Anishinabek Education System welcomes inaugural Youth Council

NIPISSING FIRST NATION, ON (April 20, 2023) – The Kinoomaadziwin Education Body (KEB) held its 8th annual Niigaan Gdizhaami Forum from April 4-5, 2023, in Baawaating (Sault Ste. Marie), where the inaugural Youth Council for the Anishinabek Education System (AES) was elected.

Thirty youth participants from the AES gathered to learn about the traditional Anishinabek election process and its accompanying ceremonies from Electoral Officer Gary Dokis and Knowledge Keeper Chop Waindubence. Once the youth understood the traditional process, they offered semaa (tobacco) to peers they wished to nominate to council.

Youth were elected to the Council in each of the four Regional Education Councils of the AES, either by acclamation or by using the traditional stand-up election process. Eleven Youth Council members were elected to a one-year term, with one position remaining vacant. Following the elections, the new members of the Council appointed one individual to lead the Council as Gimaa (Chief).

Cailen Hanzlik of Nipissing First Nation was selected as the AES Youth Council Gimaa Kwe (woman).

“It is an honour to be elected Gimaa Kwe of the AES Youth Council,” said Hanzlik, a third year Indigenous Social Work student at Laurentian University. “I am excited to work with the AES, the KEB, and my fellow peers to include youth voices in decision-making related to our education.”

The election process was completed with a traditional Blanket Ceremony and a welcoming procession from more than 150 participants at the Niigaan Gdizhaami Forum. The Youth Council will hold its first meeting in May to discuss their next steps moving forward.

The AES website will host regular updates on Youth Council activities throughout the year. Keep informed by visiting the AES Youth Council webpage.

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The Kinoomaadziwin Education Body (KEB) is the central administrative structure for the Anishinabek Education System.  The organization is lead by a 14-member Board of Directors and takes direction from the Participating First Nations. The KEB supports the implementation of educational priorities and manages education relationships with Canada and Ontario. 

For additional information, please contact:

Andrea Crawford
Senior Operations Manager
Kinoomaadziwin Education Body
705-845-3634
andrea.crawford@a-e-s.ca