REGINA – EDUCATION – Providing more opportunities for Indigenous youth to pursue their life goals through successful post-secondary learning and developing job market skills for the 21st century is the cornerstone of a new partnership between First Nations University and Katimavik.
With restored funding for Katimavik, this agreement will enable the partners to work together to provide opportunities for Indigenous youth to participate in Katimavik community service volunteer employment while studying at the First Nation University of Canada, with campuses in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, SK.
“This is a great opportunity for Indigenous youth to continue their higher education including their traditional culture and language”, says Dr. Mark Dockstator, President of First Nations University of Canada. “By working with Katimavik we will be able to share collective values that have been passed down countless generations in Indigenous communities with young women and men across Canada.”
“Katimavik works with sponsoring Indigenous communities and their governments to enable Indigenous youth to kick-start or accelerate their learning and development goals leading to their career goals, while strengthening their diverse Indigenous cultures and languages”, says Willy Fournier, Chair of the Board of Directors for Katimavik. “It aligns with the Vision and Mission of First Nations University. It also complements Katimavik’s youth community volunteer service, which provides these youth with rewarding employment experiences. It’s a great opportunity for Indigenous youth.”
Katimavik has a recognized track-record in engaging diverse youth from across Canada in civic projects and developing their skills with 93% of participants say that the Katimavik experience “changed my life”. The facts are that only 600 Indigenous youth participated in Katimavik programs, which has over 35,000 alumni. This agreement is another innovative step to create more opportunities to meet the specific aspirations of Indigenous youth.
Success in the 21st century requires new and changing skills. Working with leading institutions like First Nations University of Canada will provide expertise and a place where Indigenous youth can develop and thrive. This is also reflected in another recently announced partnership with Trent University.
In addition to providing opportunities for Indigenous youth, First Nations University of Canada and Katimavik will collaborate on effective ways to engage all Canadian youth in reconciliation initiatives across Canada. First Nations University of Canada is a National Gathering Place for Reconciliation. This complements another recent partnership between Katimavik and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, enlarging a growing web of mutual benefit.
