Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council concludes first visit to Ottawa
Youth met with various MPs and national leaders to discuss truth and reconciliation, youth engagement.
(Simcoe-North), Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole, and others.
Front Row: Youth Councillor Sasha Sylvester, Cynthia King
Back Row: Youth Councillor Robin Louttit, Youth Chief Terra Roy, M.P. Bruce Stanton, Youth Councillor Avery Sandy, Melodie Monague, Deputy Youth Chief Lance Copegog
OTTAWA, ON (May 5, 2017) – The Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council has concluded its first official visit to Ottawa. The youth leadership of Beausoleil First Nation has spent the first week of May meeting with various Members of Parliament, high-level government officials, diplomats from the American embassy, and other national leaders on matters of importance to their constituents.
Among the many important meetings the Youth Council attended, they were most inspired by a high- level meeting with M.P. Peter Schiefke, the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Secretary on Youth, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs’ staff, and Prime Minister’s Office officials. They discussed advancing the promise of truth and reconciliation, including youth in the political decision-making process, and national Indigenous issues.
Autumn Peltier, who notably confronted Prime Minister Trudeau at the 2016 Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs’ Assembly, accompanied the youth leaders. Peltier impressed the government officials present with an eloquent and inspiring presentation on protecting the environment, particularly the water.
In June, Beausoleil First Nation will host a Gathering on Truth and Reconciliation on Christian Island, Ontario, where federal and provincial leaders will gather to advance truth and reconciliation. The Youth Council will be leading the event.