5th Annual Aboriginal Youth Conference

CONFERENCE GUIDELINES
Code of Conduct For Youth
1. Respect yourselves, others and the hotel
2. Be willing to learn from others.
3. Be on time for the plenary sessions and workshops
4. Show respect for speakers when they are talking-listen.
5. Make new friends and have fun!

Role of Chaperones (one Chaperone for every 3 youth)
1. To assist youth in choosing appropriate workshops and to remain in workshop until break or workshop is over.
2. We recommend that Chaperones attend Pre-Conference Chaperone Meeting for new information and updates about the conference.
3 . To be good role models.
4 . To debrief with youth as required.
5 . To be responsible for the youth’s health and safety at all times.

Photographs/Video
One of our staff/volunteers will be going around taking photographs and video of the plenary sessions, workshops and entertainment. These will be used for the final reports to our funders and to potential funders for the 6th Annual Aboriginal Youth, Violence & Changing Times Conference. After the conference, they will also put on our website for all of you to view. If you do not wish to be photographed please let us know.

Smoking
Smoking is permitted in designated smoking guest rooms only. Smoking is also permitted outside.

*Age Requirement For The Conference
This conference is geared toward youth ages 14 years & up. Due to the sensitive nature of the topics discussed at the conference we require youth to be at least 14 years of age. If you have further questions please call the office for more information (250) 652-7097.

Disclaimer
First Nations Training & Consulting Services will not accept any responsibility or liability for minor youth. It is the responsibility of the Chaperone's and home organization to ensure that Parent/Guardians have signed a written Parental Permission Slip giving their youth permission to attend the conference.

NEWS!

Trade & Bartering Fair: Delegates who bring an item from their territory to barter with another participant are asked to bring their item to the Trade & Bartering Fair by 3:30 p.m. to the Saanich Room. Please be prepared to explain to participants what you have brought, how it was made and what it represents to you, your Nation and/or our people. We encourage you to barter with another Nation and promote Nation to Nation relationships.
    Trade & Bartering Fair
    Date: Saturday March 15, 2008
    Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Location: Saanich Room

Walking & Jogging In Victoria: Want to see Victoria harbour? Come and get some morning fresh air and go for 30 minute walk/jog with Bernice Henry. Wear good walking shoes and warm clothing. The walk/jog will take place whether it is sun shining or raining. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing. Bernice Henry is a mother of two children and is from the Tsartlip First Nation, located on the Saanich Peninsula, Victoria area. She started running at the age of 11 years with her mother and late father-in preparation for canoe races. She has also participated in Cross Country races with her two older brothers. Bernice entered her first triathlon in 2001 in the "Triathlon for Healing" Event. She is a soccer player, a triathlete (a swim, bike and run event) and a duathlete (a run and bike event). Bernice has participated in 9 marathons, 12 triathlons, and 4 duathlons.

Meet in the lobby of the hotel on the following days:
Saturday March 15, 2008" 7:30 am
Sunday March 16, 2008: 7:30 am

Delegates Attending: Delegates attending the conference are coming from all across Canada! We have delegates from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nunavut, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and so many more from British Columbia!

Hearts At Work is at the Youth Conference this year!

Their goal is is to allow all British Columbians to "know their numbers", and to help provide them with the resources to enable them to take a more proactive role in their own health.

Participants are required to have their glucose and blood pressure screened for this particular workshop at the Trade Show location prior to attending the Healthy Hearts Workshop it is important to attend the prior-screening at the Trade Show location in the morning between 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday March 14, 2008.

    Follow-Up Workshop: The Healthy Hearts Workshop
    Date: Friday March 14, 2008
    Time: 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
    Room: Victoria RoomWho is Hearts At Work:

Hearts@work has evolved into an enormously successful Cardio vascular Disease risk reduction program that now operates across the province. It has educated and screened over 20,000 British Columbians, and has positively impacted heart health in BC at all levels of society. In 2005, hearts@work was recognized as a leader in heart health promotion, and was awarded the British Columbia Medical Association "Excellence in Health Promotion Award". What does Hearts At Work look like? Cholesterol and/or Glucose Screening: Participants have their cholesterol and/or glucose tested. Control BP: The clients have their blood pressure measured, and learn the relationship between high blood pressure and Cardiovascular Disease.Be Active: Clients have their Body Mass Index, waist circumference and target heart rate assessed by the attending professional, and learn safe ways to increase their daily activity.

Did You Know: Quick Facts
-Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure. Once diagnosed, it can only be managed in order to prevent or delay serious complications.

-Up to 80% of people with diabetes will eventually die of cardiovascular disease, and more than 40% will develop long-term medical complications requiring additional medical care.

-Diabetes is a leading cause of adult blindness

-People of Aboriginal descent are 3 to 5 times more likely than the general public to have or develop diabetes. Two thirds of Aboriginal people with diabetes are women

Source: Canadian Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_Advocacy/adv_quickfacts.asp

Theatrical Performance: there will be a Theatrical Performance by Victoria High School Students! The students demonstrate how Bullying/Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group that is intended to harm others via text messaging, websites.

The play also features an original song called “Better Days” which was written by Vic High student Chris Jordan and will be performed by Jordan at the end of the performance.

The entire performance is guaranteed to leave an impact on youth.

Date: Sunday March 16, 2008
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m

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2008 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

7th GENERATION

7th Generation is a native hip hop group comprised of 2 hip hop artists.

Producer, DJ Combz, age 26 grew up on the Kamloops Indian Reserve where he saw the daily effects of poverty, drug related deaths and teen suicide. He moved to Vancouver where he evidently fell into pushing drugs. However, after seeing his friends and family deteriorate from the substances, he vowed to distance himself from that lifestyle. He began working on beats, scratching and dj'ing at local nightclubs before enrolling into the Centre of Digital Sound where he studied the business of music and music production. He now runs his own studio and is raising his first son in a drug and alcohol free environment.Kasp, age 26 grew up on the streets of East Hastings in Vancouver where he witnessed violence, drugs, gangs and prostitution. He lived in poverty and abuse before he was taken from a father who dealt drugs and prostitutes.

He began writing music at a young age to release his anger. He managed to leave the city and moved to a small town where he eventually completed his grade 12, helped start the city's first rap crew, and then on to certify himself to work with high-risk and special needs youth. He has maintained complete sobriety for the past five years.Together 7th Generation has provided workshops and live performances to youth throughout Canada and the United States for the past 5 years.

Their music shares their life experiences and how they maintained a positive lifestyle through their lyrics. Their words contain information that does not glamorize street or gang life in any shape or form. They speak of pride for their people and incorporate some traditional teachings; they touch on topics such as teen suicide, and have recently released a song specifically addressing tobacco misuse. Although the group touches on some major issues and topics, they are a highly energized crew that loves to get crowd participation by having kids come on stage to dance or share their own lyrical talents.

7th Generation is the recipient of the 2001 EDDY Award for Social Change, nominee for the 2002 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, recipient of the 2002 BC Media Arts Award and two time winner of the 2004/2005 Scorpion Music Award for "Best Hip Hop group in the Okanagan." They have released three CD's to date and have performed all over Canada and the United States.

P.A.R.T.Y. Program

Hanging out with friends, socializing, drinking, drugs, dancing, eating, fighting, sex, vomiting~sounds like a party?

P.A.R.T.Y. is an acronym, which stands for "Preventing Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth". The PARTY Program wants youth to make "their good times last" by showing them how to make smart choices in their lives. The P.A.R.T.Y. Program is a field trip to the Victoria General Hospital where youth will attend a lecture from an Emergency Room Doctor; see a crash site; visit a trauma room; hear a brain injury survivor(s) talk about their experiences and visit the morgue. During the field trip, people will see some people who unfortunately made some pretty bad choices and are now living with the consequences. And these are the ones who survived. The stories are related to Trauma Related to Alcohol.

Target Audience: High Risk Youth Aged 14-18, New Drivers, Alcohol & Substance Abusers Who Drive.

P.A.R.T.Y. Program is a very gripping and powerful experience that will never be forgotten. The P.A.R.T.Y. Program is a field trip that isn't to be taken lightly. It is a program designed to shock people into making the right chioces and healthy choices in life, in particular youth.

Click here for the mandatory P.A.R.T.Y. Program Permission Slip.

75 seats only! Permission Slip Required!

Urban Rockclimbing!

Exciting News!
Crag X Indoor Climbing Center will be a part of our conference!

Rockclimbing is fun, exciting and a great way to get in shape.

Be sure to join in the adventure!

Limited seats!

Open since 1995, Crag X has provided Victoria, B.C. with a complete urban climbing experience. Climbing is a modern and fun way to stay in shape and can also lead to some thrilling adventures outside.

IMPORTANT: All youth are required to complete a Waiver Form, prior to participating. All users must read and sign our waiver before climbing. Under 18? You must have one of our waiver forms completed by your parent or legal guardian in order to participate.

For more information about Crag X Indoor Rockclimbing, click the website here: http://www.urbancliffculture.com/

Rockclimbing Waiver Form

Updated: March 12, 2008

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6th Annual Aboriginal Youth, Violence, & Changing Times Training Conference