5th Annual Aboriginal Youth Conference

About Youth Conference

First Nations Training & Consulting Services organized the 4th Annual Aboriginal Youth, Violence & Changing Times Training Conference: “Empowering Our Youth Through Effective Decision Making”, held at the Best Western Richmond Hotel and Convention Centre, 7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond (Vancouver) BC from March 10 - 12, 2006. The conference was an overwhelming success with almost 200 youth and adult delegates attending.

Delegates:
Delegates and conference participants came from across Canada, including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories. Delegates also registered from the Puyallup Tribe of Tacoma, WA. Several large groups of 10 or more delegates attended from BC, Yukon and Northwest Territories. The delegates travelling the farthest came from Paulatuk, NWT and Iqaluit in Nunavut.

Background:
The first Aboriginal Youth, Violence & Challenging Times Conference was held in March, 2003 in Vancouver in response to delegates at the 3rd Annual National Aboriginal Women In Leadership Training Conference of 2002. Many delegates at the Aboriginal Women In Leadership Training Conference saw the problems facing youth today as a major challenge for First Nations communities. They shared that they saw youth in their communities becoming more violent, joining gangs, living in abusive homes, suffering from low self-esteem and confidence and lacking the necessary skills to survive in today's world. The delegates suggested that a conference for youth and youth workers could increase awareness of the root cause that lead to crime, violence and social problems among Aboriginal young people and help to prevent a continued escalation of problems among our youth.

The Aboriginal Youth Conferences commenced March 2003. Last year's conference had many highlights. The honourable mentions are as follows:

The highlights of 2006 Youth Conference included the youth being transported to a Indoor Rock-Climbing Venue to learn about Self-Esteem and Overcoming Fear and Learning Basic Rock Climbing Skills! The youth really had a great experience. The other popular field trip was the Reality Check Tour, which is a guided tour of the Downtown Eastside streets of Vancouver, also known as "Skid Row". The youth shared their experiences as life-changing, inspiring and fun.

Honourable mentions of the 2006 Youth Conference include: Keynote Speaker, Dr. Richard Littlebear of Chief Dull Knife College, in Lame Deer Montana. Dr. Littlebear is fluent in reading and writing in his traditional language and holds a Doctorate Degree from Boston University. Dr. Littlebear's mission is to assist the people in revitalizing language and culture throughout the U.S. When talking to youth he speaks of why our youth seek out urban gangs to give them a sense of identity and belonging. His Keynote Speaking offered a new perspective to all youth and adults about Gang Culture.

The Banquet Entertainment at the 2006 Youth Conference included the BC based Hip Hop Group called 7th Generation performing! 7th Generation is a native hip hop group comprised of 3 young men ages 26 to 34 years. Kasp grew up on the streets of East Hastings in Vancouver, while Nikon grew up on the Gitsxan Reserve and Combz grew up in Kamloops BC. They have been honoured with 2001 EDDY Award, 2002 Innovative New Media Award, and selected as a finalist for the 2002 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award. They are being recognized nation wide and their music and acting talents are showing up everywhere! We were priviledged to have them be a part of the youth conference. The youth loved the group!

2007 Youth Conference:
Be sure to join us this year! We will offer more great entertainment, motivating and inspirational workshops & speakers, and traditional teachings! You will also meet other amazing youth from across Canada. Most importantly, you are sure to enjoy yourself at this year's 2007 Youth Conference on Vancouver Island!

Background About The Youth Conference Logo:
The logo was designed specifically for the conference by Adrian Sampare, a 30 year old member of the Gitxsan First Nation from Hazleton, BC. The logo signifies what children and youth require in order to be successful in life. The mother wolf in the forefront represents the first and most important provider of nourishment and nurturing to the wolf pup. The father wolf supports the mother as well as the young wolf pup and the eagle in flight provides the entire family with direction, insight and courage for the future. The four directions are represented by the four points around the outer edge. The colour grey suggests that it is not always a black and white decision which direction to take. Adrian began his Native Art Studies in Grade 2. Over the years he has combined traditional styles with contemporary ideas and continues to teach himself and refine his skills as an artist. Adrian lives in Victoria, BC with his partner Casey and their 4 year old son, Andrew.

FNTCS Contact Information
First Nations Training & Consulting Services
Mail Address: PO BOX 5000, SAANICHTON BC, V8M 2C5
Courier Address: 1164 Stelly's Cross Road, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1H8
Phone: (250) 652-7097
Fax: (250) 652-7039
Email: fntcs@telus.net

5th Annual Aboriginal Youth, Violence, & Changing Times Training Conference