Pathfinder: Indigenous Youth Program

Pathfinder 2026

Session Dates: July 27 - August 14, 2026
(Monday - Friday only, student return home on weekends. There will be no program on the August 3rd Civic holiday)


What is Pathfinder?

Pathfinder is a summer program for Indigenous students meant to de-mystify post-secondary education, and is focused on Indigenous culture, identity, leadership skills, and pathways into post-secondary.


What programming takes place?

In past years, students have gathered at Mohawk College to participate in the land-based learning opportunity and been able to earn a dual credit and/or college credit depending on the time of year and activities. Past activities have included resume and portfolio building, career exploration, guest speakers, offsite trips, overnight excursions, ceremony with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and college program engagement.

Past Pathfinder Programming:

  • Soapstone Carving Workshop
  • Medicine Walks
  • Elder visits, storytelling
  • Traditional healing practices
  • Focus on healthy & traditional foods - cooking workshops
  • Focus on healthy relationships
  • Painting and cultural crafts
  • Canoeing / Kayaking on the Grand River
  • Overnight off-site cabin excursion
  • Off-site trips (Six Nations Tourism, Niagara Falls, local attractions)
  • Basic History and Traditional Games
  • Giving back to the community
  • Ceremony, and more!

Apply to Pathfinder 2026:

Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit - FMNI) students who would like to register for this program:

  • Must be between the ages of 17 - 21
  • Must not be enrolled in a post-secondary institution
  • Can have accepted an offer of admission to Mohawk College or a post-secondary institution
  • Can be in transition of changing from one post-secondary institution to Mohawk College or other institution

Students who attended Previous Pathfinder:
You are eligible to attend the Pathfinder 2026 program.

*Session is limited to 15 participants. Students who apply for the program will be notified if they have been accepted to participate in the program. Submitting an application form does not guarantee a spot in the program. Once accepted into the program, participants will receive a link to the registration package. The registration package must be completed prior to the start of the program.

The 2026 Pathfinder Application will open soon.  Stay tuned for future Pathfinder 2026 opportunities.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS: FRIDAY JUNE 5TH, 2026

Summer Pathfinder Priority Categories 

Due to high number of applicants, a priority list was created for transparency of the selection process:

Priority 1aNew participant (Mohawk College, incoming Fall enrollment)
Priority 1bNew participant 
Priority 1cPrevious participant (Winter Pathfinder only)
Priority 2Previous participant (Summer Pathfinder only)
Priority 3Previous participant (Winter & Summer Pathfinder)


Pathfinder Video:


 

Mohawk students gathered at the Hoop Dance

For questions, please contact:
Indigenous Awareness Programmer, amanda.aitchison2 [at] mohawkcollege.ca (amanda[dot]aitchison2[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)