Events
December, 2007
Nisga’a and New Aiyansh Youth Take Control of Their Destinies
From December 8th to 10th, 2007, the Nisga’a Youth Advisory Council and New Aiyansh Youth Council convened to develop a strategic plan that will guide them into a new direction. Wishing to move beyond activity and recreation planning, the young leaders of these two Nisga’a communities, located in the Nass Valley, are seizing the opportunity that will hopefully lead to a leadership role in their community, their nation, and ultimately, all levels of the Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG).
“The youth will take their rightful place as national leaders,” says Kevin McKay, Chairperson of the Nisga’a Lisims Government, “the youth of our Nation should not be looked at as an expense, but rather an investment.”
The National Centre for First Nations Governance assisted in the strategic planning by facilitating sessions using methods such as Collective Mind Map, World Café and Interview Matrix. These methods allowed for all participants to be offered the opportunity to express their ideas and have meaningful input into the plan. Two major priorities were identified: increasing awareness and involvement as well as building capacity to carry out the mandate of the Council.
The sessions were specifically designed to highlight the potential in all of the participants of the sessions, by doing the Interview Matrix technique, a one-on-one session allows for those who may not normally voice their opinion to do just that.
“Thank you for coming to our little corner of the world,” says NLG Youth Organizing Youth Coordinator, Paul Mercer, “You left an impression on a couple of our youth…not many presenters make that kind of connection in such a short period of time.”
The NCFNG is committed to working with the Nisga’a Youth to assist them achieving their objectives.
“Our team [consisting of Brenna Latimer, Pawa Haiyupis and Geraldine King] was excited to connect with Nisga’a Youth and help them plan for their ongoing involvement with the Nisga’a Lisims Government,” says NCFNG Youth Engagement Officer, Brenna Latimer, “we will certainly keep in touch with this community to learn of their progress towards implementing their strategic vision.”
The Centre recognizes youth engagement as an integral component to attaining effective self-governance. Ultimately, the youth will be the ones to carry on the prosperous legacies of First Nation communities.
