MEDIA ADVISORY - Feathers of Hope forum: First Nations youth to gather and find solutions to create positive change

Youth will develop plans to create healthy, vibrant communities

THUNDER BAY, ON, March 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Youth delegates from 91 First Nations communities in Northern Ontario will gather next week at the Feathers of Hope forum to address the complex issues youth face in their communities, including health, education, culture, identity and suicide. The forum will run from March 24^th to 28^th in Thunder Bay. On the final day of the forum, the delegates will present their recommendations to create healthy, vibrant communities to First Nations, government and community leaders and others responsible for their care.

The forum is being hosted by the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in partnership with the Inter-Governmental Network (IGN), federal and provincial levels of government, and the Nishnawbe-Aski-Nation (NAN).  Youth delegates from urban and remote communities will share their lived experiences and ideas to help create action plans to take back to their home communities. The forum provides a safe space for young people to learn about their rights and share their experiences with one another. The forum builds on the work started with Horizons of Hope, an event held 17 years ago to address the hopelessness and youth suicide in NAN communities, and addresses the lack of timely and comprehensive action since then.

What:	Feathers of Hope Forum Opening Ceremony
Who:	Youth from 91 First Nations communities in Northern Ontario
	Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth
	Representation from First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal leadership
	Keynote speaker: Stan Wesley, Feathers of Hope moderator and original member of Horizons of Hope
When:	Monday, March 25^th, 2013
	9:00 a.m.	Opening prayer
	9:15 a.m.	Drum circle
	9:30 a.m.	Opening remarks: Amplifiers (youth staff from the Advocate's office)
	9:45 a.m.	Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth
	10:00 a.m.	Keynote presentation, Stan Wesley, Feathers of Hope moderator and original member of Horizons of Hope
Where:	Best Western Nor'Wester Hotel and Conference Centre, 2080 Highway #61, Thunder Bay, Ontario

SOURCE: Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth

For more information or to speak to one of the youth organizers, please contact: 

Fiona Taylor
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.provincialadvocate.on.ca