Winnipeg, MB - Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak (OAN), the City of Winnipeg's Aboriginal Youth Strategy, is gathering at the Clarion Hotel tonight to honour 64 Aboriginal youth. This includes Post-Secondary Scholarships, Aboriginal Scholarship & Service Awards, Next Step Awards, paid internships and work placements across civic departments, and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s Primary Care Paramedic training program.
“The accomplishments of this group of talented Aboriginal youth are truly inspiring,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “As Mayor and Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities, I am proud that the City is honouring these youth tonight as they serve as mentors and further inspiration to more youth in Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community and across the entire city for years to come.”
This year, five Post-Secondary Scholarships are awarded to youth between the ages of 15 and 30, who live in Winnipeg, are registered at a post-secondary institution and who expressed interest in a career at the City of Winnipeg. Scholarships are in the amount of $1,000 and are applied to tuition.
The Aboriginal Scholarship & Service Award is an expanded program which recognizes ten youth attending schools located in Winnipeg from grades 7-12, for their commitment in academic and community leadership. This program encourages students to stay in school and consider post-secondary education in careers found at the City of Winnipeg.
Next Step Awards are presented to 15 youth to reach their educational and/or employment goals by assisting with costs such as work equipment, school supplies, transportation, childcare or tuition. Each award is up to $1,000. This award is open to Aboriginal youth that participate in programs offered by community organizations that partner with OAN. These youth are nominated to receive these awards by their host organizations.
12 internships and six work placements provided youth with guidance and mentorship in a professional work environment. OAN partnered with various civic departments and divisions including Application & Data Services, Winnipeg Transit, Winnipeg Public Library, Assessment & Taxation, and Community Services to deliver internships. OAN partnered with Corporate Finance, Winnipeg Animal Services, and Community Services to deliver work placements.
16 Aboriginal youth graduated from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s Primary Care Paramedic training program which specializes in increasing the number of Aboriginal paramedics qualified to work for emergency medical service agencies in Manitoba.
Backgrounder:
Adopted by City Council in 2008, City of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy, Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak (OAN) is an innovative strategy designed to support Aboriginal youth in accessing positive recreational, learning and wellness opportunities and to develop additional opportunities towards employment in the community and civic system.
From 2009 to 2013, over 2000 Aboriginal youth participated in OAN funded community employment programs and civic engaged projects. For more information on OAN, please visit City of Winnipeg - Aboriginal Youth.