VICTORIA - The Province is inviting Aboriginal youth to apply for a new internship program that will open up opportunities for employment and training within the BC Public Service, Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

"We want to engage Aboriginal youth to consider choosing the public service as a career and provide them an opportunity to develop their leadership abilities," said Chong. "The work experience and mentoring support offered through this program will help them increase their knowledge and skills, opening doors to future learning and career development."

Through the new Aboriginal Youth Internship Program, 10 Aboriginal youth will be assigned to government ministries for nine months of work experience, immediately followed by three months of work experience in selected Aboriginal organizations.

"Government is committed to closing the social and economic gaps that exist between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians," said de Jong. "Through this program, we're providing opportunities for Aboriginal youth to develop skills and abilities and to build future careers in the BC Public Service."

The government engaged with the following First Nations and Métis organizations, communities and youth to help guide the development of the program: BC Assembly of First Nations; First Nations Summit; Union of BC Indian Chiefs; Métis Nation British Columbia; and the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective as represented by the BC United Métis Youth Circle, Building Our Legacy Together, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres - Provincial Aboriginal Youth Council, Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association, First Nations Youth Caucus and United Native Nations Youth Governance.

"The opportunity to attain a working knowledge of the legislative and government management processes will undoubtedly provide a valuable learning experience for our youth. This initiative will ultimately assist in building the capacity of Aboriginal communities and organizations into the future," said Dave Porter, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive. "The Aboriginal internship initiative will also be an important step in increasing Aboriginal participation in the public service."

"This initiative will provide a great opportunity for many of the future leaders of our communities," said British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shawn Atleo. "Those youth that participate in this program will no doubt gain experiences that will be invaluable to them in their future endeavours."

"This program will provide excellent learning opportunities and work experience to Métis youth in our province," said Tresley Tourond, Métis Nation British Columbia Minister Responsible for Youth. "These internships will benefit not only our Métis youth, but our communities and our Nation. Métis Nation British Columbia is proud to participate in this program and looks forward to seeing its positive outcomes."

"The Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective has played a pivotal role in the development of the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program," said the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective. "We see this program as an important step in strengthening the relationship between Aboriginal youth and the Province."

The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program was developed in partnership by the BC Public Service Agency and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. The program reflects the Province's commitment through the Pacific Leadership Agenda to build a new relationship with First Nations and Aboriginal people and close gaps in health, housing, education, and economic opportunities.

For more information on the program and how to apply, visit the Province's website at:
www.bcpublicservice.ca/AboriginalYouthInternship/