Published on September 29 from National Association of Friendship Centres

BGC Canada and NAFC sign MOU to advance reconciliation and support youth ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

OTTAWA – BGC Canada (formerly the Boys and Girls Club of Canada) and the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to work towards advancing reconciliation and opportunities for partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth across the country.
Through the memorandum, both organizations commit to joint advocacy, sharing tools and training, and facilitating opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to learn from each other and work together to be drivers of reconciliation in their communities. BGC Canada and the NAFC will work together with their member-based network of local Clubs and Friendship Centres in expanding Truth and Reconciliation activities, including, but not limited to, engagement on youth capacity and employment, the rights of children, women in the economy, and summer programming.

The signing comes in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and responds directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action #66. TRC Call to Action #66 calls upon the federal government to establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation and establish a national network to share information and best practices.

“As a previous Youth Council member in the Friendship Centre Movement, I understand firsthand the value of youth programming and the difference it makes in the lives of youth. Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the NAFC continues to support actions to recommit ourselves, governments and partners to uphold the rights of urban Indigenous children and youth across the country. This partnership will support both our Youth Councils in learning from each other to increase respect, understanding and reciprocity between urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. The NAFC and our network of Friendship Centres are on the front line with urban Indigenous Youth across the country, constantly working to build capacity, leadership and provide mentorship through youth-driven programs, job training, and related wraparound supports. We are optimistic to partner with BGC Canada to support youth and advocate for a brighter future.” – Jocelyn Formsma, Executive Director, NAFC

“BGC Clubs across the country are proud to partner with the NAFC to advance reconciliation and create opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth alike. Our Clubs have committed
to creating equitable spaces for Indigenous staff, children, and youth, and to ending systemic inequities faced by Indigenous communities.” – Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Bridget Bowman Communications, Policy and Research Manager, NAFC
bbowman@nafc.ca

The National Association of Friendship Centres is a national network of Indigenous-owned and operated civil society, not-for-profit, and service delivery organizations across Canada. The NAFC was established in 1972 to represent a growing number of Friendship Centres at the national level. Acting as a unifying body for the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM), the NAFC represents a network of over 100 Friendship Centres and Provincial-Territorial Associations across Canada.

With the influx of Indigenous urbanization beginning in the mid-1950s, Friendship Centres emerged out of a clear need for culturally grounded services to support Indigenous newcomers to the city. With the increased demand for services for urban First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, the number of Friendship Centres increased and the nature of their programming and services expanded. With a vast majority of Canada’s Indigenous population living in urban environments, Friendship Centres fill an essential gap in service provisions, as one of the few organizations directly catering to urban Indigenous needs in a status-inclusive model.

//

Mary O’Connell Director, Marketing & Communications, BGC Canada
moconnell@bgccan.com
For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at 736 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

TORONTO, ON, June 3, 2022 /CNW/ – To mark BGC Club Day, BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Club of Canada) is delighted to announce Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, as our Patron. 

As Canada’s largest child and youth-serving agency, BGC Canada welcomed Her Excellency’s appointment nearly one year ago as a meaningful step forward towards reconciliation. The BGC movement commits to supporting Indigenous children, youth and families, and we look forward to collaborating with Her Excellency to support all children and youth across Canada. 

“We are so pleased to welcome Mary Simon as Patron of BGC Canada. As the first Inuk and first Indigenous Governor General, she is a role model for children and youth across the country. Her Excellency’s Patronage continues her longstanding advocacy for children and education.” – Owen Charters, President and CEO of BGC Canada 

ABOUT BGC CANADA 

For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at 736 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity Changes Everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

This statement was written by members of BGC Canada’s National Youth Council (NYC). The NYC is a council comprised of youth across the country who give input on and reflect youth issues and goals. The NYC operates independently of BGC Canada.

As youth of BGC Clubs, we are concerned with policies and issues that urgently affect youth across the country. We welcome the creation of the State of Youth Report and its insights on key issues, including reconciliation, climate, health, employment, and leadership & skills building.

As settlers on Indigenous territory, we are concerned about systemic racism and the ongoing oppression of Indigenous youth and communities across Canada and its Nations. We echo the State of Youth Report’s call for non-Indigenous Canadians to adopt citizen responsibility and engage with the histories, cultures, and rights of the original caretakers of this land. We ask that the government uphold its promises and take concrete action through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including land back, in order to reconcile Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

As young people who will bear the costs of climate change, we are frustrated with governments and their lacklustre response to the ongoing climate crisis. Young people across this country and the world deserve to grow up in a clean, safe, and healthy environment. We echo the calls of the report and call on government to prioritize the advice of Indigenous elders and scientists over corporate interests, and to take immediate and serious action against industries responsible for emissions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many struggles that youth are facing throughout the country. With uncertainty in our lives, disruption in our education, termination or unavailability of employment, and disconnection from our supports, youth mental health is more important to address now than ever.

However, the support currently available is inadequate, especially in many smaller communities. Many feel the answer is technology, however these same communities lack consistent and stable Internet access and some youth do not have access to devices. Youth want and are willing to seek services to help with both their mental and physical health struggles, but need services that suit their unique needs.

The pandemic has exacerbated existing issues facing youth in leadership and employment. Youth across the country are struggling to find meaningful employment and leadership opportunities. Often, the youth who are most affected by the issues at hand are the ones who don’t have the platform to speak on them—for example, youth in rural and remote communities tend to have far fewer opportunities to discover and develop their leadership and employment abilities.

We agree with the State of Youth Report’s calls for greater investments in paid internship and employment opportunities that have career growth opportunities, as well as the need for a centralized database that collates leadership as well as employment opportunities for Canadian youth outside the difficult to use Canada Job Bank.

With the appointment of a new Cabinet, we look forward to the action the Honourable Minister of Youth will take on the recommendations of the State of Youth Report. It is crucial to empower and engage youth voices on key issues because when youth are able to grow and thrive through activism, better health outcomes, and employment security, they are better able to contribute to their communities, Clubs, and country.