August 12, 2020 – Yukon Youth Organizations are excited to share their partnership with the Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF) Initiative.
The project is a five-year initiative and is a collaboration, between the Tamarack Institute, Economic and Social Development of Canada and local youth organizations. The Yukon is one of 13 communities, across Canada, to be part of a national discussion; and, funding is being provided to engage and co-develop system-wide solutions for supporting underrepresented youth, as they build and act upon plans for their future. The main goal is to break down barriers and provide opportunities for youth to engage in their communities, especially in the areas of education and employment.
Currently, the Yukon Youth Partnership Table is made up of representatives from the following organizations: ● BYTE: Empowering Youth Society
● Boys and Girls Club of Yukon
● Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office
● Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Youth Advisory to Council
● Youth of Today Society
● Multicultural Centre of Yukon
● Skookum Jim Friendship Centre
● Youth Achievement Centre, Yukon Government
● Yukon First Nation Education Directorate
“This is an opportunity for young people to have a real impact on what it means to grow up in the Yukon. We have numerous organizations who not only want to hear what youth have to say but they also want to partner to implement their ideas”, states Annette King, Yukon’s Child and Youth Advocate.
Kwanlin Dün First NationActing Chief Jessie Dawson also acknowledges there has not always been an opportunity for youth to provide input into the bigger picture items. “Wherever you look, these days, there is a movement among our youth which cannot be ignored. They just want to be heard”, says Dawson. She adds education, employment, housing, drugs, mental wellness, reconciliation, climate change, recreation are just a few of the issues young people have offered up for conversation.
“Here in the Yukon, youth organizations and community partners have heard those cries. Our youth organizations have joined forces and worked hard to elevate the voice and concerns expressed by our young people. They have built relationships and bridged gaps, between elected leaders and young people. And most importantly, they have come together to form a partnership aimed at addressing these common goals. Their hard work is reflected in this announcement today.”
“I am pleased to see our young people so invested in these discussions and that they are taking the necessary steps together, to find solutions and bring about change”, concludes Dawson.
Today is International Youth Day! The theme of International Youth Day 2020, “Youth Engagement for Global Action” seeks to highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people can exist at all levels in society. Our Yukon Youth Partnership Table of the CBYF initiative affirms our commitment and dedication to meaningfully engage and include youth voices and contributions in this five-year project.
Communities Building Youth Futures is a welcomed addition to our efforts. The information will be of great value locally and will become part of the broader youth voice nationally.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Cornell
Boys & Girls Club of Yukon
867.393.2824 ext. 201
Media Contact:
Annette King
Yukon Child and Youth Advocacy Office
867-456-5575