About the OFIFC – Indigenous Youth Council
The OFIFC Indigenous Youth Council (OFIFC – IYC) progressively works to increase youth involvement within Friendship Centres. The OFIFC – IYC provides youth representation at a provincial level, supports the needs and growth of urban Indigenous youth, and works to create opportunities for youth to succeed. Well also maintaining strong relationships with Elders, traditional people, mentors, each other, and the local communities.
The OFIFC – IYC commit to assisting in the planning and organization of the Annual Youth Elections Assembly (AYEA), and other Youth initiatives. Those activities allow the OFIFC – IYC to address the youth concerns, issues and wants as identified by the communities and the council members. Council members will also be responsible for producing regional reports, promoting, and advocating for youth leadership, as well as maintaining communications with the OFIFC Board of Directors, the Friendship Centres, and the Urban Indigenous Youth.
Members will also participate in trainings, represent the IYC in both internal and external committees, and taking part in other networking opportunities. The OFIFC – IYC continues to offer many opportunities to grow and develop the youth within the Friendship Centre movement.
Governance
The OFIFC – IYC is an eight-member council, that is elected yearly at the Annual Youth Gathering held in July. There are two regional representatives from each region, with one of the regional representatives (from each region) to sit on the OFIFC Board of Directors. Four members hold the Regional Representative positions which are elected by the Youth membership on a bi-annual base. The other four members hold Executive Committee positions and are elected by their fellow council members on a yearly base.
Regional Representatives Responsibilities
- Regional Representatives Responsibilities
- Attend meetings via conference calls, and in-person meetings
- Attend and actively participate in all OFIFC – IYC meetings.
- Ensuring youth concerns and issues are be identified and addressed.
- Maintain communications with IYC Executive Committee and the provincial youth members.
- Provide written and verbal reports
- Provide and promote youth related initiatives happening at local
- Friendship Centre.
Regional Representatives Responsibilities
Shall act with the full delegated authority of the full council in between meeting when necessary.
- Liaison between the IYC and the OFIFC Board of Directors.
- Attend all general and executive meetings.
- Provide reports to the OFIFC Board of Directors.
- Keep council updates on Executive activities
- Address concerns and related business as it arises within a timely manner
- Made up of four positions, each with specific roles and responsibilities:
- Communication Liaison, Northern Co Chair, Southern Co Chair, and Youth Executive
| Regional Representative | Name | Friendship Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Regional Representative | Trinity White | N’Amerind Friendship Centre |
| Southwest Regional Representative – OFIFC Youth Board Member | James Schlonies | M’Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre |
| Southeast Regional Representative | Ella Rose | Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre |
| Southeast Regional Representative – OFIFC Youth Board Member | Kenny Bomberry | Hamilton Regional Friendship Centre |
| Northwest Regional Representative | VACANT | VACANT |
| Northwest Regional Representative – OFIFC Youth Board Member | Lindsey Sportak | Thunder Bay Friendship Centre |
| Northeast Regional Representative | Mackenzie Innes | Timmins Native Friendship Centre |
Northeast Regional Representative – | Kalah Rayne Pottier | N’Swakamok Friendship Centre |
| Executive Committee | Name |
|---|---|
| Southern Co – Chair | TBD |
| Northern Co – Chair | TBD |
| Communication Liaison | TBD |
| Youth Executive (OFIFC Executive Committee Member) | Ella Rose |
History of the IYC
The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) Indigenous Youth Council (IYC) conception began in 2002-2003. A youth steering committee (SC) was created develop the youth council. The SC had decided that the council would be structure but without hierarchal positions. Thia was to ensure the inclusive of all youth and allow each position to be equally important. The SC held the responsibility to develop the original OFIFC-IYC Terms of Reference, which includes the mission statement, mandate, goals and objectives, definitions/abbreviations, membership qualifications, standards of performance, commitment to responsibilities, and the elections process. The SC acted as a resource for a one-year period and was dissolved once the first OFIFC-IYC Executive Committee was elected.