Kelowna, B.C. –A First Nation youth leadership group from the Penticton Indian Band was presented with a steersman paddle to speed them on their journey to a promising career and honour their leadership, in a small ceremony during GATHERING OUR VOICES 2009. The paddle was presented by the Conservation and Protection (C&P) Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Gathering Our Voices is an annual youth conference hosted by the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. This gathering brings together almost 1,000 young people, aged 14 to 24, to explore traditional language, culture, youth leadership initiatives and employment opportunities, both in the public and private sectors.
This year, along with promoting careers in the Public Service, the DFO Conservation and Protection Branch, along with other sectors within DFO, are supporting the participation of members of the Kwu Sukwna’qinx Canoe Family, and honouring the youngsters’commitment to community leadership. The group, from the Penticton Indian Band, was created by youth for youth in the hopes of empowering and inspiring other young First Nations people to tackle challenges and overcome significant personal obstacles.
Forging strong relations with First Nations is a priority of the federal government. Fisheries and Oceans Canada participates in initiatives like the Dreamcatchers conferences and Pulling Together canoe journeys to connect the Department directly with Aboriginal youth and communities and help to break down barriers, foster better understanding, and establish closer collaborative relationships.
“These young people are quite extraordinary and deserve our support,”explains Jim Michie, a DFO Fishery Officer, who spearheads the Department’s ongoing commitment to relationship building with First Nations in British Columbia. “The first year they participated in Pulling Together they were the largest youth group without a canoe. They raised funds and now have their first canoe, so the presentation of the paddle from our canoe, Sturgeon Warrior, to theirs honours their slogan: Impossible is Nothing.”
Conservation and Protection Branch currently has six First Nation Fishery Officers working around the province, and actively recruit within these communities (details at: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/officer-agent/).
