MANITOBA FIRST NATION YOUTH COUNCIL:
STARTING YOUR OWN COMMUNITY YOUTH COUNCIL

Overview

Vision is defined as "the act of power of seeing".

Vision expresses what members of a community want their community to be like in the future. It imagines the way of life of future generations if the community were to achieve everything it wanted. You must remember that a vision is not a plan. Vision is a projection of an image in the future, a portrait of one's desired personal and community way of life.

In this exercise you will be taking a holistic approach when you consider the vision of your Youth Council. You will reflect on the future ideas of the political, economic, social, and cultural conditions you desire for the Council. You will do this from three perspectives; personal, community and provincial.

In guiding your vision you will use the principles identified in the Traditional First Nation Code of Ethics to serve as a central reference point to ensure common values and principles are followed. Briefly summarized, they are; Honour, Respect, Trust, Care, Balance and Wisdom.

The results of this visioning exercise may serve as a guide to achieve the short and long-term objectives of your Youth Council. A total of thirteen questions are presented.

Exercise

I. POLITICAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL VISION

The political and organizational structures are the present governing bodies which make decisions and advocate on your behalf at the community, provincial, and federal level. Often times the various bodies that govern us are separated into different program, geographical, and service areas.

1. Do you vision your Youth Council as a political body representing the interests of your community's Youth or do you vision your Youth Council as an advocating body working with existing political structures and organizations?

2. Where do you vision yourself and your role in your Youth Council?

3. Where do you vision your community and their role in your Youth Council?

II. ECONOMIC VISION

As a starting point when you consider your economic vision you will view areas such as;
business development and the employment and training of your people.

1. What is your vision of your Youth Council and the relation to economic development? ie.. Promote business development among youth.

2. How would you vision your Youth Council impacting the Youth in your community in the area of economic development?

3. How would you as an individual vision yourself in terms of impacting a contribution to your family and your community? ie. Higher standard of living.

4. How would you vision the Youth in your community and their relation to training and employment?

III. SOCIAL VISION

In the context social vision you consider areas such as; caring for one another, healing of your people, healthy life in your communities, community recreation, self-esteem, social issues (drugs, alcohol, violence, crime), and education.

1. What would be the ideal vision of the social development in your community?

2. How do you vision your Youth Council playing a role in the development of ideal social conditions in your community?

3. Where do you vision yourself as a Youth contributing towards to the ideal social conditions of your community?

IV. CULTURAL VISION

In the context cultural vision you consider areas such as; your language, traditions, beliefs, religion, spirituality, and arts.

1. What is your vision of your Youth Council in relation to culture?

2. What is your vision of the culture in your community?

3. Where do you vision yourself as a Youth in the area of culture?

VI. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL

Overview

An organization is defined as "an administrative and functional structure" and "the act or process of being organized". Structure is defined as "something arranged in a definite pattern of organization" and "the action of building".

Exercise

Your task is to look at the various options which will most effectively and fairly serve and represent your Youth. In determining the organizational structure of your Youth Council you will discuss, comment, and provide suggestions as to the best option to select.

You should also keep in mind that you presently have varying organizations and structures who will be interested partners in this initiative. You must respect and work along with those if you are to be successful.

VII. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Overview

A role is "a function or part performed in a particular operation or process". Responsibility is defined as "something for which one is responsible".

In terms of an organization, roles and responsibilities may be defined as "your assigned duties and areas for which you are responsible".

Exercise

In this exercise you will have the opportunity to present options as to the various roles and responsibilities of the;

Youth Council Body which is comprised of the various youth interest groups in your community. This body would consist of a representatives of both male and female, local and urban, disabilities, etc.

Youth Secretariat Staff who would perform the day to day operations of the Council.

1. What are the expected roles and responsibilities of your Youth Council?

2. What are the expected roles and responsibilities of the members of your Youth Council?

3. In your opinion, what do you see as the roles and responsibilities of the Advisory Committee as it relates to your Youth Council and the Youth Secretariat?

4. In your opinion, what do you see as the roles and responsibilities of the Youth Secretariat as it relates to your Youth Council?

VIII. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

As you grow and learn you will encounter a variety of challenges. It may be helpful to identify the challenges you foresee so that you may be better prepared to overcome them. While meeting your challenges it may also be helpful for you to identify your strengths as Youth and your Youth Council.

1. In your opinion what challenges do you foresee your Youth Council facing?

2 As a First Nations Youth, what are your biggest challenges?

3. What would be the biggest strengths of your Youth Council?

4. What strengths/skills do you possess?

5. What are your common goals towards addressing Youth Training and Employment?

6. What are the necessary components of a community strategy to address youth and employment ?

7. What challenges are your Youth faced with in the area of Training and Employment?

8. What are some solutions to addressing the challenges you are faced with?