The Provincial Aboriginal Youth Council (PAYC) started in 2000 at a meeting in Vernon, BC of a dynamic and energetic group of Aboriginal youth. The purpose of the meeting was to find a way for youth to start actively participating in the Friendship Centre Movement. The next time PAYC met was in Vancouver in 2001, where the council started to develop their Terms of Reference. These Terms of Reference were brought forward to the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Board of Directors and passed in principle. Over the next couple meetings PAYC developed their Terms of Reference further, introducing the age group permitted, drug and alcohol policies, and guidelines for the election process.
In November 2001 PAYC received their first Urban Multi-purpose Aboriginal Youth Centre (UMAYC) slippage funding. PAYC used the slippage to build capacity, as they still do today. In February 2002, PAYC structured their first PAYC Executive Positions. At this time it was noted that PAYC only had one vote at the BCAAFC Board of Directors, and PAYC wanted to be more involved with board decisions. Furthermore, at this meeting PAYC decided on their logo and resolved to develop their own website.
The next time PAYC met was very significant and changed the structure of the BCAAFC Board of Directors. Not only did PAYC get 4 more votes at the board table, they turned their Executive positions to an Executive committee and the committee members held the votes at the Board of Directors table. Another topic at the meeting was holding another Youth Conference. Since the past two pervious conferences were a success they felt it was important to have another one.
Over time PAYC continued to strive, break barriers and support Aboriginal youth across BC within the Friendship Centre Movement. PAYC got major support and guidance from the BCAAFC Board of Directors, staff and elders. PAYC couldn't have come this far without its dedicated young members.
Past PAYC Members:
Courtenay: Emily Parker, Kyle Hollings
Duncan: Larissa Johnny
Fort St. John: Crystal Hopkins, Vivian Benson
Houston: Sherry Faulk
Kelowna: Renee Hetu,
Merritt: Kris Antoine
Mission: Clarissa Borden
Nanaimo: Tanya George, Soren Poulsen
Penticton: Russ Baker
Port Alberni: Richard Samuel, Caroline Thompson
Prince George: Robin Chouinard,
Prince Rupert: Mitchell Tolmie
Quesnel: Michelle Irwin
Terrace: Vivian Benson, Keane Stewart
Vernon: Quatahin Bonneau, David Cullen, Jodi Bremner
Victoria: Jeanette Mercer, Priscilla Bartlemen, Arthur Charlie, Megan Clarkson
Williams Lake: Kerry Chelsea
|
