Media Advisory - First Nations youth to release report urging action to create safer, healthier communities

TORONTO/OTTAWA/THUNDER BAY, ON, Feb. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Ontario's Advocate for Children and Youth will release a report written by First Nations youth that urges all levels of leadership to partner with them to create safer, healthier communities. The report is based on the voices of more than 160 First Nations youth from 64 remote and fly-in First Nations communities across northern Ontario who participated in the Feathers of Hope youth forum in Thunder Bay and Kashechewan last year.

WHAT:		Release of Feathers of Hope: A First Nations Youth Action Plan
WHEN:		Monday, February 24, 2014
WHERE:		TORONTO: Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Committee Room 228 & 230
11:00 a.m.		Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Kathryn Morris and Uko Abara, Youth Amplifiers, report authors Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Canada Hon. Teresa Piruzza, Minister of Children and Youth Services
		OTTAWA: Parliament of Canada
10:30 a.m.		Press conference, Charles Lynch Press Gallery, Room 130-S, Centre Block
11:00 a.m.		Report presentation, Commonwealth Room 238-S, Centre Block Samantha Crowe, youth amplifier, report author Jeff Copenace, Deputy Chief of Staff, Assembly of First Nations Hon. Tom Mulcair, Leader of the New Democrat Party Hon. Carolyn Bennett, MD, Member of Parliament Dr. Marie Wilson, Commissioner, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Canada
11:00 a.m.		THUNDER BAY: Best Western Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre 2080 Highway #61, Amethyst Room Meaghan Masakeyash, Youth Advisor, Feathers of Hope Alvin Fiddler, Deputy Grand Chief, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Erin Corston, Executive Director, Ontario Native Women's Association Catherine Cheechoo, Program Manager, Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth Program, Right to Play

For more information about Feathers of Hope, please visit our website or contact us on Facebook or Twitter.

The Office of the Provincial Advocate reports directly to the Legislature and provides an independent voice for children and youth, including children with special needs and First Nations children. The Provincial Advocate receives and responds to concerns from children and youth who are seeking or receiving services under the Child and Family Services Act and the Education Act (Provincial and Demonstration Schools). The Provincial Advocate identifies systemic problems involving children, conducts reviews and provides education and advice on the issue of advocacy and the rights of children. The Office is guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has a strong commitment to youth involvement.

SOURCE: Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth

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