Youth Activist Highlight: Cameron Adams

Cameron Adams is the developer of the Swampy-Cree language app, a student of Indigenous studies at University of Winnipeg; his project looks to revitalize Indigenous languages showing his dedication to reconciliation. He also does fundraising efforts throughout the year to go on Habitat for Humanity Build Trips in Canada and around the world. 

1.What type of social problems do you work? 

I have advocated for many social problems including missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Fairtrade and currently I am passionate about Indigenous languages and their revitalization. I am developing a Swampy Cree language app right now that will be out in September. 

2.Why do you think they are important? 

Each social problem I have been involved with is because there is an issue at hand. Fairtrade products pay farmers fairly and treat them with proper living conditions. In regard to Indigenous languages, I gained this passion because I met a Residential school survivor who spoke anishinaabemowin and it inspired me to find my Indigenous roots of Swampy Cree and Ojibwe. 

3.What inspired you to continue working for social change? 

I have always been involved within my community starting as a boy collecting pledges for the Terry Fox Run and CIBC Run For the Cure. This grew to knitting toques for the homeless and then on to building houses with Habitat for Humanity and now developing an Indigenous language app.

4.What brought you to activism? 

I would say that I do not go out to be an activist but instead I am passionate about things that are not discussed much overall. I continue working with my passion because I plan on making it my career. 

5.Why is the app beneficial to other people? 

I am being proactive in trying to save an Indigenous language by helping those who aren’t even born yet, be able to learn their language from birth.