The ice road tour – a journey of impact and connection

For over a decade, LiveDifferent has worked alongside Indigenous communities to empower youth through meaningful programming. This year’s Ice Road Tour was no exception, bringing hope and encouragement to students in 10 remote communities across northern Manitoba.

Navigating challenging conditions, our team travelled ice roads to deliver 64 assemblies and workshops over 20 days, engaging 1,470 students with messages of resilience, self-worth, and cultural empowerment.

Building relationships beyond programming 

A key component of the Ice Road Tour’s success is the relationships built between the LiveDifferent team and the communities they visit. Beyond assemblies and workshops, the team engaged with students and community members in informal and meaningful ways, fostering trust and deeper connections. Some of these activities included:

• Hosting movie nights in the school gym to create a fun, relaxed environment for students and families.
• Teaching students how to skate and providing opportunities for physical activity and skill-building.
• Playing volleyball and other sports with students, encouraging teamwork and positive social interactions.
• Providing karaoke nights to offer a fun, positive activity and a safe space for students.
• Participating in community events, such as hockey tournaments, ice-fishing, talent shows, and fishing derbies, provided the team with a richer understanding of the culture and a deeper connection to the community.

These activities helped strengthen relationships and made LiveDifferent’s presence in the communities more impactful and memorable.

Tackling critical issues 

Indigenous youth face disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges and school disengagement. LiveDifferent addressed these concerns head-on, integrating our Circles Program and the theme “What Really Matters?” to equip students with practical tools for navigating life’s pressures with purpose and self-awareness.

Real stories, real impact 

The impact of the Ice Road Tour was felt deeply within the communities. Students expressed newfound confidence, while educators saw a noticeable shift in engagement.

One teacher says, “I saw lots of kids that seemed to be shy or appear to be shy come out of their shell so to speak and that was really good that they were engaged and they felt that acceptance that warmth from the group that they made it open for everyone to participate nobody was singled out so that was perfect.

A future of possibilities 

LiveDifferent’s leadership team also played a role in laying the groundwork for future student engagement with LiveDifferent’s other programming. Agreements were made to send a group of youths and chaperones on a Build this June, furthering opportunities for cultural exchange and growth.

Despite challenges such as extreme weather and unexpected school closures, the Ice Road Tour reinforced the importance of meeting youth where they are at and providing them with hope, connection and support.

LiveDifferent remains committed to making a difference in Indigenous communities, and we invite you to be part of this journey. Visit livedifferent.com/donate to support future programs.