Hundreds of First Nations youth from across Canada gathered November 1, 2007 in Winnipeg to complete a draft five-year action plan called: The Rebuilding Our Nations Youth Accord. The Accord will set out specific actions to address health, cultural, economic, political and social issues. A draft of the Accord was presented to AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine and Assembly of Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans.
Some of highlights in the Accord are:
- Mandatory First Nation history curriculum in the public education system and a requirement for all teachers to take mandatory courses in First Nations history;
- Recognize First Nations languages as official languages of Canada;
- Mobilize First Nations youth in voting campaigns;
- Establish a First Nations History Month;
- Establish First Nations youth governance systems including regular youth gatherings;
- Increase funding to First Nations schools and addressing the crisis in post-secondary funding;
- Create healing circles to address intergenerational impacts;
- Create environmentally friendly enterprises more aligned with First Nations values;
- Strengthen the child welfare system including better support to families as a first measure
The Accord will be presented to the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly, December 11 – 13, 2007 in Ottawa, Ontario.
Click here to see the full press release on the Assembly of First Nations website.
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