Minister Carolyn Bennett Appoints Three Independent Indigenous Youth Advisors

OTTAWA, Aug. 31, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the voices of Indigenous youth from coast to coast to coast are heard and incorporated into the decision making process.

To that end, Minister Carolyn Bennett has appointed three independent youth advisors; Maatalii Okalik, Gabrielle Fayant, and André Bear. Mandated to seek the inclusion of the voices of Inuit, Métis and First Nations youth, the three advisors will gather insight throughout the fall of 2017, and will share their views and solutions on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 66.

All Indigenous youth are encouraged to participate by giving their feedback through  the Indigenous Youth Voices survey online, or follow them on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram, visit their website or contact them for more information. This is an opportunity for youth to start and be part of the conversation. Indigenous Youth Voices also seek Indigenous youth literature which may be in the form of reports, strategies or any published information to support the report.

Quotes

"I am so proud that these three inspiring young leaders have agreed to design and execute a process to seek advice and knowledge from their peers, from coast to coast to coast, ‎in response to Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #66. I know they will be asking tough questions, listening, and will provide concrete recommendations on how to build and fund a network of Indigenous youth and ‎community-based youth organizations, that will be able to deliver programs on reconciliation while sharing information, wisdom, and promising practices.  André, Maatalii, and Gabrielle are truly impressive advocates and role-models for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth. Their work will be transformative."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown- Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

"As Independent advisors who do not represent the crown and are not representatives of our nations, we are eager to gain direction from First Nation, Inuit and Métis youth and Indigenous organizations to amplify their voices and build a national platform from their vision. We honour those who contributed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and accept the task to table a report and recommendations on how Indigenous youth want Call to Action 66 implemented in their communities."

Maatalii, Gabrielle & André
Indigenous Youth Voices
Founders of Indigenous Youth Voices - First Nations, Inuit & Métis Network
Advisors to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

Related Products

http://www.indigenousyouthvoices.com/
http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

media may contact: Thea Belanger, Indigenous Youth Voices, [phone] x 101, [email protected], TW | @Indigyouthvoice, FB | IndigYouthVoices; Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160