Funding Will Support Indigenous Youth, Leadership Development in B.C.

New funding will support the BC Association of Friendship Centres to expand access, education, and training opportunities for Indigenous youth in B.C. during the annual Gathering Our Voices Indigenous youth leadership conference.

“Gathering Our Voices helps Indigenous youth build their leadership skills and encourages them to dream big,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

“We’re funding Indigenous youth leadership gatherings for cultural celebration, career exploration and connection.”

The conference is underway in Vancouver.

The $10.35 million grant from the Province will be used to enable approximately 500 more Indigenous youth from First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban and off-reserve communities to attend Gathering Our Voices annually for the next five years.

It will allow Gathering Our Voices to focus on ensuring the attendance of youth in care, who have fewer opportunities to attend the annual event.

It will also support the expansion of education and training workshops, and the exhibitors' hall to include more employment and academic training opportunities for attendees.

The event focuses on providing Indigenous youth with a safe and inclusive environment, free from the impacts of racism, exclusion, and poverty, to celebrate Indigenous culture, dream about the future, and engage in career building, training, workshops, and tours.