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November 2009
EPC Votes to Deliver Improved Civic Services to Aboriginal Youth
Phase 2 to include continued funding for Aboriginal employment and employment development
November 18, 2009
Committed to providing opportunities for Winnipeg’s Aboriginal youth to reach their full potential, Executive Policy Committee voted unanimously to pass Phase 2 of the Aboriginal Youth Strategy (AYS) - Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak – Young Aboriginal People Leading report. These initiatives focus on developing the City’s Aboriginal workforce, ensure the delivery of Civic programs and services that meet the specific needs of Aboriginal Youth, and ensure ongoing funding of Aboriginal community-based projects – focused on employment and employment development – continue on an annual basis.
“Winnipeg’s Aboriginal youth are tomorrow’s leaders and the success of the Aboriginal community is key to the success of our entire city,” said Mayor Sam Katz, Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Affairs. “I am proud we are developing programs and services to ensure we are offering more employment and training and striving for a city workforce much more representative of our diverse population.”
In 2007, Council directed that an Aboriginal Youth Strategy be developed to guide the City's urban Aboriginal agenda during the current term of Council, 2006 to 2010, and was developed and approved by Council in 2008. Phase 1 of the AYS included the provision of external funding support for Aboriginal community-driven youth initiatives. As the first year of Phase 1 concludes, community based organizations achieved the following successes:
- 202 Aboriginal youth have participated in positive recreation, cultural and employment development activities to date:
- 74% of the Aboriginal Youth participants have completed training;
- 41% of the Aboriginal Youth participants have obtained employment; and
- 36% of the Aboriginal Youth participants have gone on to further their education
The proposed initiatives would not require budget adjustments and would be funded by the 2009 Aboriginal Youth Strategy $1 million adopted budget, the 2010 – 2012 projected Aboriginal Youth Strategy tax-supported budget of $1 million per year, and with operating funds proposed within City departments.
The final report from of the Aboriginal Youth Strategy - Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak – Young Aboriginal People Leading will be considered by Council Wednesday, November 25th, 2009.