THUNDER BAY – The Feathers of Hope Team and the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth would like to extend an invitation to two youth from your community to attend an upcoming youth forum, Feathers of Hope: Justice and Juries, being held at the Best Western Nor’Wester Hotel and Conference Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario on November 17-20, 2014.
This forum is at the request of the Ministry of the Attorney-General based on a recommendation made in the Iacobucci Report: First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries. The forum’s purpose is to hear from youth about issues and concerns regarding the justice system, in particular First Nations representation on juries and jury selection.
The Feathers of Hope team is hoping to have representation from the communities under Grand Council Treaty #3, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Robinson-Superior, and every independent community in Northern Ontario. We also have a limited number of spots for First Nations youth from the rest of Ontario to attend.
We are looking for youth aged 15 to 29 who are willing to be a part of an opportunity to make positive change to the justice system and are interested in speaking about the topic of youth involvement in the justice system and juries. There is a limit of two youth per community. Attendees’ names and completed (Youth Registration Forms) must be submitted by Friday, October 31, 2014.
Youth under the age of 18 will require a chaperone that will be responsible for them for the entire forum. If two youth under 18 are attending from one community, only one chaperone is required. The chaperone must submit the Chaperone Registration Form.
Transportation and accommodation for youth and chaperones costs will be covered. Meals will be provided for youth and chaperones during the forum. Please note that November 17 and November 21 are travel days.
For further information, please call the Youth Amplifiers at the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth at (807) 624-1454 or email foh@provincialadvocate.on.ca. We thank you for your assistance and look forward to meeting the youth from your community.
Sincerely,
Talon Bird, Savanna Boucher, Karla Kakegamic, Sarah Nelson
Youth Amplifiers – Feathers of Hope
