Provincial and Aboriginal leaders will honour 20 Aboriginal youth for successfully completing the 2010-11 B.C. Aboriginal Youth Internship Program, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Mary Polak announced.

The Aboriginal youth interns have participated in a nine-month placement in a B.C. government ministry or agency, followed by a three-month placement in a selected B.C. Aboriginal organization. Through these placements, the interns have received professional experience and development, as well as mentorship, support and guidance for their education and career paths.

This year interns worked on:

• The development of an injury prevention program for Aboriginal elders at the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
• A youth engagement strategy at the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
• Policy development at the B.C. Assembly of First Nations.

The program began in September 2007 after extensive consultations with five Aboriginal youth organizations, the Métis Nation British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council. Since then, 86 Aboriginal youth have completed the 12-month program that is designed to increase the youths' leadership capacity, education and career opportunities.

Interns who have completed the program have gone on to successful careers with Aboriginal and provincial governments and agencies, including positions with the B.C. Treaty Commission, the Squamish Nation and the New Relationship Trust.

The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program is a partnership between the BC Public Service Agency and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. The program reflects the Province's commitment to build a new relationship with First Nations and Aboriginal people and close gaps in health, housing, education and economic opportunities.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/social/fcf/ayip.html

Contact:

Maria Wilkie
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 361-7720