THUNDER BAY – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy congratulated a youth ambassador from Attawapiskat First Nation who spoke to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child February 6 in Geneva Switzerland. Chelsea Edwards is from Attawapiskat First Nation and is 16 years old. She was the youth spokesperson for the Shannen’s Dream campaign for safe schools and equitable education on reserves. Chelsea has appeared on national and international media about the inequities in education and other areas affecting First Nations children and youth in Canada.
“Chelsea is the voice and spirit of our youth who has been fortunate enough to share story with the United Nations and how all our First Nations youth been affected by basic human rights inequalities,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “More of our youth need to be heard on the international stage. Our youth are facing daily challenges in the remote north, but opportunities like this allow them to share their hopes and dreams for a brighter future with the world.”
Six aboriginal youth ambassadors from Canada attended the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child this week to request that the UN look into the inequities for First Nations children and families for education, health and child welfare.
Chelsea Edwards is from Attawapiskat First Nation and is 16 years old. She was the youth spokesperson for the Shannen’s Dream campaign for safe schools and equitable education on reserves. Chelsea has appeared on national and international media about the inequities in education and other areas affecting First Nations children and youth in Canada.
Earlier today, NAN released Kikinahamaagewin a report outlining the path forward for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and education.