August 4, 2009 - Update #6

I was in Niagara Falls (again) recently for the National Association of Friendship Centres Annual Youth Forum. I have been attending this forum for the last 9 years as a youth representative for my local Friendship Centre, President of the Aboriginal Youth Council and as a staff member of the NAFC. This year I was participating as the co-MC along with my good friend Rob Rittwage from Kingston, ON.

It felt really good to be asked to come back. So much of my life has revolved around this Youth Council and it really has been a positive experience.

I started when I was about 17 years old as someone who just came into the Timmins Native Friendship Centre. It was just a place where there was usually something to do. I started by volunteering as a receptionist, worked as the youth program assistant over a summer, then I ended up as the youth rep on the board of directors and started representing the centre at different provincial and national meetings with Friendship Centres.

9 years later, it’s great to see the Youth Council so strong and working hard to try and address the needs of Urban Aboriginal youth in Canada. I felt proud and honoured that they wanted me to come back to share some of my experiences and participate in the Forum.

-Jocelyn Formsma