It's time to shine the light on the diversity of Aboriginal people and our allies doing GOOD things to support Aboriginal Youth healthy, employment and education experiences.
Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective Interview with Sashia Leung
by Elizabeth Alexander, AYM Team Writer
When I attended the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective in Chase, BC, I met Sashia Leung from the Wit’suwet’en Nation and I thought that she looked like an awesome individual to know more about, so I had an interview with her and found out that she is a very successful role model for other youth. After the interview and throughout the rest of the conference she proved to be very caring and really nice. She was the first person I added to my Facebook when I got home and I will definitely be keeping in contact with her!
These are the questions she answered during our interview:
Elizabeth: How did you find out about the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective?
Sashia: I knew of the individual organizations that made up the collective before, but I first found out about the UAYC in the beginning of my internship, they gave a great presentation to our cohort.
Elizabeth: Why did you choose to attend?
Sashia: I wanted to meet more of our young Aboriginal leaders, hear their voices and thoughts on education and culture, and contribute to the great work that we are doing today. I am also here representing the Aboriginal Education-Enhancement Agreements branch, Ministry of Education. We are doing some really great work with the Enhancement Agreements, but youth voice, perspectives and involvement is greatly needed. There are different collaborative initiatives between Aboriginal communities and the government, and the youth need to become involved and supported for their leadership.
Elizabeth: Who inspires you the most? And why?
Sashia: I am inspired byour Aboriginal youth and elders. I am excited for the possibilities and directions that the youth are taking us in, and our elders are so strong and resilient; we are all survivors and it inspires me everyday be strong and continue the good work.
Elizabeth: What do you think is the best way to get news out to youth and to keep them interested?
Sashia: We need to engage youth. Make news relevant to young people and connect them to the information. Be innovative and get them involved with news, just as you are Elizabeth. It is important to listen to their voices, ideas, and interests and to support their initiatives. Youth connect in many ways: online, instant messaging, at gatherings, etc. Tapping into these communication channels is a great way to get news out to youth and continuing to reach out and engage and support youth will help keep them interested.
Elizabeth: Do you have Facebook? If so, what is your favourite group?
Sashia: Yes I do have Facebook and I have a few favourite groups, all Aboriginal ones that I am joined to, it’s another great way to connect and get news out.
Elizabeth: What is your name, nation, organization/business/school, email, and age?
Sashia: Sashia Leung, Wit’suwet’en Nation- Moricetown BC. Ministry of Education, Student Engagement Coordinator in Aboriginal Education and Internal Communication Partner Relations branches. I am also attending at the University of British Columbia, age 24, and email sashia.leung@gov.bc.ca.
Thank you again, Sashia, and I know we will all see more of you in the future!
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Profile with Harper Campbell
By Lacy Morin-Desjarlais, AYM Team Writer
Nation: Métis and Two-Spirited
Email: haibishonen(at)hotmail.com
Organization: Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Council (UMAYC)
Age: 18
How did you find out about this forum?
I found out through UMAYC.
Why are you here?
Love to be involved, especially to things that connect with people who are passionate and involved in the community.
Who inspires you and why?
My mom because she is involved in the native community and that is inspiring. Reading native literature inspires me.
What is the best way to get news to youth?
A community event that has information about what’s currently going on.
What’s your favorite Facebook group?
Trying to get off Facebook.
Would you like to add anything?
Involvement is a way of life. It is not just for one person it is for everyone when we do and that is how we create a powerful democracy.
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Meet Tawnee Whitford - Volunteer Champion
Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective Volunteer champion
By Lacy Morin-Desjarlais, AYM Team Writer
Success Profile with Tawnee Whitford
Nation: Cree and Métis
Age: 20
Lives in Victoria
Email: tawneewhitford(at)gmail.com
Hi Tawnee! I'm interrupting your busy day to ask you a few questions. What are you doing here? I am volunteering to help with the registration
Why are you here?
To help out and it is a good opportunity to learn about what youth want in their communities. It is a good experience.
Who inspires you and why?
My mother because she taught me everything I know. And she taught me to keep going forward.
What is the best way to get news out to youth?
Having conferences like the UAYC, the Internet, newspapers, and articles.
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Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective Profile with Danny Williamson
By Lacy Morin-Desjarlais, AYM Team writer
Nation: Métis
Organization: The Boundary Local Métis Association, Boundary All Nations Aboriginal Council (BANAC)
Email: dgw_27(at)hotmail.com
How did you find out about this forum?
Through someone at the Boundary Local Métis Association.
Why are you here?
I brought my daughter who is the Métis Youth Representative in Grandforks. I am also interested in what youth have to say, and I think they should have a voice. In the last five years I have noticed youth coming together like never before. Our future leaders should have a say how they want it to be.
Who inspires you and why?
My children and elders in my community, I like to listen to their stories. Youth come together without any bias; Métis and all nations, which is something that we (adults & Elders) need to do. The more people come together the better. Youth don’t hold stubborn attitudes and prejudices; the youth are going to make it happen.
Anything else you would like to add?
I hope to bring my leadership and guidance to help youth. Big concerns of mine are that a large percent of those incarcerated are Aboriginal and Métis and that 52% of Aboriginal youth and children are in care. There is something wrong with our system if the numbers are that high. We must give youth a voice. It doesn’t matter how low you go, you can always come up and be a leader.
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Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective Profile with Archibald
By Lacy Morin-Desjarlais
Nation: Tla-o-qui-aht
Organization: Provincial Aboriginal Youth Council (PAYC)
Lives in Port Alberni
Age: 21
Email: batman_4_2_0(at)hotmail.com
How did you hear about this forum?
From my friend
Why are you here?
To help make a change for our people, to bring information back home, and to tell my youth about it.
Who inspires you and why?
My most inspiration is from my nieces and nephews because they always put a smile on my face and they keep me going day to day. I help them grow-up and they help teach me as well. When they laugh I laugh and laughter is the best medicine for the heart.
What is the best way to get news to youth?
At school, flyers around town, Bebo/Facebook, and spreading the word yourself.
Would you like to add anything else?
I really enjoyed the conference...thank you for the interview it might make me famous.
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Bio's of these RedWAY Writers
A big 'thanks' from the Kristin of Spiritlink Communications (RedWAY's editor and publisher) to these wonderful women for always getting their insightful articles by every deadline. You two show just how hard Yout's can work to share good news - LOL!
Biography for Lacy Morin-Desjarlais
Lacy is 23 and is Saulteaux & Metis. She was born in Saskatchewan but she moved to the Lower Mainland at a young age, and now considers it her home. Lacy has a Diploma from the Langara Fine Arts Career Program and has a passion for her art work. Lacy is also an active member of many youth organizations; she grew up in government care and from that experience has a desire to contribute towards the betterment of her community. Her artwork and volunteering keeps her busy and she is always looking for opportunities to combine her two passions. Her future plans are to return to school and pursue a Child and Youth Care Worker Degree.
Biography for Elizabeth Alexander
Elizabeth is 22, Interior Salish from Seton Portage BC and Sto:lo from Chilliwack. She has lived in Vancouver since she was 6 years old. She loves reading, writing and uses technology all the time. Her main goals are to continue her education, continue working with RedWAY BC News, and keep learning about her culture.
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