Louis Riel Day – Monday, February 17. View holiday hours for City of Winnipeg facilities and services.

September 2015
- Former OAN participant, Michael Champagne, featured in Time’s Next Generation Leaders series.
- FREE Learning Opportunities at Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre
- Province of Manitoba to implement an Aboriginal Languages Strategy
- YMCA-YWCA Volunteer Opportunity
- Aboriginal Scholarship and Service Award offered to 12 students
- Spirit of Peace Program
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg 100 Mile Dinner
Former OAN participant, Michael Champagne, featured in Time’s Next Generation Leaders series
September 28, 2015

Michael Champagne – founder of Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO!) and former Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak participant – spoke to Time about bringing hope to Canadian Indigenous people.
Check out his interview at Time – Working to Bring Hope to Canadian Indigenous People.
Looking for volunteer opportunities or ways to empower your leadership skills? Learn more about AYO! at ayomovement.com.
FREE Learning Opportunities at Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre
September 29, 2015
Let’s Speak Ojibwe
hosted by Jason Parenteau
This weekly cultural program provides parents, children, and individuals of all ages with a chance to learn the Ojibwe language through fun and engaging classroom sessions.
More information and registration forms can be found at Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre - Let’s Speak Ojibwe.

Download Let's Speak Ojibwe poster
Pow Wow Club
hosted by CoCo (Ray Stevenson) and Rhonda James
This weekly program provides children, youth, and families with an opportunity to learn the art of traditional dancing, along with song and drum teachings. This program is open to all families and individuals regardless of age, knowledge, and ability.
More information and registration forms can be found at Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre – Pow Wow Club.

Let’s Speak Cree
hosted by Grace Shedler
This weekly cultural program provides parents, children, and individuals of all ages with a chance to learn about the Cree language through fun and engaging classroom sessions.
More information and registration forms can be found at Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre – Let’s Speak Cree.

Download Pow Let's Speak Cree poster
Province of Manitoba to implement an Aboriginal Languages Strategy.
September 28, 2015
In response to the recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report, the Province of Manitoba has developed a partnership with educational leaders to preserve Aboriginal languages.
Elders from all seven Aboriginal language groups recognized in Manitoba assisted with the developments of the following goals of the Manitoba Aboriginal Language Strategy:
- develop a system for sharing resources and expertise,
- create a partnership agreement to keep Aboriginal languages alive,
- establish an Indigenous research group focusing on Aboriginal languages,
- develop a communication strategy to promote Aboriginal languages; and
- promote and develop land-based teacher training with the purpose of producing more fluent speakers/teachers.
Find more information on the Province’s original news release at Province of Manitoba - Province Announces Historic Partnership To Protect, Promote Aboriginal Languages.
YMCA-YWCA Volunteer Opportunity
September 25, 2015
Strong Girls, Strong World Winnipeg are seeking council members.
Strong Girls, Strong World Winnipeg (SGSW) is a program dedicated to fostering leadership in young women aged 16-19 residing in Winnipeg. SGSW is interested in supporting those whose voices are often not heard to develop the ability to become self and/or community advocates. As a charitable organization dedicated to the health and well-being of people and communities, the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg is committed to the development of girls in spirit, mind, and body.
Members of the girl council will:
- Discuss intimate partner violence and determine their own forms of activism and social innovation needed in order to combat it
- Receive mentorship and peer to peer support in a safer space environment* in order to achieve their goals
- Learn how to develop and implement their own social innovation projects
- Become familiar with local resources available for young women
Potential candidates should:
- Be interested in fostering and developing their leadership skills
- Have an understanding of women’s rights issues, or an interest in learning about women’s rights issues.
- Have an interest in creating social change
- Commit to meet in the evening every 1 – 2 weeks
Applications can be downloaded at YM-YWCA of Winnipeg – SGSW Application.
Please complete the Strong Girls, Strong World Winnipeg application form by October 21, 2015 and submit it to:
Kara Passey, Strong Girls, Strong World Project Facilitator
YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg
Email: kpassey@ymcaywca.mb.ca
In Person: 301 Vaughan Street
Aboriginal Scholarship and Service Award offered to 12 students
September 23, 2015
In continuing the City of Winnipeg’s commitment to providing positive opportunities for aboriginal youth, the City of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy, Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak (OAN), recently granted 12 students the Aboriginal Scholarship and Service Award. The scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate remarkable academic achievement and strong community leadership. Recipients will be honoured at the annual Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak Celebration in the late fall.
“When I look at these students, I see bright, talented young people who will lead our community in a variety of ways, and who have already enriched our city with their talents and positive role modeling,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “As Mayor, I am pleased that the City of Winnipeg is committed to providing important and positive opportunities for Aboriginal youth to work toward a career in our organization.”
Through this initiative, Aboriginal youth are encouraged to stay in school and pursue an education towards a career with the City of Winnipeg. Examples of careers include law enforcement, firefighting, finance, engineering, and human resources. Students are also provided an option to participate in a paid work placement with the City throughout the summer.
In 2008, City Council adopted the Aboriginal Youth Strategy. Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak (“Young Aboriginal People Leading” in Ojibway) is the spirit name given by Elders in the community, along with the guiding principles of sharing, caring, kindness and truth. The spirit name reminds us all that youth are the leaders of today as well as tomorrow.
View the original article on City of Winnipeg - News Releases
Spirit of Peace Program
September 10, 2015

Download Spirit of Peace Youth Boys Program
Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg 100 Mile Dinner
September 4, 2015

Our community partner, Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, is having their 5th Annual 100 Mile Dinner!
When: | Sunday, September 20, 2015 Doors open at 5:30 p.m. |
Where: | Coboto Centre 1055 Wilkes Avenue |
Come indulge in a 5-course meal made with fresh, locally grown food found within ‘100 miles’ of Winnipeg. These enjoyable plates are made by some of Winnipeg’s most notable chefs. All funds and proceeds will go towards providing free, quality after-school programs to over 4,500 children and youth ages 6-18.
Individual tickets are $125.00 each.
For more information on this event, please visit BGC Winnipeg – 100 Mile Dinner or contact Beth Creed at Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg.