COO hosts First Nation youth gathering in Six Nations to discuss education
Keewaytinook Okimakanak, through Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet and the Ontario Regional Management Organization, sent a team of youth to this year's Chiefs of Ontario 3rd Annual First Nations Youth Symposium in Six Nations.
The SchoolNet team is made up of participants in this year's Youth Employment initiative that participated in the Cisco Academy of Learning ITE1 program and successfully completed the course. Angie Fiddler, the project coordinator and Angus Miles, the ITE1 Training Coordinator travelled to the gathering along with Cal Kenny and Kanina Terry to present these youth with their certificates and document this event. As well, Angus will be working with those youth who are now working through the Cisco ITE2 course, helping them complete their lessons. Click here to check out the pictures from this event
The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council invited youth from across Ontario to attend this gathering that is being held this weekend, February 24-26, 2006. Click here to check out last year's gathering
This event is being jointly hosted in Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation.
This year’s theme is focusing on Education and providing First Nations youth with the opportunity to learn of First Nation approaches to education, balancing traditional values in pursuit of education, the importance of languages, and other relevant topics. In addition there are planned presentations and discussions from youth regarding the challenges and opportunities before them.
All First Nation youth 16-29 years of age were invited to attend this symposium. However, youth under 18 are required to have a chaperone. The Chiefs of Ontario were not covering the cost of travel for participants and therefore the participants were encouraged to seek sponsorship for this event. First Nations were encouraged to support their youth to attend by assisting in costs for travel. Accommodations for out of town participants are being provided.
The symposium is intended to bring together youth, educators, traditional elders, and technical experts for the opportunity to dialogue and share information that will participants and First Nations youth in general. This gathering is intended to provide a framework for the OFNYPC to develop a strategy to lobby on issues pertaining to education.