The Community Research & Innovation Conference, hosted by the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, Scotty Creek Research Station and Government of the Northwest Territories, is the first annual conference dedicated to connecting northern communities and unlocking our potential to grow the next generation of environmental professionals. The conference will create opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation by bringing together community members, researchers, practitioners, educators and youth. CRIC provides youth with a forum to engage environmental professionals through meaningful discussions and the exchange of knowledge, experiences and skills all of which will transfer directly to their future employment. CRIC empowers youth by giving them a voice in creating knowledge, promoting their self-confidence and inspiring in them a tenacity for northern-based environmental leadership.