Zara Lyons

Tansi! My name is Zara (she/her) I am Swampy Cree Metis from Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, but I grew up in Ottawa. I am currently a nursing student in the Trent/Fleming program and I am excited to be working with the Trailblazers this summer!

I wanted to work with TRACKS because I am passionate about youth empowerment and land-based learning. I actually co-founded Youth4Youth Canada with my sisters, where we created the Kîšâc Indigenous Cultural Workshops. The Cree word kîšâc means "ahead of time" or "with a view to the future". We built those workshops to help heal intergenerational trauma by teaching traditional skills which is something I hope to carry along my journey into healthcare.

One thing I am especially excited to share this summer is my Métis culture. As a jigger, dancing has always kept me connected to my community, no matter the distance. I look forward to sharing this piece of myself while learning from everyone else’s unique perspectives. As a leader, I bring patience and adaptability to ensure that everyone feels genuinely included and supported.