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HISTORY
A resolution calling
for the establishment of a Regional Youth Council (1990-138) was passed
at the Mushkegowuk Annual General Assembly in 1990. In 1998, at the
Mushkegowuk Council Annual General Assembly, another resolution
(1998-08-08) was passed mandating the organization to establish a Youth
Department. The first step of this process was the hiring of the Youth Co-ordinator
in August 1999.
Today the Youth Department now has the following positions: Youth
Coordinator, Program Assistant, and Youth Program Developer.
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There are seven (7)
communities within the Mushkegowuk Council area, which include:
Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Kashechewan First
Nation, Moose Cree First Nation, Taykwa Tagamou First Nation, Chapleau
Cree First Nation, and Missanabie Cree First Nation.
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MANDATE
OF THE YOUTH DEPARTMENT
“To develop
programs and training opportunities, based on community and regional
needs, as requested by the Regional Youth Council and Mushkegowuk
Youth. The programs and training opportunities provided should reflect
a medicine wheel approach to assist the development of healthy youth
and communities.”
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The first step in
creating a Regional Youth Council was to establish a Youth Working Group.
This group was created to seek Youth input and consultation on matters
pertaining to the establishment of the Mushkegowuk Youth Department and
the Regional Youth Council. This Youth Working Group consisted of one
member from each community who was selected by their local Chief and
Council. These individuals were responsible for sharing information with
their respective community on developments within the Mushkegowuk
Council’s Youth Department. They were also encouraged to initiate the
task of establishing, re-establishing, or fine turning a Youth Council
within their community.
In March 2001 the
Regional Youth Council was in place and consisted of two (2) youth
representatives from each community. These individuals were members of
their local Youth Council’s and/or individuals who have an interest in
working with youth, and who are dedicated and committed to the
aspirations of our Youth.
The main goal of the
Youth Department is to establish a Regional Youth Council. Once the
Regional Youth Council is in place, it will oversee and direct the
development and implementation of the programs and services that will
constitute the Mushkegowuk Council Youth Department.
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MISSION
STATEMENT OF THE REGIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL
“To provide
direction to the Youth Department by determining and evaluating
programs and services in the areas of self/social confidence,
education, community development and recreation based on community and
regional needs of all Mushkegowuk youth. The Regional Youth Council
members provide a voice for the youth at the Mushkegowuk Annual General
Assembly.”
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Regional
Youth Council Objectives
- To determine community and
regional needs for all Mushkegowuk Youth in the areas of self/social
confidence, education, community development and recreation and
address those needs by ensuring appropriate programs and services
are created and implemented by the Youth Department.
- To establish partnerships
and provide advice and recommendations to partners.
- To communicate with
Mushkegowuk Youth and promote the Regional Youth Council by various
forms.
- To gain professional
development as a Regional Youth Council member.
- To create awareness that
the Regional Youth Council members are Future Leaders in
Training.
- To meet on a regular basis
to create and foster positive change so that Mushkegowuk Youth can
grow up as healthy, strong individuals, thereby creating healthy
communities.
- To share knowledge and
information with other youth groups in and out of Mushkegowuk Territory.
Functions of a
Youth Council
- A Local Youth Council may
serve as an advisory body to the Chief and council;
- A Local Youth Council may
serve as an advisory body to Youth Workers within the community;
- A Local Youth Council may
serve as a body, which will plan and organize activities for fellow
Youth within the community;
- A Local Youth Council may
serve as a body, which will plan and organize activities and events
for fellow Youth with their community and participate in those
activities;
- A Local Youth Council may
serve as a body, which will plan and organize activities and events
for fellow community members, such as Elders, on the basis of
community and social development.
- A Local Youth Council may
serve as a body that could be viewed as our nation’s Future
Leaders in Training.
- A Local Youth Council may
serve as a body that combines any or all of the functions stated
above.
The Youth of the
community are in the best position to determine, which function or
combination of functions they will best serve. The outcome
should be a Youth Council model that the Youth of the community are most
comfortable in.
Communities are living
organisms. We are all part of communities. They are what we make them.
Community action helps communities grow!
What is a
Youth Council?
- Group of young adults
(15-25 yrs.) who meet on a regular basis to share ideas, address
common concerns, serve others and have fun together.
- Members learn leadership
skills while helping others.
- Designing their own
programs and activities based on their needs and the values of their
cultures & communities.
- Members learn to accept
responsibility, develop pride in themselves, feel good about helping
others and, oftentimes, want to do more once they see their
accomplishments.
- Can serve as an advisory
body to chief and council
- Can serve as an advisory
committee to Youth Workers within the community
- A Youth Council is a great
way of organizing youth to make a positive difference in their
community.
- YOUTH COUNCILS MAKE GOOD
THINGS HAPPEN TO THEIR COMMUNITY!
Why Should You
Become Involved?
- Learn how to work with
other young people on different levels
- Build strong and lasting
friendships
- Learn how to be supportive
of others
- Develop winning attitudes
- Be better prepared to make
the most of their lives
- Develop communication and
leadership skills
- Gain self-worth and
inner-strength
- Develop greater
self-esteem & self-confidence
If you are a Youth
between the ages of 15-25 and are interested in taking an active role in
the development of Youth Programs and Services within the Mushkegowuk
Territory and in your own community, then please write, fax, call or
email the Mushkegowuk Youth Department.
Current
Programs, Services, and Initiatives
- Youth Restoring Balance
Project
- Regional Youth Council
- Physical Activities
- Annual Golf Tournament
- Child Rearing and Family
Development
- Regional Youth Gathering
- Celebration of Youth
Achievement Awards
- Youth and Elders
Strengthening the Relationship Initiative
- Newsletter
- Ice Fishing
- Alternative Therapy
- Spiritual Health
- Trauma Facilitator
- Unity Run
- Community Support
For more
information on our programs, services, or initiatives, feel free to
contact us.
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“Individually, we can make a
difference,
but collectively we can change our communities!”
Mushkegowuk Council
P.O. Box 370, 12 Centre Road, Moose Factory, ON, P0L 1W0
Phone: 705-658-4222 • Fax: 705-658-4250
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