, alumni networks, and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X) plus a website and email newsletter to recruit participants aged 11-30 across northern Canada. Its differentiated value proposition is the combination of fully subsidized access, remote northern land-based settings, Indigenous knowledge integration with traditional knowledge holders and Elders, and youth engagement in real scientific research.

Name

Northern Youth Leadership

Legal name

MakeWay Charitable Society

Website

https://northernyouth.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Northern Youth Leadership is a Canadian nonprofit that delivers fully subsidized, land-based youth leadership camps and canoe expeditions for participants aged 11-30 across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, integrating wilderness skills, Elder-led cultural exchange, and environmental monitoring.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Leadership Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Youth leadership programs
• Land-based education
• Wilderness youth camps
• Cultural immersion programs
• Indigenous youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

Yellowknife

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Northern Youth Leadership operates as a project of MakeWay Charitable Society (registered Canadian charity BN: 130560188 RR0001). Revenue comes from individual donations, corporate donations, and foundation grants. All programs are provided free of charge to participants.
2. Government and Institutional Funding: Funding from government sources including Department of Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada, NWT Municipal and Community Affairs, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Also receives support from corporate partners and foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Northern Youth Leadership delivers fully subsidized, multi-day land-based youth leadership camps and expeditions for participants aged 11-30 across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Programs combine wilderness skills (canoeing, camping, navigation), leadership development, cultural exchange with Elders and traditional knowledge holders, and environmental monitoring. All program costs including travel from home communities and gear are covered by the organization.

Product overview

Northern Youth Leadership offers a portfolio of land-based youth leadership programs centered on wilderness experiences in the Northwest Territories. The core offerings include Youth Camps (for ages 11-17 and 18-30), Leadership Development Program expeditions, Protecting Our Lands Camp canoe journeys, Saavittut Inuit Cultural Land Camps, Hidden Lake Leadership Camp, COLD Forum, and Tarek Leahy Chicot Camp. These programs are fully subsidized and include travel, accommodations, meals, and gear. Programs integrate wilderness skills (canoeing, camping, navigation), leadership development, cultural exchange with Elders and knowledge holders, and environmental monitoring. The organization formerly operated as Taiga Camp.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Camps
• Leadership Development Program
• Protecting Our Lands Camp
• Saavittut Inuit Cultural Land Camp
• Hidden Lake Leadership Camp
• Youth Connecting On the Land in Denendeh (COLD) Forum
• Tarek Leahy Chicot (TLC) Camp

Quantifiable outcome

• Youth report increased confidence, independence, and connection to other northern youth after camp participation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• MakeWay Charitable SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMakeWay Charitable Society is the parent organization of Northern Youth Leadership. NYL operates as a project of MakeWay (registered Canadian charity BN: 130560188 RR0001). MakeWay provides organizational infrastructure, charitable status, and operational support.
• Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Protecting Our Lands Camp 2026 - a land-based canoe journey along the Deh Cho (Mackenzie River). Students from Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Regional School participate in this program.
• Students on Ice (SOI) FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership bringing Saavittut Inuit Cultural Land Camp to Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), Nunavut. SOI is an internationally recognized organization offering transformative, place-based learning experiences for youth in the Arctic.
• Black FeathermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 2026 Leadership Development Program - Coppermine River Expedition delivering multi-day whitewater canoe journey from Coppermine River to Kugluktuk, Nunavut.
• B.Dene AdventuresmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner for Hidden Lake Leadership Camp 2024. Location provider for wilderness camp experience outside Yellowknife, NT.
• NWT Recreation and Park AssociationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Hidden Lake Leadership Camp providing advanced canoe and camping skills training to youth participants.
• NASAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental monitoring partnership contributing to ongoing northern ecosystem research. Youth data informed three NASA stories highlighting youth leadership and community-based monitoring.
• Ducks UnlimitedsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental monitoring partner contributing to northern ecosystem research through youth-led data collection.
• Michigan Tech Research InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for environmental monitoring programs, providing scientific framework for youth data collection.
• Ecology NorthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern environmental organization partnering on research design and environmental monitoring activities for youth programs.
• Anti-Poverty NWTsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting NYL's mission to empower northern youth.
• United NaturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partner supporting NYL programs.
• AAROM GuardianssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental monitoring partner for Protecting Our Lands Camp - youth participate in monitoring activities with AAROM Guardians.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/northernyouthl
• Facebookfacebook.com/wix
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northernyouthleadership
• Instagraminstagram.com/northernyouthleadership

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northern Youth Leadership