Kocihta Appoints Wab Kinew to Board of Directors

SASKATOON, Jan. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Kocihta is pleased to announce the appointment of Wab Kinew to its Board of Directors.

"Wab Kinew is a exemplary citizen of Canada and member of the Indigenous community who leads by example," said Charles S. Coffey, O.C., chair of Kocihta's Board of Directors. "Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians respect Wab and his efforts to pursue his dreams and engage with people and issues on a national and international level. We are honoured to have him on our board, as he has a passion to make a positive influence in the lives of Indigenous youth across Canada, says Coffey."  

"It is my pleasure and intention to help grow the work of Kocihta – a new national charity devoted to helping Indigenous youth reach their career potential, said Wab Kinew.  "50 per cent of the Indigenous youth in Canada, by no choice or fault of their own, are living in poverty – some in third-world conditions. This socio-economic crisis presents barriers to their education and employment, and their overall physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness, and I want to help Kocihta change these statistics", says Kinew. "I encourage all Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians and businesses to reach out and give a hand up to our youth through Kocihta – not a hand out."

Born in Kenora, and raised in the Onigaming First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, Wab moved to Winnipeg for school. It's there he began a broadcasting career with the local CBC station on news and cultural programs. Today, Kinew is an Indigenous ambassador and leader in Canada – serving as the interim associate vice-president for Indigenous relations at the University of Winnipeg, a national influencer, and an award-winning journalist. Wab's bio.

Wab will join the following leaders on the Kocihta Board of Directors: Charles S. Coffey, O.C., Retired VP, RBC (Chair), Anne Noonan, (Vice-Chair), Senator Lillian Dyck (Member), Stephanie Sterling, Shell Canada (Member). To learn more about Kocihta, or to donate to its cause, visit kocihta.ca.

The Aboriginal Human Resource Council launched Kocihta in October 2013 to help build Canada's fastest growing, youngest and largest under-leveraged asset of Indigenous youth into a larger, more confident, and connected group with skills and passions that are better matched to opportunities in the workforce.

SOURCE Aboriginal Human Resource Council

Peggy Berndt, National Director, Programs & Partnerships, Kocihta, p: 604.598.2569, c: 778.995.5053, e: [email protected]