National Youth Network for Healing and Reconciliation

03/25/2013

“Let’s throw in our support and let’s embark on this journey and call for unity to all First Nations, to all Quebecers and other Canadians who feel we have to stand up and ensure the earth is well protected for generations to come.”

The Quebec village of Wakefield welcomed close to 300 young people from First Nations communities on Saturday with Bannock buns and speeches.

03/20/2013

"As young children, Lyna and Glen were taken from their homes and placed in church-run boarding schools. The trauma of this experience was made worse by years of untold physical, sexual and emotional abuse, the effects of which persist in their adult lives. In this emotional film, the profound impact of the Canadian government's residential school system is conveyed unflinchingly through the eyes of two children who were forced to face hardships beyond their years. We Were Children gives voice to a national tragedy and demonstrates the incredible resilience of the human spirit."

03/18/2013

The Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre in partnership with the
Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee and Ontario Native Women’s Association PRESENT:

Voices of Youth: Voices of Truth
“The hurt of one is the hurt of all- The honour of one is the honour of all”

Tuesday March 19th from 7-9pm At the Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre *Featuring motivational speaker and published author “Sandi Boucher”

Come and join us for an evening with inspirational speaker Sandi Boucher and the Youth Photo Voice Project. Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided.

Please contact Nicole at 737-1903 or Elana at 737-1501, for additional information.

This event is in support of Racism Awareness Week- March 16th-24th/2013

03/15/2013

The Youth ‘R’ Rock’N the Nations

On March 29, 2013 Young Medicine is hosting “The Youth ‘R’ Rock’N the Nations”, which is an enjoyable evening of Youth talent, entertainment, confidence building and networking, at Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge- Dare to Achieve Youth Conference, March 29-30, 2013 from 6pm-10pm. The evening will feature Kiit Kiitoki- magician/hypnotist, Youth Fashion Show, and other Special Musical Guests; there will also be a talent contest, for the youth to show off their dancing, singing, acting, comedy, spoken word, round dance and any other talent. The top 3 finalists will have a chance to perform on the same stage as Adam Beach!

Visit their website to register for this event!

The Youth ‘R’ Rock’N the Nations is a night where we share our young people’s Talents, Network, Make New Friends, Build Confidence and HAVE FUN! Friday evening of the talent contest will be the qua...

03/11/2013

The Youth Justice and Strategic Initiatives Section of the
Department of Justice Canada, in collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts, invites you to attend a free webcast presented by Garry Oker and Tracey Kim Bonneau

Promoting and Supporting Healthy Youth and Communities
through the Arts

“The Art of Reclaiming Cultural Identity in the Digital World”

Date: Monday, March 11, 2013
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm EST

The Canadian Council of the Arts has planned an interactive webcast that will highlight a program based out of Fort John, British Columbia which focuses on, ‘The Art of Reclaiming Cultural Identity in the Digital World.’
Mr. Oker and Ms. Bonneau will present on their program model which includes cultural practices and traditional teachings which they have incorporated and adapted for youth. The program is designed to engage youth using a youth friendly multimedia approach with the objective of building resilience amongst youth and communities and fostering intergenerational relationships. This is a model that has been adapted to a wide variety of youth, including youth involved in the justice system, youth who may be at risk of criminal behaviour and victimization or youth with mental health and addictions issues.

This webcast will share knowledge and information about ways in which organizations and communities can engage youth through digital arts all while fostering mentoring relationships and contributing to the development of positive cultural identity, factors known to support resiliency. This includes traditional values from elders and experts through youth friendly mediums such as; media production, creative writing, animation, print and podcasts.

The webcast will be made available via webcast and in-person by registering with Youth Justice and Strategic Initiatives at [email protected].

Once registered, a URL will be sent to participants. Participants will have an opportunity to send questions via email to the speakers during the webcasts. The presentation will be delivered in English with simultaneous interpretation in French.

Additionally, the sessions may be attended in person for those in the National Capital Region. Please RSVP to [email protected] for more information on the location by March 7, 2013.

Please Note: Pre-registration is required to view the webcast!

03/06/2013

"The Global Youth Assembly (GYA) is an international public forum on human rights among young people. It provides a space where participants can reflect on the issues in their communities and nations and learn from each other in realizing human rights. In 2013, participants will reflect on the global health of human rights and identify where they can contribute to fostering equality, justice and freedom."

Learn more about this opportunity by clicking the link!

about

02/28/2013

Calling all Aboriginal (Status, Non-Status, Inuit and Métis) artists! Visit www.our-story.ca to learn how you can enter a writing or art challenge where you can win up to a $2,000 and a trip to a major Canadian city! This challenge is for ages 14 to 29 and the deadline is March 31st!

Now in its seventh year, the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge, presented by Enbridge Inc., has expanded to include Arts submissions. But we haven’t forgotten our writing roots, just like you shouldn’t forget yours. Enter the Writing Challenge today!

02/27/2013

“The patterns that we saw in the residential schools are being perpetuated again,” said Atleo. “Perhaps previously it was an explicit policy to ‘kill the Indian in the child’…I think we have actions that definitely feel like it is in line with the principle of killing the Indian in the child. But the words have been words to seek reconciliation…now we want to see those words acted on and those words are words of reconciliation that our children should be treated fairly.”

APTN National News OTTAWA – The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal heard emotional opening statements Monday at the start of hearings into whether the Canadian government discriminates against First Nations children through the underfunding of child welfare services.

02/27/2013

“This case is important for everyone concerned about human rights,” Alex Neve, of Amnesty International Canada, said in a statement. “The outcome will affect both the quality of vitally important services available to First Nations children as well as the integrity of human rights protection in Canada."

Read more

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal begins hearings into a major case this morning about federal financing for First Nations child welfare.

02/27/2013

Craig Benjamin speaking on Human Rights issues in Canada

Craig Benjamin of Amnesty International says the injustices of the past are being extended to another generation of aboriginal children.