Aboriginal Youth Internship Program

About:
The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program is a 12-month, paid internship ($1,564.13 Bi-weekly) for Aboriginal youth residing in BC. The interns are placed in provincial government ministries for nine months and then in Aboriginal organizations for the last three months of their internship. The program is designed to support Aboriginal youth in developing their leadership skills and encourage them to consider the BC Public Service or Aboriginal organizations as a place to pursue a rewarding career.

The program:

• Mirrors the school year and runs annually from September to the following August


• Provides professional experience


• Provides leadership development


• Provides cultural support


• Provides a professional, cultural, and social network through the intern cohort

Eligibility:
Applicants must be:

• Aboriginal (First Nations (status or non-status), Métis, Inuit)


• Residing in BC


• Age 29 or under as of September 5, 2011


• Have a minimum Grade 12 education combined with work and volunteer experience

Deadline:
Applications must be received by Friday May 13th, 2011

For more information, or to apply go to:
http://employment.gov.bc.ca/Aboriginal_Youth_Internship_Program

Excellent book - Hollow Tree: Fighting addiction with traditional native healing

Hollow Tree: Fighting addiction with traditional native healing
by Herb Nabigon

Hollow Tree tells the story of Herb Nabigon’s personal healing journey. The book begins with his life as a young child growing up in Pic Mobert First Nation and the time he spent attending residential school. His time in residential school left Herb feeling lost and disconnected, feelings that were compounded by the loss of his mother. After a period of time spent drifting from job to job, and numbing his pain under a veil of alcohol abuse, Herb began to be drawn back to his cultural and spiritual traditions. Many years spent exploring these traditions and teachings under the guidance of Elders helped Herb to recover from his alcohol addiction and discover a new way of understanding and valuing life.

This book is an excellent read. Herb discusses various teachings including Circle Teachings, the Sweatlodge, the Hub, the Medicine Wheel, the Pipe and the Medicines. Each teaching is woven so expertly into his story telling that you often don’t even notice the underlying lesson until you’ve finished reading. I sat down to flip through this book as a possible resource for my MA thesis, and ended up reading the entire book in one sitting! The book is an excellent resource on traditional healing practices, and also a poignant and often funny account of a personal healing journey. A truly inspirational story of honouring life - to be enjoyed and shared.

Herb Nabigon is an Elder from Pic River First Nation and is a member of the Loon Clan within the Ojibway Nation. He is also a Professor in the Native Human Services Social Work program at Laurentian University.

Herb's blog can be found at: http://www.eldersteachings.blogspot.com/ where he shares different teachings all aimed to help people know “minobimadiziwin” – the good life.

Hollow Tree is available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/Hollow-Tree-Fighting-Addiction-Traditional/dp/0773531327

Child and Youth Mental Health Matters conference

May 6-8th, 2012
Vancouver, BC

This is very advanced notice, but looks like an excellent conference.
The organizers have combined three conferences into one:

The First National Parental Mental Health Conference,
The First International Young Carers Congress and
The Third International World Congress on Children of Parents with Mental Illness

Description:
This conference brings together an interdisciplinary group of professionals working in the field of mental health with young people and parents and other stakeholders to share knowledge and experiences related to child and youth mental health. There are three themes woven through the conferences: Parental Mental Health, Children of Parents with Mental Illness and Young Carers.

This first ever gathering of this nature will provide a forum for focusing on the needs of young people and families as they struggle with issues related to mental health concerns across the generations. The overall goal of the concurrent conferences is help us develop a common language and understanding of the needs of young people and families. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds we hope to enrich our collecective knowledge of mental health
strategies, best practices and the latest research in order to improve outcomes for young people and families. Our goal is to create at the conference a community of practice that spans the three themes where we can each share our knowledge and support while we discuss areas of mutual interest and concern.

Conference Objectives
• To improve our understanding of mental health needs across the generations
• To examine how to engage professionals, young people and families in the development and implementation of prevention, early intervention and treatment strategies
• To examine what supports, activities and policies are needed to ensure that young people, families and professionals are supported in their struggles and challenges
• To provide a forum for networking and collaborating among mental health, health, criminal justice, education and child welfare practitioners, educators, researchers, policy makers, students, young people, families and other stakeholders with an interest in mental health issues across the generations
• To establish “Canadian communities of practice” for each theme area

For more information, please visit: http://www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/ChildandYouthMentalHealth.htm

New Relationship Trust BC First Nation Youth Grant Initiative 2011

The New Relationship Trust and the First Nation communities realize the importance of our youth. Accordingly, the NRT Board of Directors identified youth as a strategic priority. Our youth provide the key to a healthy and vital future. The ongoing support and participation of this group is essential to strong, healthy nations.

The New Relationship Trust allocated $250,000 for 2011 to assist British Columbia First Nation youth in their communities.

Who Can Apply?
The BC First Nations Youth Grant Initiative is available to all First Nation youth groups at the community level.

Maximum Initiative Contributions
The maximum amount available is $2,500 per First Nation/community.

Initiative Objectives
The purpose of this initiative is to provide incentive for First Nation youth groups to implement projects that promote capacity development.

For the purpose of this initiative, capacity building is defined as enhancing knowledge, abilities, skills and processes in such areas as:
􀂃 Leadership;
􀂃 Team building;
􀂃 Mentorship;
􀂃 Language & Culture;

Examples of Ineligible Expenses or Projects
1. Projects currently funded under another NRT initiative
2. Projects that have occurred prior to approval of application
3. Tuition, fees and school related costs
4. Administration costs
5. Honorariums


Deadline Date
Applications containing all required completed documents must be received at the New Relationship Trust office by 4:00 pm on Tuesday May 31, 2011. No exceptions.

Applications and proposals can be delivered by mail, fax, emailed or dropped off in person.
Only one application will be accepted per youth group/community.

Applications mailed to:
New Relationship Trust – BC First Nation Youth Grant Initiative
1008-100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2

Faxed to: 604-925-3348

or E-mailed to: ARose@nrtf.ca


Application Checklist (Please submit all documentation in application):
- Completed Application Form
- Short Description (attached/typed) how funding will build capacity, leadership and/or mentorship for British Columbia First Nation youth at the community level. Description should be no more than 2 pages.
- Budget breakdown of all expenses
- Provide description of project, information about BC First Nation youth group and how the project will benefit BC First Nations communities
- Letter of support from the local BC First Nation government

Approval / Evaluation Process
Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee and must meet all project requirements.

Reporting Requirements
If successful in your application, your youth group will be required to submit a final report with participant and all financial information. The name of a contact person is also required for follow-up at the completion of your funded project.

The narrative report will discuss how the youth built capacity and leadership in your community. Other materials, including pictures, participant and project evaluations are also encouraged, and may be published in the NRT Voices Newsletter.

For more information or to download the application package please go to: http://www.newrelationshiptrust.ca/funding/for-groups-organizations/youth-grants

The Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards

The Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards is once again looking for the best and brightest Alberta Métis, First Nations and Inuit youth. Nominate an outstanding young achiever in any one of six (6) junior or six (6) senior award categories. Winners will be announced September 23, 2011, at the Francis Winspear Centre in Edmonton.
Nominees must be Alberta Métis, First Nations or Inuit youth from 10 to 30 years of age. Join us in nominating and celebrating important new role models for today’s aboriginal youth. Nomination packages are now being mailed out to select individuals and organizations throughout Alberta.Nomination packages may also be submitted by any family member, organization, school, local official or individual from the nominee’s community. The deadline for submission is May 20, 2011. Download our free nominations package today.For more information, visit the web links posted above or call (780) 423-2237. Thank you!

(re-posted from http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/article.php?storyid=41893)

Youth Employment Centre opens in Whitehorse

April 18, 2011 // naho // Posted in Aboriginal Health News

Whitehorse—Yukon youth will have a new resource to help them discover their career options, Education Minister Patrick Rouble and Skookum Jim Friendship Centre President Nelson Lepine announced today.

“The Department of Education is proud to partner with Skookum Jim Friendship Centre to help youth across Yukon identify the right career choice, and realize their full potential,” Rouble said. “This three-year pilot program will open doors through education and awareness.”

The Youth Employment Centre, located in the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre, will provide employment services such as career planning, counselling, work placements and mentorships for youth aged 16 to 30. The centre will also co-ordinate with community partners to offer training in life skills, resume writing, job search and interviewing skills.

“Together with our partners, we will offer youth an opportunity to pursue the career of their dreams,” Lepine said. “To our communities, we offer a growing, vibrant and untapped workforce made up of Yukon youth—youth who will have the opportunity to show our communities that they can be successful when provided the tools and support to pursue their dreams.”

A key component of this project is outreach. Career counsellors will actively seek out youth to talk with them about career plans and life skills training. In addition to providing services in Whitehorse, the centre has a mobile component to serve communities across Yukon. There will also be subsidies available for employers matched with youth who are seeking to gain on-the-job experience.

The Education department is providing $300,000 per year for three years; $100,000 from the Canada-Yukon Labour Market Agreement and $200,000 from the department’s Youth at Risk fund. The Canada-Yukon Labour Market Development Agreement provides funding to support people who are often excluded from the labour force, including First Nation people, older workers, youth, social assistance recipients and people with disabilities.

-30-

Contact:

Emily Younker
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
emily.younker@gov.yk.ca.

Michele Royle
Communications, Education
867-393-7102
michele.royle@gov.yk.ca.

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SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence

The SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence are a celebration of achievement by Saskatchewan Aboriginalyouth in ten categories:

1. Outstanding Achievement

• Two awards in this category: Male and Female
• Lead a balanced lifestyle based on foundation of strong cultural and spiritual values
• Exceptional academic success
• Physically active
• Demonstrates leadership
• Inspires, supports and respects others with honor and dignity, education or career goals

2. Leadership

• Inspires and motivates others; identifies need, initiates action, finds solutions
• Demonstrates positive attitude and respects diverse cultures
• Supports others
• Academic success
• Education or career goals

3. Education

• Exceptional academic success
• Average of 80% or higher
• Clear post-secondary education and career goals
• Demonstrates leadership in extracurricular activities

4. Enterprise

• A group or individual who is in a business or entrepreneurship class/or group,
• Career goal in business,
• Academic excellence

5. Community Service

6. Culture

• Actively demonstrates and promotes Aboriginal values and language in school and community
• Includes all traditional dance, song and storytelling that reflects Aboriginal cultures
• Academic success
• Education and career goals

7. Sports and Recreation

• Significant achievement in competitive organized sport
• Academic success
• Education and career goals
• Initiates, develops, improves and encourages community activities that promote healthy lifestyles

8. Fine Art/Performing Arts

• Create artistic expression that portrays Aborginal people through the arts
• Academic success
• Education and career goals

9. Technology/Science

• Clear post-secondary education goals leading to career
• Excellent academic skills in sciences and/or technologies
• Demonstrates interest in applied science, health, industry and/or technology

10. Spirit

• Demonstrates personal characteristics that show ability to overcome adversity
• Resiliency leads to a healing journey through cultural/spiritual values
• Shares knowledge with others for the betterment of community
• Education and career goals

• Demonstrates concern for others in the community
• Generously gives of time and energy promoting the wellbeing of others
• Academic success

• Demonstrates personal characteristics that show ability to overcome adversity
• Resiliency leads to a healing journey through cultural/spiritual values
• Shares knowledge with others for the betterment of community
• Education and career goals

For more information on what is required in each of the categories, please see the website here.

Nominations for these awards are open to any youth who...

• is of Aboriginal ancestry;
• is between 13 and 19 years of age as of May 27, 2011;
• is a resident of Saskatchewan; and
• has demonstrated outstanding commitment and or ability in one of the nine award categories.

or any group that...

• meets the above criteria.

Anyone can nominate a youth (except parents). But, each nomination must be supported by two references: community leader, educator or elder, not related to the youth. Also, youths can only be nominated in one category.

To nominate someone you must send in:

• A completed nomination form.
• Reasons for nominating this youth.
• His or Her (or Group) accomplishments, in point form.
• Two (2) letters of reference from, an elder, community leader, educator, coach (can not be related to the youth).
• Nomination form filled in completely.
• Nominee must complete and submit a 200 word autobiography explaining how he/she or group fit criteria of the particular award category. Also include goals, objectives, and beliefs, and reasons why you feel you deserve this award.
• A 5x7 picture.

Note: All documents or pictures submitted will become property of the Wicihitowin Foundation and will not be returned. All documents or pictures must be submitted together at one time.

Mail, fax, or e-mail everything to:

SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence
Attention:

Terry Bird
11th flr. 410 22nd Street East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 1W8
Toll Free: 1-866-931-6205
Fax: (306) 931-5950
e-mail: aboriginal.youthawards@sasktel.sk.ca

Deadline for application is Midnight, April 8, 2011

Some helpful tips!

• A youth can only be nominated in one category.
• Give complete answers to all of the questions asked.
• Provide lots of detail about the nominee and accomplishments.
• Remember, the judges do not know the nominee yet.
• The judges are most interested in personal sacrifice, determination, effort, commitment, attitude, demonstrations of leadership, sense of Aboriginal culture and language.
• Past award winners are not eligible to be nominated.