Canada World Youth and the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI offer Aboriginal young people a national dialogue on issues and priorities

MONTREAL, Dec. 9, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Rita S. Karakas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada World Youth (CWY), and Sandra Gaudet, Executive Director of the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI), signed a memorandum of understanding to co-host a national Aboriginal youth symposium, "Aboriginal Youth and Confederation: Learning From the Past & Building For the Future" in Charlottetown, to be held in Prince Edward Island on June 26-28, 2014. The symposium provides Aboriginal young people from across Canada with the opportunity to identify and prioritize their needs, issues and ideas in the context of Confederation and its impacts on Aboriginal people in the past, present and future.

"This symposium will enable Aboriginal youth to identifying specific needs in skill development and educational interests from the various programs offered by CWY over the past 40 years, explains Rita S. Karakas.

According to Sandra Gaudet, "Both of our organizations are committed to supporting the knowledge and skills of Aboriginal youth to play leadership roles in their communities and increase their involvement in the roles and issues that are important to them."

The MOU provides a framework for cooperation by which CWY and MCPEI will work closely to advance the Project and its objectives as follows:

• Provide a forum for Aboriginal young people to share information about the contemporary significance of Confederation.
• Generate ideas for addressing specific challenges facing Aboriginal young people across Canada.
• Create formal and informal networks to assist Aboriginal young people across the country with the development of a 'National Framework'.
  
  
  

About CWY (www.canadaworldyouth.org)

Founded in 1971, CWY is a leader in developing leadership, health and environment oriented international education programs for young people aged 15 to 35. A non-profit organization, Canada World Youth is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people who have a desire to become informed and active global citizens.

CWY is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a charitable organization (118973999RR0001).

About MCPEI (www.mcpei.ca)

The Mi‛kmaq Confederacy of PEI is a not-for-profit Tribal Council and Provincial Territorial Organization. MCPEI builds relationships with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders; conducts research; advises on policy issues; develops and implements collaborative initiatives; and provides direct services and support to First Nations people.

SOURCE: Canada World Youth

For more information, please contact: 

Julie Brouard, Director, Communications, Canada World Youth
514-608-8360, 1-800-605-3526 ext. 310
[email protected]

Lori St. Onge, Director of Aboriginal Justice, Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI
902-367-3681, 902-626-2882 ext. 224
[email protected]