Building Communities, One Story at a Time
Little Hoodies, Big Impact
The teenage years are a time of change, uncertainty, and, for many in our digital world, growing isolation. With few places to go that don’t cost money, young people often feel left out. At EPL, we see the need to be a third place for teens, outside of school and home.
A space where they’re welcomed just as they are.
In 2024, a generous donation from the Bill Johnston and Mary Ritchie Fund for Indigenous Youth gave us the chance to create something creative and meaningful. We launched a free program where Indigenous youth could express themselves, connect with their culture, and build community.
We partnered with Braided Journeys, a student support centre focused on safe, empowering spaces for Indigenous youth, and Boyle Street Community Services. Together, we imagined a program that blended mentorship with art.
That vision came to life when Lance Cardinal, a well-known Indigenous artist and proud Edmontonian, joined the project. Though new to designing clothing, Lance saw the potential of wearable art that celebrated culture and community. And so, the Lance Cardinal x EPL Hoodie Collaboration was born.
Working closely with our Makerspace team, Lance created The Sacred Wheel—a stunning design inspired by the Medicine Wheel, which is a teaching symbol in many Indigenous cultures.
“I'm so grateful to EPL for giving my daughter the resources to understand another's experience.”
With the design complete, we brought the program into PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN, a beautiful cultural space that helped students feel at ease. There, we built a pop-up Makerspace where they could print their own hoodies in a hands-on, welcoming environment.
Across six workshops, the impact was clear. One student arrived shy and quiet but left the final session laughing and full of energy. In another group, students celebrated a classmate’s birthday with bannock and jam—a simple but powerful moment of belonging.
Word spread quickly and teachers from St. Joseph High School asked to return, hoping to bring more students next time.
The final session held a special surprise: Lance revealed the hoodie design would be retired, making each finished garment unique. What began as a design became something much bigger: a symbol of creativity, culture, and connection.
This project shows what’s possible when donors, artists, and community partners come together. Their support helped create lasting memories and gave teens a chance to feel seen and proud, and part of something meaningful.
In a stage of life that often feels uncertain, these hoodies and the stories behind them offer a simple truth: there’s always a place to belong.
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