Canada World Youth celebrates 35 years
By Kane Blacque
Canada World Youth (CWY) held its 35th anniversary celebration in Edmonton, AB on October 19th, 2006. The event was put facilitated by Program Officers Zane Hamm and Heather McPherson of the CWY Western Canada Regional Office in Edmonton, AB.
When I arrived at City Hall I was welcomed by youth from many different countries. I asked them about their experience with CWY and they all had positive things to say. They all attributed Canada World Youth to changing their lives for the better. Many said that they learned a new respect for other people from different countries, other people from their own countries, but most of all, a new respect for themselves.
There were current participants from South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and various regions in Canada, as well as past participants from programs to Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Eastern Europe in attendance. Other guests included past & present host families from Canada along with CWY staff & volunteers. With all these participants involved in this event, there was cause to celebrate and they did.
I had an opportunity to speak with a past Métis participant, Don Logan, who joined CWY in 1973. Don Logan, born in Edmonton, said to me, “Joining Canada World Youth is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.” He and also proudly stated during his speech to the crowd, “Canada World Youth is a family.” I believe him.
Logan joined as a Regional Program Coordinator and participated in an Aboriginal Program between Canada & Mexico. He said the experience changed his life and that he is proud to have been a part of that program and CWY as a whole. He then became a board member and since then, has been a part of CWY on many different levels.
Hearing that there was Aboriginal Programs at one time, I started to ask around for more information on these particular programs and any current ones.
I was introduced to Program Officer Charlene Ball who informed me about two Aboriginal programs in the early 1990s. In these programs there were eight participants, all from Alberta, Canada. At that time, Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) & Oteenow Employment & Training Society in Edmonton were involved in the funding for the programs.
Each program had four Métis youth from the MNA & four First Nations youth from Oteenow that participated. Since then, the funding was cut and the Aboriginal Youth Program was unable to continue its third year of the three year run. I asked Charlene Ball if there were any plans to get the Aboriginal Youth Program up & running again. She said, “We would not hesitate to entertain the idea if the right funding is there.”
Any Métis and/or First Nations bands and organizations interested in being a part of funding the Aboriginal Program are asked to call Canada World Youth (780) 432-1877 ext. 309 or 1-877-929-6884 and speak to Charlene Ball.
Native Journal congratulates Canada World Youth on 35 years of achievement. Keep up the great work!