Youth Advisory Council

Bella is a Grade 13 student at Frontenac Secondary School in Kingston, Ontario. She has a range of hobbies that keep her busy, including embroidery, digital and traditional art and reading classic literature. Additionally, Bella has a keen interest in history and aspires to pursue her passions by obtaining a master of art conservation from Queen’s University.

Alexia is originally from Vancouver and acknowledges the territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Esquimalt, Songhees and W̱SÁNEĆ nations on which she was raised. She graduated in 2022 with a bachelor of arts in political science and a minor in public administration from the University of Victoria. Alexia has worked in the public sector with nonprofits, municipalities and First Nations for seven years. Fond of hiking, swimming, reading and gardening, she is passionate about dismantling systemic oppression through the transformative power of community, empowerment, genuine collaboration and effective policymaking.

Nic is a lover of history currently pursuing their BA in the subject at Carleton University. If asked to narrow down their areas of interest, they would say mythologies, how people engage with history, history of gender and sexuality, and medieval history, although they would lament leaving out all sorts of fascinations. When they’re not reading (scholarly or otherwise), they can be found sharing their passion as a tour guide telling ghost stories or convincing themself not to buy more dice for DnD.

Axel is a fifth-year history and museum studies student at the University of Lethbridge. He is passionate about preservation and heritage management in his local community. He has also volunteered for museums in his hometown of Grande Prairie and plans to pursue a master’s degree in museum studies. Axel looks forward to joining the YAC to meet people from different fields and gain new perspectives and experiences that will help him in the future. In his spare time, he enjoys collecting board games, playing football and watching cartoons. 

Marie-Pier is a fourth-year student of a joint major in history and political science. In 2020, she had the privilege of working as a page in the House of Commons, where she served Canadians from across the country. She was also a guide in France at Beaumont-Hamel and Vimy, contributing to the preservation of Canadian heritage. Currently, she holds a position within the Canada Border Services Agency. Marie-Pier also identifies as a proud defender of the rights of people with disabilities. Her greatest passion is classical ballet, which led her to discover a love for music and theatre. Today, she continues to dance in an adult group in her community. Her journey reflects her quest for knowledge, as well as her commitment and passion for the arts.

Thea is pursuing a bachelor of design, majoring in interdisciplinary design. Her academic journey began with a combined honours in contemporary philosophy and classics, but the pandemic led her to pivot towards a more creative career path. With her keen eye for aesthetics and appreciation for creativity, she focuses her studies on graphic design for print publishing and brand design. With her background in philosophy and classics, Thea brings a unique perspective to the design world, blending critical thinking with artistic innovation to create impactful visual experiences.

Piper grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and is now in her second year of her history and media studies joint undergraduate degree at Trent University in Peterborough. She has worked at the Thunder Bay Archives as well as the Trent University Archives and hopes to have a full-time archival job after she finishes her master’s! Her favourite part about archives is the heritage and preservation side of the work.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Kay is currently working towards her library and information technician diploma at Mohawk College. She is Anishinaabe, with family from Mississauga of the Credit First Nation as well as Whitefish River First Nation. Kay has dedicated herself to advancing her career in the library system, working for five years as a library page for her local public library and archives. She brings a passion for learning and diversity to the YAC. 

Monet is pursuing an international bachelor of arts in history and archaeology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She recently completed her third summer as a tourism information officer and has a deep love for her home province. Her passion lies in developing connections between places through the exchange and exploration of story. In the future, Monet hopes to work with the loaning of exhibits between museums so that stories can reach even further. She looks forward to what she will learn and have to offer during her time with the YAC.

Stephanie is a first-year arts student at McGill University from Hamilton, Ontario. With experience working at her public library, she understands how libraries reflect and enhance the community. Passionate about environmentalism, feminism and the arts, she is committed to community involvement and is excited to further explore these interests through her academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Julia currently lives on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, Alberta. She is in her fourth year of a bachelor’s degree with a major in sociology and a minor in anthropology at Mount Royal University. She plans to move on to a master’s program following graduation. This year she will be working with the YAC as well as with her university as an undergraduate research leader on campus. Research is not always boring! It can tell us a lot about our histories, cultures and ourselves. In her spare time, travelling, concerts and hiking are her go-to hobbies.

Devin was born and raised in Port Moody, British Columbia. He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in behavioural neuroscience at Simon Fraser University (SFU). His passion lies in community engagement, which is why he is a peer mentor at SFU’s Indigenous Student Centre. Additionally, he coaches two wrestling teams and dedicates much of his time to helping seniors with neurological disorders. Devin’s goal is to become a physician. He firmly believes in applying a systems-thinking approach to tackle complex problems and sees YAC as an excellent opportunity to gain diverse perspectives from across Canada. In his free time, he loves swimming, hiking, climbing and trail running.

Elizabeth is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, studying international relations. As an immigrant, she developed a passion for understanding diverse cultures and human behaviours, which sparked her interest in international affairs. She has also explored psychology through online courses and personal research. In addition to her academic pursuits, Elizabeth has a profound love for art, particularly drawing and painting. Her ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on her community through her work in international relations, with a continued focus on human behaviour and global issues.

Lily is in her fifth year of a bachelor of arts in anthropology and history, with a minor in Indigenous studies, at the University of Lethbridge, located on Treaty 7 territory. She is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta and grew up in a small town called Blackfalds, which is on Treaty 6 territory in central Alberta. It was there that she became active in youth advocacy for 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives and community outreach work. Throughout her academic journey, Lily has been involved in several community-engaged research projects. She is currently working on her honours thesis, which delves into the realms of Métis family, oral history and archival narratives.

Ruby is currently in her first year of CEGEP at Vanier College in Montréal, with plans to attend McGill University to pursue studies in art and science. She is aiming for a career in art conservation and is excited about the opportunity to reconnect with everyone as she participates in LAC’s Youth Advisory Council again this year.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Eliza is in her second year of studying international relations at the University of Calgary. She loves getting involved with her local community by volunteering for organizations like the U of C’s Students’ Union and tutoring for EquaLearn. Eliza looks forward to discussing diverse Canadian stories with the YAC and collaborating with youth from across the country. In her spare time, she enjoys making art, crocheting and listening to music.