"Roots & Shoots" Partnership for First Nations announced by AFN and youth action program
AFN press release
AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine and Dr. Jane Goodall Announce "Roots & Shoots" Partnership for First Nations
OTTAWA, April 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine and renowned primatologist, environmentalist, and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall today announced a partnership to bring the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots global youth action program to First Nations communities across Canada.
"Roots & Shoots is a program aimed at getting young people involved in developing their own projects to improve the environment, gain a greater understanding of their culture, and improve the lives of the people in their communities," National Chief Fontaine said. "When I first heard about the program it struck me as a perfect fit for First Nations. More than half our people are under the age of 25, and they are a tremendous source of energy, innovation and ideas."
"I am delighted that young people in First Nations communities in Canada will have the opportunity to take part in Roots & Shoots and become connected with other young people around the world who are facing similar challenges,"
said Dr. Goodall during a rare visit to Ottawa. "Wherever I travel I meet young people who feel helpless about the future of the planet and what we are doing to ourselves and our communities. The Roots & Shoots program empowers them and gives them hope. It is inspired by the idea that every individual makes a difference, every day."
Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute's environmental and humanitarian education program and a global network of young people working for positive change in their communities and beyond. The program provides young people with the training and tools to take positive action in their communities and see results. Since the founding of Roots & Shoots in Tanzania in 1991, more than 100,000 youth in almost 100 countries have been part of the program. The program was launched in Canada in 1997, and there are more than 260 groups active in the country today.
The partnership with the AFN announced today stems from a meeting with the National Chief, Dr. Keith Martin, MP (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) and senior officials from Roots & Shoots last fall. "The Roots and Shoots Program will enable First Nations children to explore, build, and share initiatives that will benefit the communities they live in. This will build self-confidence and enable them to share their culture, language, and projects with youth from around the world", said Dr. Martin.
The Assembly of First Nations will work with the Jane Goodall Institute to promote awareness and understanding of the program among First Nations, with a focus on First Nations youth. There are already two First Nations in Canada involved in Roots & Shoots, Beecher Bay First Nation and T'sou'ke, both in BC. The AFN and the Jane Goodall Institute will work to expand the program to other interested First Nation communities.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
The Jane Goodall Institute is a global non-profit organization that supports wildlife research, conservation and education. For more information on the Institute and Roots & Shoots, please visit www.janegoodall.ca
-30-
/For further information: Don Kelly, A/Communications Director, Assembly of First Nations, (613) 241-6789 ext. 334, cell: (613) 292-2787, dkelly@afn.ca; Gina Cosentino, Government Relations and International Affairs, Assembly of First Nations, (613) 241-6789 ext. 356, gcosentino@afn.ca; Jane Lawton, Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, (416) 476-6584, j.lawton@janegoodall.ca/
++++++
Goodall youth program goes to aboriginal communities
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA - The Jane Goodall Institute and the Assembly of First Nations are teaming up to introduce a global youth program to aboriginal communities across Canada.
The institute's Roots and Shoots program aims to get young people involved in developing projects to improve the environment, gain greater understanding of their cultures and improve life in their communities.
The program, already underway in aboriginal communities on Vancouver Island, provides young people with the training and tools necessary to undertake projects - such as community gardens - that promote care and concern for animals, the environment and their communities.
The 18-year-old Roots and Shoots program involves more than 8,000 groups in almost 100 countries.
Goodall, in Ottawa for the announcement, says the program empowers youth and gives them hope by involving them in good works and instilling in them the idea that every individual can make a difference every day.
The chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, says more than half of Canadian aboriginals are under the age of 25 and they represent "a tremendous source of energy, innovation and ideas."