Northern Circle of Youth
Ma Mow We Tak Friendship Centre (Thompson, MB)

Project Summary

Since the Northern Circle of Youth opened its doors to the urban Aboriginal youth population, it has progressed in achieving the one-stop-shop concept and now partners with several youth projects to ensure that the holistic needs and interests of the youth are addressed in a culturally sensitive, inclusive manner. The Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre proposes to further develop and continue to implement the Northern Circle of Youth with continued community support and partnerships.

The Project Description remains relatively similar for the 2007-2008 Northern Circle of Youth proposal submission. In reviewing the project proposal for funding renewal, the youth are pleased with the project description, programs, services, activities and events of all components and are quite satisfied that it continues to address their needs and interests. The youth were forefront in the project description with the previous proposal submission and they feel that they successfully incorporated all needs and interests into the project. Each component is detailed and allows for flexibility in activities as selected by the youth.

The Northern Circle of Youth is located at 4 Nelson Road in Thompson and the youth are elated to have a place to call their own. The building that the Northern Circle of Youth and its partner youth projects operate out of has been named “The Circle” by the youth. Its location is central downtown and this has proven to be accessible for most youth. Transportation is also provided to ensure that all youth who want to attend the site are provided with every opportunity to do so. Close to The Circle are two shopping malls, several restaurants, two bowling alleys, medical, dental and eye care facilities, movie theatre, and other amenities. Additionally, The Circle is also located near the Millennium Trail (used for hiking, cross-country skiing and nature activities). The facility is within walking distance from the high school, post-secondary schools and is accessible by the public transportation system. The forest is within walking distance so youth may conveniently participate in wilderness survival and traditional outdoors activities.

This concept of a one-stop-shop model for youth programs and services is essential as many programs and services that youth would like to access or are in need of are located all over the city or nonexistent. Many of the needed/desired programs and services for youth are located in government buildings and this does not lend itself to an environment that is comfortable for youth. There is often a stigma attached to accessing services in a government or similar facility, as there is little privacy because it is often obvious as to why one is going into certain buildings. This is often a deterrent to youth accessing programs and services that may be greatly needed and may frequently results in youth not obtaining services to meet their needs, particularly where health and social issues are involved.

In addition to the need for privacy and to reduce discomfort, the one-stop-shop concept is important as much of the Aboriginal youth population relocate to Thompson from outlying reserves and small communities for education purposes, and often have difficulty in seeking and/or locating programs and services in the city. To continue developing the concept of housing all programs and services under one roof will ensure that youth have the opportunity to access needed/desired programs and services which is vital in ensuring that every opportunity is afforded for youth not fall through the cracks.

Being located almost 800 kilometres north of the provinces capital, (Winnipeg), Thompson is accessed by all the outlying remote communities for resources, programs and services. The large majority of the people coming to Thompson to access services are Aboriginal and come from Aboriginal communities. With this in mind, it is important to stress the need for programs and services delivered in an environment that is culturally sensitive and provides opportunities for participation in cultural practices and traditions.

The Northern Circle of Youth operates on a schedule that has been determined by the youth and they have indicated when they would like the Project to be accessible. The Circle is open for youth to access a variety of programs, services and activities from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. on Fridays with special events occurring on Saturdays and Sundays as per the needs and interests of the youth. These hours are for the purpose of regular programming. This schedule is reviewed regularly by the Youth Council and the Joint Management Committee to determine if the hours of operation are meeting the needs of the youth.

A variety of categories will be addressed by the Northern Circle of Youth and details are provided in the Project Summary and the Project Work Plan. An overview of the broad categories that will be addressed by the Northern Circle of Youth include, but may not be limited to the following:

Culture - Youth will have the opportunity to learn about the diverse Aboriginal cultures and this will be achieved through various workshops, teachings on traditions and ceremonies, traditional arts & crafts, music and dance including drumming, singing, First Nations traditional dance, Métis dance including jigging and square dancing, fiddle music, learn about traditional lifestyles such as hunting, fishing, trapping, plant identification, etc, wilderness survival skills, traditional foods etc.

Recreation - Youth will have the opportunity to participate in various forms of recreation including sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, hockey, table tennis, pool, shuffle board, swimming, etc., games such as board games, outdoor games, traditional games, etc., various arts and crafts, movies, dances, gym night, and extra-curricular activities such as the “Sturgeon Club” (raising sturgeon for release back into the wild), scavenger hunts, activities for holidays, etc.

Social Issues - Over the years, youth have expressed the need to address several social issues including teen sexuality (pregnancy, STD’s), substance abuse and other addictions, family dysfunction, physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse, bullying, self-esteem, conflict resolution, youth suicide, dropping out of school, holistic healing, and many others.

Volunteerism - A Youth Volunteer Program is being developed and youth will have the opportunity to volunteer at the Northern Circle of Youth and other organizations in Thompson. This will give youth valuable experience and a sense of community ownership and this will assist them in their future endeavours in terms of determining a career path and becoming employed as well as personal development benefits.

Community Development - The Northern Circle of Youth has been provided with the opportunity to become involved in community development initiatives such as the Spirit Walkway (18 points of interest, culture and history unique to Thompson), plant a flower garden at the Tansi Sign at the entrance to Thompson, Clean-up Graffiti Project, Cash-for-Trash Spring Clean up, develop and implement activities for annual community events such as Nickel Days, Aboriginal Awareness Days, Winterfest, etc.

Health - Many issues pertaining to health will be addressed including nutrition, physical fitness, learning about the harmful effects of smoking, drugs and alcohol use, dental care, hygiene, learn about diseases that are prevalent amongst Aboriginal people (diabetes, hepatitis C, etc.), the importance of mental health, stress reduction, etc.

Future Plans: Although this section does not form part of the Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth Centre application, it is provided here to demonstrate/reaffirm the commitment/support to the Northern Circle of Youth Project for future years.

The Northern Circle of Youth has had continued success in working together with the urban Aboriginal youth population to develop and provide programs, services, activities and events. We have made consistent progress in achieving the one-stop-shop concept originally visioned and because of this the Northern Circle of Youth has grown substantially.

The Northern Circle of Youth will continue to seek partnerships to enhance program and service delivery. Several of the partnerships and project plans identified to be developed in previous proposal submissions have been successfully established, most notably the following:

1. The purchase of a building for youth to call their own and to house projects that provides programs, services and activities for youth.

2. The establishment of an on-site Youth Employment Counsellor to provide employment, education and training resources, supports and services specific to youth.

3. The establishment of an on-site qualified Counsellor who has a BSW to provide counselling services to youth and their families with emphasis healing and striving towards making positive choices.

4. The establishment of a Computer Lab to provide youth with the opportunity for access to the internet and to receive computers training.

5. Secure partnerships with the Mystery Lake School Division, Manitoba Family Services and Housing, the Community Mobilization Program, MacDonald Youth Services, and several others. There are on-going discussions with respect to future partnerships with agencies/organizations to assist with specific aspects of the project.

6. The development and implementation of an alternative classroom setting with teaching staff from the local school district for youth who have difficulty in the mainstream school system.

Perhaps the most significant plan for the future is to build a new facility for the Friendship Centre which will house the youth site and include a gymnasium for the youth to access. The youth will be consulted in the development process as this is important so that the youth feel a sense of ownership. It will also be an educational experience and a chance to acquire skills that are transferable to their life long learning process.

The focus for the next year will be to continue the development of the foundation for the Northern Circle of Youth and it’s partnering youth projects. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that all projects are consistent in their progress and that the youth involvement continues to increase in all aspects.

Main Component of Project

Youth Leadership: The Northern Circle of Youth will address the UMAYC component of Leadership utilizing a variety of methods and through the delivery of program activities. The youth are the leadership of the Northern Circle of Youth and they have been empowered to make decisions and be involved with the development, planning, organizing and implementation in all aspects. Youth leadership is essential to the success of the Northern Circle of Youth.

One of the most significant activities in this respect is the development of the Youth 4 Youth Council. This council is comprised of four executive positions being the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and there are also members at large. The four Executive Members serve on the Northern Circle of Youth Joint Management Committee with representatives from the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre Board of Directors as well as management and technical staff. The Youth 4 Youth Council meets bi-weekly and the Joint Management Committee meets quarterly.

Leadership training is conducted on both a formal and informal basis, often through workshops, education sessions and sharing circles. Emphasis is placed on self-esteem, empowerment and capacity building. Youth are encouraged and supported in developing or enhancing their sense of self and their importance in the world around them. They are empowered to make informed decisions and to build on the capacity of existing knowledge and resources. Staff provides hands-on leadership opportunities and guidance to the youth as they participate. Guest speakers and role models are also brought in to talk with the youth and share their experiences.

Leadership development opportunities are provided to youth on a frequent basis and youth are encouraged to participate. An example of this is our annual youth conference where a youth member participates as a Co-Master of Ceremonies. Youth are also involved in the development of our Annual Youth Conference, Aboriginal Awareness Days events, Winterfest events, the Spirit Way Inc., etc. This also promotes youth leadership within the community which is vital to their development as responsible citizens and to take ownership of their town.

Project Activities

Program and Service Delivery: The Northern Circle of Youth provides a variety of programs, services and activities that meet the expressed needs and aspirations of the youth population in the City of Thompson. The programs, services and activities provided are delivered in a holistic, inclusive manner and are conducive to meeting the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the urban Aboriginal youth population. Youth are consulted on a continual basis to seek their feedback and input regarding what programs and services are offered and how they are delivered. Youth involvement is always actively promoted in all aspects of program and service delivery, including the development, planning, implementation and evaluation. Programs, services and activities include (but are not limited to) the following components: Education/Employment; Social, Family and Health Issues; Cultural Activities; and Recreation.

Programs and services are delivered in structured and unstructured formats utilizing innovative and creative techniques. This is to ensure that there are opportunities for formal learning to take place as well as for freedom of youth to choose how and what they would like to participate in and also accommodates the diverse learning styles of the youth utilizing a non-traditional approach. All programs, services, activities and events are youth driven.

Culture: Cultural activities have increasingly played a vital role in the overall delivery of programs and services. Youth have been and will continue to be encouraged to become involved in various cultural activities and take pride in their backgrounds. This program component has a tri-purpose as cultural activities will be delivered for all the diverse Aboriginal cultures in our Region/Province:

Create and enhance promotion of the diverse Aboriginal cultures;
Increase awareness and respect for one another;
Instill a sense of pride in who they are as Aboriginal people.

This will provide a great opportunity for youth from the Métis culture to participate in Cree activities, or Dené activities and vice-versa. It is believed to be equally important to build cross-cultural awareness and relations among the diverse Aboriginal population as it is to build with non-Aboriginal cultures. This is often overlooked and cultural values and traditions are often “blended” and perceived as relevant to all Aboriginal people and this has created dissension and problems for youth as they struggle with their identity.

It is essential that Aboriginal people, youth in particular, have the opportunity to become more aware of their culture as well as participate in activities that promote traditions and values. Self-esteem can be adversely affected for youth who are struggling with their identity and if there is no where for them to turn for help. The loss of culture and language for the diverse Aboriginal population has negatively impacted Aboriginal people for generations and this has transcended down to today’s generation. With the implementation of cultural programming, the Northern Circle of Youth can provide youth with the opportunity to increase their self-esteem and strive towards a positive future for themselves and their future families.

All Northern Circle of Youth staff will ensure the provision and facilitation of cultural activities in conjunction with the youth and community cultural resource people. Resources regarding the diverse Aboriginal cultures will be provided to the youth, and Elders will be invited to participate and share in the program activities. Community cultural resource people have been identified and have been involved with the development and delivery of cultural activities and teachings for the youth.

Cultural activities have/may consist of: Cross-cultural workshops and seminars which would focus on the diverse Aboriginal cultures as well as non-Aboriginal cultures; Traditional ceremonies and practices from the various Aboriginal cultures; Activities that will promote racial harmony and eliminate racism and prejudice; Drama related activities; The development of media resources to assist with racial harmony; Guest speakers and field trips to various cross-cultural facilities; Activity development for International Day for Elimination of Racism; Involvement with community activities (annual and special); The development of a support group for youth to address racial issues and that will actively promote racial harmony through activities within the community; etc.

Cultural activities have/will also include various traditional arts such as dance (Pow-Wow, jigging, square dance, etc.); Music (drums, fiddle, singing, etc.); Hands on experience with making and eating foods from the various Aboriginal cultures; Storytelling; Traditional games; Oral history from Elders; Various Aboriginal language teachings; Traditional arts and crafts (dreamcatchers, slippers, paintings, carvings, etc.); Traditional regalia of the various Aboriginal cultures; Experience with outdoor survival; Spirituality (medicine wheel, sweat lodge, etc.); etc. In the 1999-2000 year, a drum group called “The Northern Stone Singers” was established and they have become recognized throughout the province. A Hoop Dance Troupe had been established but has since discontinued as the Instructor has relocated to another community. It is hoped that we will be able to locate another Instructor to continue this program. The Northern Circle of Youth has partnered with the Manitoba Métis Federation - Thompson Local to offer square dance lessons and hopes to partner with them to offer fiddle lessons for youth.

All aspects of cultural programming have been and will continue to be delivered in a sensitive manner to the youth as they have identified experience in being made to feel “inadequate or stupid” at times because they lack knowledge and experience in their own Aboriginal culture. It is recognized that cultural practices have not been a part of the upbringing of many of today’s youth and with the revitalization of the diverse Aboriginal cultures, it is further recognized that the youth are learning. The youth have been respected and encouraged to participate, ask questions, discuss their own experiences and/or lack of experiences, etc. Overall, it is the goal of the Northern Circle of Youth to install full confidence in the youth as they seek to learn about their own cultures.

Education/Employment: The component of Education and Employment involves several formats in program and service delivery. Programs, services and activities include the following:

Education: An education resource library is available for youth to access as well as field trips to the Thompson Public Library; Information on what educational services are available; Education counselling; Exploration of education options and potential funding sources; Tutorial services; Peer Tutoring Program; A homework room; Utilization of the Cap (Community Access Program) site where computers and the internet are accessible; Guest speakers on various topics; Role Model presentations; Presentations from community groups related to youth and education; Education symposiums developed and conducted by youth; Other education related supports and programs as identified by youth; Participant follow-up; etc.

In addition to the above identified programs and services, the Northern Circle of Youth also includes the “Echoes” classroom, a transition type of classroom for youth who have had little success or ineffective experience with the public school system. Partnership with the local school district and several other key agencies and organizations have been established for the development and implementation of the classroom.

The classroom offers services beyond education as many youth require additional supports in order to continue school or achieve the degree of success that they are endeavouring. An accredited teacher and educational assistant are on-site to provide classroom delivery and supports that the youth require. Additional supports include counselling, addressing social issues, self-esteem, assessing academic needs and working with the youth to take charge of their education. This will increase the likelihood of students completing their education and decrease the high school drop-out rates.

Employment: The Northern Circle of Youth has partnered to provide an on-site Youth Employment Counsellor to provide employment, education and training counselling and assistance. Activities provided include the following: An employment resource library for youth to access; Information on what employment services are available; Employment counselling; A Job Finding Club; Employment skills training workshops and seminars; Career exploration; Access to computers to acquire/increase computer skills; Job coaching for those who are working and require employment assistance; Information on labour laws; Educating the youth on how to fill out applications and resume preparation; Information and/or assistance with seeking funding to attend training programs; Guest speakers on various topics; Presentations from community groups related to youth and employment; Employment symposiums developed and conducted by youth; An Aboriginal Role Model Program will be developed from the local Aboriginal population; Participant follow-up; etc.

A Youth Entrepreneur Program has previously been offered and it is endeavoured to continue in order to form an important segment of the employment component as the youth have responded quite favourably. We will be partnering with North Central Development to develop and implement a youth entrepreneur program. Youth will again have the opportunity to participate in small business venture activities and will continue to be supported through the provision of workshops, information and hands-on activity and support. This will provide valuable experience that is transferable to further education and employment skills. The Youth 4 Youth group have previously developed and implemented a D.J. business plan and they have been providing this service at youth socials and various functions. The previously developed Northern Stone Drum Group which formed at the Northern Circle of Youth and received assistance from the Employment/Economic Development Counsellor to work on a business plan as they are endeavouring to establish and promote themselves in order to participate in the Pow-Wow circuit.

The Education and Employment component is and will continue to be delivered through partnership with Partners for Youth, Manitoba Education and Training. The Youth Employment Counsellor is responsible for connecting with the youth to determine what their needs are and then develop and implement programs and services to meet the identified needs where feasible. Follow-up and on-going evaluation will take place and will primarily involve the youth as they will be in the best position to determine their needs and the program components effectiveness.

Social, Family and Health Issues: Social, family and health issues continue to play a large role in the development of our youth population and can have a positive or negative impact in youth in achieving success and reaching goals. This would depend primarily on their personal experiences, what supports they have and how they deal with them. Many youth do not have, or have expressed that they feel they do not have the support required to assist them with their social and family issues. As stated in the Needs Assessment, there is great demand for the addressing of social issues and the youth have been very forthcoming in communicating this need.

Social issues identified by the youth as having an impact on their lives are as follows: Racism; Suicide; Mental Health (depression and various disorders); Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse; Family Violence; Abuse (physical, sexual, mental, emotional); Youth Crime; Teen Pregnancy; Youth in care; Youth involved in the justice system; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Parenting programs; Dysfunctional family; Gang related activities; etc.

All Northern Circle of Youth staff and partnering projects will ensure the provision and facilitation of social programs and services based on the expressed needs of the youth. Programs and services have been and will continue to be delivered through various techniques and include: Workshops and seminars; Group and individual counselling; Support groups and sharing circles; A resource library; Guest speakers; Information on available resources; Referrals to appropriate agency/organization; Liaison; Drama productions; Youth development of resource materials that are relevant to the Aboriginal culture in our region.

Discussions are on-going regarding partnership with the Regional Health Authority to offer youth mental health services delivered by a Mental Health Worker directly out of the Northern Circle of Youth Project on a regular basis. This will increase the comfort level of youth to access these services as they will not be required to attend a government facility, which can be an intimidating experience and many youth will not go simply because of where the service is located. There is a perceived stigma attached to accessing certain government services and is often identified as a barrier.
Health issues continue to be identified as an important need of the youth. Communications are continuing with the Burntwood Regional Health Authority to establish a partnership for the delivery of youth specific health services at the Northern Circle of Youth. A clinical type of setting for youth (Teen Clinic) will be implemented and delivered by health professionals directly out of the planned facility. Health professionals will provide general health care, information and referral to youth on a regular basis (most likely weekly) at the facility. Health professionals involved will likely include Public Health Nurses and Nutritionists. Financial constraints have resulted in a delay of the mental health services and teen clinic services, however we continue to seek resources to implement these components.

Many of the following workshops and seminars have been conducted to address needs and/or issues identified by the youth and will include: Birth control methods and education; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Proper diet, nutrition and exercise; The importance of regular check-ups with a physician; Personal hygiene; Proper dental care; The harmful effects of drugs, alcohol, substances and tobacco; Proper skin care and acne treatments; Pre-natal, Post-partum and Post-natal care; Infant and child health care for young parents; F.A.S./F.A.E. prevention, intervention and education; Education on disabilities and information on resources, programs and services. Workshops that have not been delivered as of yet will be implemented in the next year.

In recent years, diabetes has been an increasing detriment to the health of Aboriginal people. The Northern Circle of Youth will partner with the Mino-Ayaw: (Feeling Healthy) project to provide diabetes education and prevention awareness activities. Youth will be educated on what diabetes is risk factors, complications, nutrition, recreation, etc. and overall healthy lifestyles will be promoted in a knowledgeable, supportive environment.

In addition to the above services, the Mino-Aywa program, (Feeling Healthy) project component will continue to involve education and prevention activities. Program activities have/will include tours of medical facilities; Guest speakers from the health field; The offering of First Aid training and Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation; The development of health resource material by the youth; Health and Nutrition Fairs organized and implemented by the youth; etc.

Youth have identified family dysfunction as a major issue for them. Project staff and partnering projects will work with the youth, in conjunction with community resource people, to strive towards solutions in dealing with family dynamics. The youth, with assistance from the various project staff and community, will strive to develop a model and program that will address these issues. Part of the model has been developed in the form of a weekly sharing circle and this has provided much needed support for many of the youth.

Any area of social issue identified by youth has and will continue to be responded to. Youth have identified that they would like to be active in providing assistance in the community as they have observed needs of other people. They have stressed that they recognize the need to address child poverty issues, the environment and several others. The project staff will continue to work with the youth to plan how they wish to address these areas of concern.

Recreation: The benefits of recreation are numerous and will formulate a large part of the program activities offered within the scope of this project. It is common knowledge that youth who participate often in recreational activities are less likely to become involved with risky activities that may lead to crime, teen pregnancy, involvement with drugs and alcohol, smoking, etc.

The benefits to mental health and the emotional state of being are greatly increased when recreation and physical activity is undertaken. It is a proven medical fact that recreation and physical activity promote the release of endorphins from the central nervous system which in turn promotes a sense of well-being and contentment. Youth who participate in recreation are less likely to become depressed, suffer low self-esteem, have suicidal thoughts or tendencies, or develop other mental illnesses. Good mental health and good physical health go hand in hand.

The most significant factor with youth and recreation is fun. It is important for youth to have the opportunity to enjoy themselves and not focus on their problems. It is essential that the “fun” be activities that will promote healthy and positive lifestyles. It is imperative that our youth be given a chance to have a sense of fun and freedom before they have to join the adult world of responsibility and work.

Recreation activities are developed and implemented based on the expressed needs and interests of the youth. The youth play an integral part with the development and implementation and will have the opportunity to learn how to plan and organize. Recreation activities that take place include and are not limited to the following: Various sports activities (both indoors and out); a multitude of games such as board games, cards, etc.; Arts and crafts; Drama; Choral and music; Tours and field trips; Camping; Youth dances; Scavenger hunts; Creative writing and other works of individual expression; Outdoor Expeditions, Community involvement such as volunteerism and cultural awareness, etc.

As previously anticipated, the youth have taken a leadership role and have become involved in community service and volunteer for various children’s, youth and Elders programs and services. Interest and concern have been expressed by the youth in regards to child poverty and being involved in community service activities. Youth involvement will continue to be actively promoted and youth are being encouraged to participate in developing and delivering activities for children, youth and Elders.

Recreation activities are not limited to the physical aspects of ones self. Consideration will be given to the emotional, mental and other needs in the delivery of recreation programs. The youth appreciate being in the wilderness and they are learning the traditional ways and wilderness survival skills as well. These activities have proven to be very beneficial and have encouraged youth to share and recognize the importance of caring about themselves and one another.

Anticipated Results and Outcomes

The Northern Circle of Youth will provide excellent opportunity for the youth to address their needs in a holistic manner. It is anticipated that participation in the Northern Circle of Youth will potentially produce (but not be limited to) the following end results:

More youth will participate in alternative activities that will provide them with the opportunity to learn and enjoy positive social interaction in a safe environment where they feel welcome and accepted;

Cultural opportunities will assist the youth in learning about First Nation, Métis and Inuit people, their values and traditions. Youth will have the opportunity to learn from Elders and other cultural resource people. This will strengthen positive ties with the community and instill a sense of pride and awareness of who they are as Aboriginal people;

Youth will learn about the value of education and stay in school. Youth will establish goals for themselves and begin exploring and planning what they need to do to achieve their goals (post-secondary education, training programs, employment prospects, etc.);

Youth will have the opportunity to learn about program development, planning, organizing, implementation, evaluation and governance. This will assist them in future initiatives that they get involved in and they will have greater confidence in demonstrating their knowledge and leadership;

The youth will increase their respect for their community by becoming involved in community development activities. Youth will feel that they are a part of their community and develop a strong sense of pride and belonging. This will increase their desire to be responsible, law abiding citizens;

It is expected that there will be a reduction in alcohol and substance abuse;

Participation in the various aspects of this program will increase self-esteem and provide more education along the lines of health and self-care;

Providing positive alternatives and teen sexuality education and resources will reduce teen pregnancy;

The overall health of youth will improve as they learn more about and participate in activities regarding physical fitness, nutrition, mental health awareness, dental care, hygiene and diseases that are prevalent amongst the Aboriginal population;

Youth will have acquired greater life skills that will benefit them in all aspects of their future;

Youth will develop positive relationships and increase their social skills benefiting them in school, work, and other activities that involve other people;

It is expected that Youth Role Models will continue to develop by participating with the Northern Circle of Youth. We have been fortunate in having former youth be recognized and receive awards such as the Manitoba Aboriginal Achievement Awards, scholarships, bursaries, etc.

The Northern Circle of Youth will ensure that all objectives of the UMAYC Program Guidelines are incorporated into all aspects of program and service delivery. This ensures that the project is delivered in a culturally sensitive, holistic, inclusive, youth driven manner to provide the utmost benefit to Aboriginal youth.