Community infrastructure projects developed by Manitoba First Nations youth to get support from Indigenous Services Canada

WINNIPEG, TREATY 1 TERRITORY, MB, March 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Engaged and creative youth are a vital part of the health and prosperity of any community. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the voices and ideas of First Nations youth in order to ensure communities truly reflect the people that live there.

Today, Dan Vandal, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface—Saint Vital and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, alongside Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) officials, was pleased to welcome a group of Manitoba First Nations youth back to Winnipeg to pitch the community infrastructure proposals they developed stemming from the first-ever Manitoba First Nations Youth Summit in Winnipeg in October 2018.

These youth have been mentored by ISC engineers, First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy (FNIYES) program officers, as well as staff from the National Screen Institute of Canada (NSI) and First People's Development Inc. (FPDI) in order to further develop their project proposals and to hone their pitching and multimedia skills.

Today the youth pitched their proposals to a panel consisting of ISC directors and engineers, FPDI staff, as well as an NSI staff member. The panel concluded that a total of $4 million for projects in these eight communities will be awarded.

This investment includes building the community infrastructure projects within the next fiscal year, in addition to providing the participating youth with support for further training and education.

Quotes

"Helping First Nations build healthy communities is a priority for our government and involves leadership from everyone, including youth, elders, and Chiefs and Councils. I congratulate all of the youth for participating in the first-ever Manitoba First Nations Youth Summit and for taking the opportunity to improve your home communities. Your dedication and efforts are to be admired."

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"It is tremendous to see Indigenous youth taking such a leading role in the development of solutions for issues facing their own communities. Their work is to be commended, and I am eager to see the results of these wonderful projects. Congratulations to everyone involved."

Dan Vandal, M.P.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick Facts

• The Manitoba First Nations Youth Summit took place in Winnipeg from October 26-27, 2018, and ISC contributed $624,994 to FPDI to host it.
• Youth from 51 First Nations across Manitoba took part in this unprecedented summit, learning the importance and impact of infrastructure projects and community planning, and how to draft infrastructure project proposals.
• In February, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) received project proposals written by youth from eight participating communities: Sayisi Dene, Wasagamack, Ebb and Flow, Waywayseecappo, Skownan, Dakota Tipi, Nisichawayasihk and Keeseekoowenin. Their proposals included youth centres, outdoor ice rinks, rehabilitation facilities and community housing.

Associated Links

First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

For further information: Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-934-2796; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [e-mail]