BC Association Of Aboriginal Friendship Centres #200 - 506 Fort Street Victoria BC V8W 1E6 PH: (250) 388-5522 FAX: (250) 388-5502
UMAYC 2008 - 2009 Proposal Applications
The primary goal of the UMAYC Initiative is to create a network of projects to support and assist urban Aboriginal youth across Canada in enhancing their economic, social, cultural and personal prospects.
2008/2009 Request for Proposals
The deadline for all three copies to be received at the Heritage Canada office is 4:30 P.M Nov. 9, 2007 Call for UMAYC Provincial Funding Board (PFB) Members 2008 - 2009 Proposal Intake
...more details
March 17-20, 2008 Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, BC Aboriginal youth (14-24) are invited to take part in a dynamic conference on Sport, Recreation and Wellness with many workshops, interactive Sport and Wellness fair & afternoon sport/recreational activities!
Student Bursaries The First Citizens Fund student bursary program is funded by the Province of British Columbia and delivered by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres.
Elders Transportation To provide partial funding to Elders for travel costs related to the Annual Elders Gathering.
The Role of Volunteers All Friendship Centres were founded by volunteers, by Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people working together to provide needed services. The movement is rooted in volunteerism and despite the rapid growth which most Centres have experienced in the past twenty years, they are still highly dependent on volunteers to provide much needed services. Volunteers play a particularly vital role in the areas of cultural and recreational activities for children and youth which form an essential part of Friendship Centre programming. The Role of Elders Elders play an important part in the Friendship Centre movement. They are both the link with the past and guides into the future. They educate the young on the ways of the past thus ensuring the traditions and culture are not lost. Through their leadership, they point the young towards the future. They promote pride in their culture and in one's self and provide guidance and direction to the leaders within the movement. Friendship Centres recognize and give respect to Elders because they recognize that without the Elders' wisdom and guidance, the movement could not be a family untied, supportive and caring for one another and the people they serve. They are the glue that binds Friendship Centres together in a common cause based on equality and justice.
For more information please contact your Local Friendship Centre
Job Postings/Employment Opportunities
Please click on the links below to find out more information about each position.
Aboriginal Family Literacy:
Provincial Aboriginal Family Literacy Director(Deadline is 4:30pm, Thursday, May 8th, 2008- Late applications will not be considered)
Call for Summer Students:
AFCP Assistant Call for Applicants (Deadline for Applications is April 30th, 2008)
Information Technology Support Office Call for Applicants (Deadline for Applications is April 30th, 2008)
Postings with the icon , require Microsoft Word which is available at http://www.microsoft.com/ . Other postings with the icon , require Adobe Acrobat which is available at http://www.adobe.com/ .
Please feel free to check back regularly for updated postings. If you have require any further information please contact General Manager, Carl Mashon
Or contact the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres Second Floor ,#200-506 Fort Street, Victoria BC, V8W 1E6 Telephone: (250) 388-5522 Fax: (250) 388-5502
Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres
The templates and forms above do require you to have Microsoft Word, available at www.microsoft.com .
Tanya L. McKenzie, Program and Services Team Leader BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres #200 - 506 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8R 4W6 tmckenzie@bcaafc.com 1-800-990-2432 Fax (250) 388-5502
FIRST CITIZENS' FUND
The First Citizens' Fund, a perpetual fund created in 1969, is available for cultural, educational and economic development for Aboriginal people in British Columbia. In 2001, the Government of British Columbia doubled the net value of the Fund from $36 million to $72 million. Interest earned from Fund investments supports programs and services for Aboriginal people. All programs and services are managed and delivered in partnership with British Columbia Aboriginal organizations. The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres administers the following programs: a. The Student Bursary Program - to provide financial assistance to eligible Aboriginal students enrolled in post-secondary education programs.
b. The Elders Transportation Program - to provide partial funding to Elders to offset travel costs related to the Annual Elders Gathering.
c. The Friendship Centre Program - to assist Friendship Centres to offset the salary, benefits and related program costs of Program Directors who deliver a range of social, recreational and cultural programming to Aboriginal people living in urban areas.
Elders Transportation Program:
The Elders Transportation Program - to provide partial funding to Elders to offset travel costs related to the Annual Elders Gathering.
Applications are reviewed for funding based on factors including: distance away from the event, overall travel costs, regional representation and a complete application. Individual Elders are encouraged to apply, include a letter of support from a recognized Aboriginal organization to affirm financial support is required to enable travel the Annual Elders Gathering.
Visit the BCAAFC website for the application forms, which are accepted from January to June annually. We also include other potential fundraising links and up to date information on the Annual Elders Gathering.
Student Bursary Program:
The Student Bursary Program of the First Citizens' Fund provides financial assistance to Aboriginal students enrolled in post-secondary education programs. Students must be ordinarily resident in British Columbia and are registered full-time in a post-secondary program of two or more year’s duration. To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average or C+ grade equivalent. The program supports undergraduate and graduate students in degree programs, and students in two-year diploma or certificate programs. Bursaries are also available to students with disabilities who may need more time to complete their education. Students may qualify for one of the two funding streams: $2,000 (based on financial need) or $700 (if receiving a living allowance from your Nation).
Students approved for funding, are eligible to send their transcript midway through the academic year to receive half of the bursary if they’ve maintained a C+ average. The Province of British Columbia has partnered with the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres for program delivery of the student bursary program. Please visit the BCAAFC website for an application, the annual intake period is between January and May. The website also includes useful links for students. “Thank you so much! This couldn't have come at a better time for me. Thank you for the opportunity to continue my education at UBC and I know I'll do you and our community proud. Thank you again,”
Friendship Centre Program Director:
The Friendship Centre Program of the First Citizens Fund assists Aboriginal Friendship Centres in BC. It offsets the employment costs of Program Directors who provide culturally responsive services for Aboriginal people living in urban areas. Program directors provide a range of cultural, social and recreational programming that strengthens Aboriginal families and communities, and empowers individuals to reach their goals. Friendship centres have an 'open door' for Aboriginal people seeking support and information. Please contact the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres or visit your nearest Friendship Centre for more information.
For information on BCAAFC First Citizens Fund programs please click on the corresponding link below :
For more information please contact Lisa Mercure (Gagnon), First Citizens Fund Program Administrator
The Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) Initiative is intended for Aboriginal youth between 15 and 24 who live in communities with populations over 1,000, regardless of status, culture or gender, and may include Aboriginal children and youth ages 10-14 years, or young Aboriginal adults ages 25-29 years. Where programs engage youth from 10-14 or 25-29 years, an explanation of why youth in this age group have been included will be required. Programs that are funded will have strong involvement and participation of Aboriginal youth at all stages, i.e., planning, development and delivery of the program. The overall goal of the UMAYC Initiative is to create a network of urban multipurpose Aboriginal youth centres that will provide accessible, Aboriginal community-based, culturally relevant and supportive programs, services and counselling to urban Aboriginal youth, and facilitate their participation in existing programs in order to improve their economic, social and personal prospects. The Initiative is in support of measures that equip and encourage urban Aboriginal youth, regardless of status, culture or gender, to meet their challenges and improve their life prospects.
The UMAYC Initiative was launched in February 1999 in response to a commitment made by the government in its election platform. Originally approved to March 31, 2003, the Initiative was extended to March 31, 2005, to be included in an overall study of the 13 programs and initiatives of the Aboriginal Affairs Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage. In May of 2005, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced a five-year extension of the UMAYC Initiative to operate until 2010. The UMAYC Initiative is designed to provide urban Aboriginal youth with a wide range of culturally based programs, services and activities that are locally controlled and designed in conjunction with Aboriginal youth. Year-to-year programs, services and activities will be structured in a manner that will empower Aboriginal youth to address the challenges they face and determine their own future with a sense of pride in a safe and culturally relevant environment.
The key objectives of the UMAYC Initiative are:
CLICK HERE TO VISIT UMAYC DOWNLOADS & APPLICATION PAGE
Useful links include: National Association of Friendship Centres: http://www.nafc.com Canadian Hertiage: http://www.pch.gc.ca
For more information please contact: Tanya L. McKenzie, UMAYC Provincial Coordinator BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres #200 - 506 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8R 4W6 tmckenzie@bcaafc.com 1-800-990-2432 Fax (250) 388-5502
The Provincial Aboriginal Youth Council (PAYC) is a youth council made up of youth aged 14-24 who are involved with Friendship Centres across BC. PAYC strives to:
National Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program
Established in the early 1970's, the program strives to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal peoples in urban environments by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access and participation in Canadian societies, and respects and strengthens the increasing emphasis on Aboriginal cultural distinctiveness. The NAFC Program established baseline management and operational standards which BC augmented and strengthened:
Peer support in management, administration and governance of Friendship Centre programs and boards. This voluntary committee also shares management and development information with Aboriginal community organizations to build strong local networks.
For more information please contact Lisa Mercure (Gagnon) Aboriginal Friendship Centre Programs and First Citizens Fund Programs Administrator.
PLEASE KEEP POSTED FOR INFO ON
GATHERING OUR VOICES:
2009 PROVINCIAL ABORIGINAL YOUTH CONFERENCE
IN
KELOWNA, BC
MARCH 2009
Gathering Our Voices:2008 Provincial Aboriginal Youth Conference March 17-20, 2008
Victoria, BC
Victoria Conference Centre
Hosted by: In partnership with:
BCAAFC PAYC ASRA
Sponsorship was provided by:
The Province of British Columbia through the following ministries:
The Government of Canada through the:
The BC First Nations Leadership Council through the:
Downloads
Feel free to download and print the following documents (* Requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader - Download at www.adobe.com) Tentative Agenda ( *New* as of February 14th, 2008)
Workshop Descriptions ( *NEW* as of February 14th, 2008)
Conference Ad 8.5 x 14
Links
Images from 2008 Conference in Victoria, BC:
MORE PICTURES COMING SOON!
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact Ken Watts, Youth Conference Coordinator.
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
Phone (250) 388-5522
Fax (250) 388-5502
#200-506 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
V8W 1E6
