The Centre for Native Policy and Research (CNPR) invites you to attend an urban aboriginal community forum regarding urban aboriginal particpation in policy development.

DATE: Thursday, February 15, 2006

TIME: 2:30pm to 5:30pm

LOCATION: VAFC – Chief Simon Baker Roo 1607 East Hastings Street

The Centre for Native Policy and Research is gathering voices in 7 urban communities across Canada on a national Urban Aboriginal Participation in policy development initiative.

We will provide updates on:
- The main themes from the research;
- Will seek direction on what should be included; and
- Gather input of community members to complete the findings.

This work will provide an understanding of how and when Aboriginal people living in urban locations should be involved in policy development, and on future participation in this area.

For more information: contact: Annita McPhee, 778 229 1264

Filed under: All News

Community Forum: Urban Aboriginal Particpation in Policy Development

The Centre for Native Policy and Research (CNPR) invites you to attend an urban Aboriginal community forum regarding urban Aboriginal particpation in policy development. (*See Attached)

DATE: Thursday, February 15, 2006

TIME: 2:30pm to 5:30pm

LOCATION: VAFC – Chief Simon Baker Room

1607 East Hastings Street

The Centre for Native Policy and Research is gathering voices in 7 urban communities across Canada on a national Urban Aboriginal Participation in policy development initiative.

We will provide updates on:

· The main themes from the research;

· Will seek direction on what should be included; and

· Gather input of community members to complete the findings.

This work will provide an understanding of how and when Aboriginal people living in urban locations should be involved in policy development, and on future participation in this area.

For more information: contact: Annita McPhee, 778 229 1264

Filed under: All News

SafeTeen presents: PoWW training for Aboriginal Youth

“Path of Wise Warriors”

POWW– Path Of Wise Warriors -  An Aboriginal Youth Empowerment Program
 Traditionally First Nation Bands have placed the family at the center of community life and children were seen as gifts from the creator. During contemporary times, past injustices have manifested in a genocidal effect occurring within First Nation communities, particularly in today’s First Nations youth. Aboriginal youth suicide and death rates, youth living below the poverty line, and youth who are unemployed or incarcerated are still significantly higher than the rest of the Canadian population.  If First Nation communities continue at this rate they will soon be in a crisis situation.

The people in First Nations communities are relatively young: more than 60% of the native people in Canada are under the age of 25, nearly 40% are 15 years or less. A strong future for Aboriginal people depends on providing a better future for these youth.

POWW: Path of Warriors is a program that offers aboriginal youth a strong First Nations role model and mentor who guides them on a journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment. Based on the internationally acclaimed SafeTeen violence
prevention program, the POWW Program demonstrates skills for youth to stand up and speak up for what they believe in, without violence. Incorporating the highly effective SafeTeen model, POWW teaches First Nations youth how to hold their power and speak their truth. Developed by a First Nations woman, POWW incorporates First Nations culture and spiritual practice into the teachings making it relevant specifically to First Nations youth and their communities. Register below

Sherry Simon (T’selpinek), the co-creator and founder of POWW: Path of Wise Warriors, is from the Skeetchestn Band in the Secwepemc Nation. When she left her reserve 7 years ago, it was Sherry’s dream to help youth strengthen their voice so that they could actively participate in shaping their futures.  She was searching for something she could bring home to
the communities that encouraged self-discovery and personal fulfillment; teachings, like the Medicine Wheel, where the emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical aspects of a person’s life are considered as these life skills are developed. Sherry found the path she was looking for when she went to a workshop called SafeTeen.  For the past 3 years she has been working with SafeTeen, and her goal has been to bring these concrete empowerment and violence prevention skills to the First Nations communities.  (Read articles about SafeTeen published in previous issues of RedWAY BC News)

POWW Path of Wise Warriors One Day Training
Saturday February 17th, 2007 Registration  Form

Full Name of First Person:         _________________________________________
School District / Organization: _____________________________________________
Address: _________________________    City: __________________________
Province: _________________________  Postal / Zip Code: _____________                        Phone: ___________________________   Fax:
___________________________
Email 1: __________________________   Email 2: ___________________________
 Training Fees  $145.00 plus GST ($8.70) Total $153.70                        1.     To reserve a training spot, individuals are required to pay the full amount at the time of registration.

2.     Payment: Cheque should be made out to: Anita Roberts / SafeTeen

3.     Please mail registration form and cheque to:

SafeTeen
306 East 24th Avenue
Vancouver, BC  V5V
1Z9

Cancellation Policy

·        Individuals wishing to cancel a minimum of 1 week prior to the commencement of the SafeTeen training program will receive a refund. ·        Individuals cancelling less than one week prior to the commencement of the training workshop will receive a credit to participate at a future SafeTeen training workshop.
·        SafeTeen holds the rights to cancel training workshops due to low registration.

Filed under: All News, Events Section, Youth Section

Employment Opportunity: Regional Liaison Officer

Employment Opportunity: Regional Liaison Officer

Fraser and Coastal Health The BCNAR invites applications for a full-time contract position as a Regional Liaison Officer in the Fraser and Coastal Health areas. This is part of a four-year Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) Health of Populations Network (HoPN) grant. Initially, the contract will start as a one-year contract with the possibility of renewal, located at Simon Fraser University- Vancouver Campus, with satellite sites located in both the Fraser and Coastal Health areas.

In conjunction with the BCNAR Executive and the Network Coordinator, the Regional Liaison Officer will be responsible for network development and communication within their respective regions. Responsibilities are to include:

• expanding network membership

• linking BCNAR sectors (i.e., members from government, community, private sector and educational institutions) and facilitating new aging health research collaborations

• regularly providing inventory information to the Network Manager

• maintaining regular contact with any regional personnel from other networks and the MSFHR with a view to identifying any cross-sectoral opportunities within regions

• organizing local BCNAR workshops, training, presentations, or meetings as required

• acting as the regional contact person for public inquiries, new members, and the media

• actively soliciting and maintaining a current inventory of:

member research interest and expertise areas

aging related research and literature generated in their region

equipment, lab facilities, data and other resources that network members can access

opportunities for research collaboration among researchers and research users

research priorities as identified by research users

Qualifications Education: Masters degree in a health-related field, preferably with specialization in gerontology or geriatrics Experience: Substantial management / coordination/ organizing and research experience Skills:

o Proven leadership and interpersonal skills

o Excellent communication, networking and writing skills

o Proven organizational and time management skills

o Experience working in a research setting

o Understanding of the research process

o Ability to work independently as well as being an effective team member

o Established grantsmanship skills

o Proficient with all aspects of Information and Communication Technology

Salary: $48,000-58,000 ; plus benefits

Please send curriculum vitae and include contact information for three references to:

BCNAR Secretariat, Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University 2800 – 515 West Hastings, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3

Closing Date: Until position is filled

~

Filed under: Employment Section

Homelessness: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEPS INTO THE GAP

^{Vancouver, BC – February 12, 2007 – All Aboriginal support services and programs funded in British Columbia through Human Resources & Development Canada’s (HRDC) National Homelessness Initiative and delivered by Lu’ma Native Housing Society will stay open. There will be no funding shortfall according to Human Resources & Development Canada.}

^{Last week British Columbia faced an Emergency Homelessness Alert. The Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee (AHSC) For Greater Vancouver issued the emergency alert due to an imminent gap in funding. A Press Release and Press Conference made public the impending closures of support services to the homeless and those-at-risk of being homeless. The resulting support was immediate and vocal.}

^{Immediately after the Press Conference, a copy of the Emergency Homelessness Alert was personally delivered to Mayor Sam Sullivan by Patrick Stewart, Chair of the Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee and Christine Smith-Parnell, Executive Director of the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Society. Mayor Sullivan expressed his concern and lent his support to the committee.}

^{Within forty-eight hours of the Press Release and twenty-four hours after the Press Conference, Human Resources Development Canada sent a message to the AHSC that there would be no gap in funding. A community-based, political and media focus on the issue was instrumental in gaining results.}

^{The best news is for the thousands of people who receive support and services from the Aboriginal food banks, shelters, soup kitchens, meals on wheels, programs for sex-trade workers, addictions counselling, drop-in centres, elders programs and HIV/AIDS programs. They will now continue to receive support and services.}

^{Details of the funding are yet to be worked out but Patrick Stewart, Chair of the AHSC is confident that the other issues facing the Committee including transition funding, allocation methodology and the lack of an Aboriginal-owned and run Shelter in Greater Vancouver will be worked out.}

^{The Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee for Greater Vancouver (AHSC) represents over twenty Aboriginal service provider organizations that provide front-line services to people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.}

^{For further information contact:Patrick Stewart, MAIBC, Chair}

^{Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committeec/o 25 West 6th AvenueVancouver, BC V5Y 1K2}

 ^{Aboriginal Circle of Elders
Ph: 604-584-6621
  Aboriginal Mother Centre Society
Ph: 604-253-6262}

^{Aboriginal Community Career
& Employment Services Society
Ph: 604-685-7933}

^{ACRP ACADRE UBC
Ph: 604-585-5561}

^{aboriginal momsonthedrive
Ph: 604-518-4392}

^{British Columbia Aboriginal
 Network on Disability Society
Ph: 604-254-3112}

^{Circle of Eagles Lodge Society
Ph: 604-874-9610}

^{Cwenengitel Aboriginal Society
Ph:604-588-5561}

^{DTES Eastside Community Advocate
Ph: 604-215-2478}

^{Healing Our Spirit
Ph: 604-879-8884}

^{Helping Spirit Lodge Society
Ph: 604-872-6659}

^{Kekinow Native Housing Society
Ph: 604-591-5299}

^{Kla How Eya Aboriginal Centre
Ph: 604-584-2008}

^{Knowledgeable Aboriginal
 Youth Association
Ph: 604-254-5513}

^{Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness
Ph: 604-468-2032}

^{Stepping Stone Vision
Ph: 604-215-7864}

^{Urban Native Youth Association
Ph: 604-254-7732}

^{Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship
 Centre Society
Ph: 604-251-4844}

^{Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Society
Ph:  604-251-7200}

^{Warriors Against Violence Society
Ph:  604-254-3240}

^{Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction
Ph: 604-254-9822}

Filed under: All News