MONTRÉAL, May 12, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The members of the Montréal Youth Council (Conseil jeunesse de Montréal) are proud to announce, in collaboration with Native Montréal, the release of their new policy paper on the reality of Aboriginal youth living in Montréal this evening at the Ashukan Cultural Center. Native Montréal and the Montréal Youth Council collaborated on a year-long study detailing the conditions experienced by Aboriginal young people living in Montréal in order to ensure the implementation of services better suited to the needs of this population. Before an audience of health, social service, and education professionals, elected officials, and representatives of Aboriginal and community organizations, the members of the Youth Council will unveil their new policy paper exploring the different issues and possible solutions regarding the integration of Aboriginal youth in Montréal.
"The objective of this study was to provide an accurate picture of this reality in order to determine possible avenues for solutions. It permitted us to confirm the necessity of additional efforts to improve the situation of Aboriginal youth residing in Montréal. Aboriginal youth are generally underrepresented in the city's administration, a situation that cannot be allowed to persist. It is vital that the City pay close attention to this issue in future action plans, strategic planning, and all other similar documents", insists François Marquette, president of the Montréal Youth Council.
"We are delighted to see the efforts made by the Montréal Youth Council with this new initiative to ensure Montréal is a welcoming city for Aboriginal youth. The recommendations made in this policy paper provide a starting point for the development of a new relationship between the City of Montréal and First Nations that offers hope for future generations", adds Native Montréal's president, Mme Jennifer Brazeau.
"I would like to congratulate the Youth Council which has successfully depicted in this policy paper the experience of many young Aboriginals in Montréal. The recommendations formulated by the Youth Council are aimed at encouraging mutual acceptance and a sense of shared community in our city, an objective shared by the City of Montréal. They will be thoroughly analyzed and I am personally committed to ensuring their message is heard, and the recommendations taken into account", stated Mr. Harout Chitilian, the vice-chair of the City of Montréal's executive committee and member responsible for administrative reform, youth, smart city initiatives and information technology.
The recommendations
The policy paper explores the different obstacles to the integration of Aboriginal young people and presents the levers, tools and policies currently in place to foster their participation in various aspects of Montréal life. The paper concludes with 19 recommendations concerning the following topics:
- Arrival and Daily Life in Montréal;
- Health and Social Services;
- Education, Employment and Training;
- Community Belonging and the Fight Against Exclusion;
- Arts, Culture and Cultural Reappropriation.
Who are we?
The Montréal Youth Council (Conseil jeunesse de Montréal) is mandated to advise the Mayor and the Executive Committee on issues affecting Montréal youth (between the ages of 12 and 30 years of age) and is responsible for ensuring that youth concerns are taken into consideration in decisions made by the city administration. For more information on the nomination of council members, our initiatives and activities, visit our website at www.cjmtl.com.
Native Montréal is a Native friendship center whose mission is to contribute to the holistic health, cultural strength and success of Aboriginal families, individuals and community in Montréal.
SOURCE Conseil jeunesse de Montréal
Source: City Council Chair's Office, Marie-Eve Bonneau, Assistant to the Council Chair, 514-872-6276, [email protected]; For information: Montréal Youth Council, Geneviève Coulombe, Coordinator, 514-872-4801, [email protected]; Facebook: /cjmtl, Twitter: @cjmtl, Instagram: @conseiljmtl
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