First Nations Agri-Food Youth Program
Donna Williamson, R. R. # 1, South Gillies, Ontario P0T 2V0
Ph: /Fax: 807-475-6993 Cell Ph: 807-268-2004
E-mail: dewillia@tbaytel.net
September 15 – October 15, 2003
Dear: Participant
Thank you; for agreeing to complete the Aboriginal 4-H Youth Survey. The purpose of the survey is to help determine if there is a need and a willingness to implement 4-H programming for Aboriginal youth. The Canadian 4-H Council is leading the survey across the Canada. In Ontario, both the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario and 4-H Ontario are working together to ensure the survey is completed.
The 4-H Program exists in 80 countries and has over 7 million young members. In Ontario, the program has 7,000 members and 1,600 volunteers. 4-H emphasizes learning new skills and developing self-confidence while making new friends and having fun. It brings together youth from the age of 10 to 21. Over the past 30 years, 4-H has existed in some First Nations across the province. This survey will show if there is continued or new interest in 4-H and if so how to support those who wish to participate in the program.
Due to the vast size of Northern Ontario I will not be able to obtain a wide perspective by holding short interviews in person with survey participants. I would appreciate it if you would complete the survey and email it back to me before the 15th of October. If you have questions pertaining to the survey or the 4-H Program please contact Donna at 807-475-6993 or 807-628-2004 or email at
dewillia@tbaytel.net We, would like to obtain a cross-section of opinion throughout Northwestern Ontario. We appreciate the time you are taking to answer the questions in the survey.Donna Williamson, Project Consultant/ Youth Representative
First Nations Agri-Food Youth Program (FNAFYP)
Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions. Thank you for your time.
1) What are the needs of youth (ages 10-21) in your community? Please check the boxes if you think these needs apply to your community.
2) What types of activities currently fill these needs in your community? Please list. Examples could include sports teams, youth groups, craft classes and cadets.
3) What other types of activities would you like to see organized in your community for youth?
4) The 4-H Program is a community-based educational organization for youth. 4-H Members learn to work together in groups. They also gain leadership skills in while learning about topics that interest them.
Have you already heard about the 4-H program? Yes No
If yes, what did you think 4-H is about?
Note to Surveyor: If No, please explain what the 4-H program is about and hand out appropriate materials.
5) Have you ever been a 4-H Volunteer Leader or 4-H member? Yes No
If yes, when? (Approximate year(s)?
6) Did you benefit from your experience as a 4-H leader or 4-H member?
Yes If yes, how did you benefit?
No If no, what was your experience?
7) Do you think that youth in your community would be interested in being a 4-H member?
Yes No
Please explain why (or why not)
8) Would adults in your community be interested in becoming a 4-H Volunteer Leader?
Yes No
Please explain why (or why not)
Note to Surveyor: Before question 9), you may need to explain what steps are required to become a 4-H Leader/4-H Member.
9) What would you think would be barriers to 4-H starting in your community?
For Volunteer Leaders:
For Members;
10) If you think that 4-H is a good idea for youth in your community, do you think that it would be better for a new club to be started within your First Nations community or for young people from your First Nations community to join with an existing 4-H club located nearby if one exists?
11) Would your community have any specific needs in starting a 4-H club?
12) Are there any organizations or agencies that could help support 4-H members in your community? (The support could be financial e.g paying for membership fees or club supplies or it could be donating a space for meetings or offering staff members to become 4-H Club Leaders etc…)
13) Would you like to see elementary schools in your First Nations Community start a 4-H Club either during school hours or after school hours?
14) In general, can you see a 4-H partnership in your community working?
Yes No
Please add any comments or experiences you have about the 4-H Program.
MEDIA RELEASE
Canadian 4-H Council to study feasibility
of 4-H programs for rural Aboriginal youth
(Ottawa, ON., Oct. 1, 2003)
– The Canadian 4-H Council has received $241,500 from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) Fund to study the development of 4-H programs specifically geared to rural Aboriginal youth across Canada. The study is being conducted in conjunction with provincial 4-H agencies.The Aboriginal 4-H Youth Feasibility Study will research the feasibility of introducing 4-H programs to aboriginal youth in rural Canada through a country-wide consultation with stakeholders to determine the interest for an aboriginal 4-H youth project. Based on the recommendations of stakeholders, 4-H Canada will develop a framework for programs. A summary of results will be released in November 2003.
"We want to determine if there is a place for 4-H in rural Aboriginal communities," said Debra Hauer, project manager of the Aboriginal 4-H Youth Feasibility Study. "Discovering all of the opportunities and barriers to participation in 4-H will help us plan and develop a framework for the future delivery of programs for rural Aboriginal youth."
The present CARD funding is among 40 projects which Minister Vanclief announced last July as part of an $8 million funding package earmarked for 2003-2004.
"Over the past 90 years 4-H in Canada has played a major role in developing future leaders through its focus on citizenship, healthy living, self-esteem, and rewarding hands-on project work, " said Mary-Ann Carson, president of Canadian 4-H Council. "The Canadian 4-H Council is grateful for this opportunity to seriously examine the possibility of bringing the tremendously positive benefits of the 4-H program to rural Aboriginal youth in Canada."
Since 1995, CARD has invested $450 million in national and regional initiatives conducted by the sector. The future direction for further programs will be determined through a series of industry stakeholder consultations now underway. For more detailed information on these projects or CARD, visit the CARD Web site at: www.agr.gc.ca/card-fcadr/.
The Canadian 4-H Council is a not-for-profit agency that co-ordinates all national 4-H activities in Canada. Founded in 1933, the Council offers conferences, exchanges, scholarships and international travel opportunities to thousands of 4-H members and leaders across the country. For more information: www.4-h-canada.ca
For more information, contact
:Chris Forrest - Communications Manager
Canadian 4-H Council
(613) 234-4448 or cforrest@4-h-canada.ca