1. Intergovernmental Network (IGN) on Nishnawbe Aski Nation Children & Youth Overall Purpose of the IGN: to help coordinate& strategize the efforts, knowledge and resources of the IGN table to effectively address the issues contributing to First Nation Youth suicide and the high rates within NAN First Nations.

2. History of the IGN (Intergovernmental Network) Mid-1990’s – series of NAN Youth Suicide Forums December 1999 - Jury of the Coroner’s Inquest into the suicide death of 15 year old Selena Sakanee from Neskantaga First Nation, endorsed the recommendations of the NAN Youth Forum on Suicide, and made 40 additional recommendations 2000 – Intergovernmental Committee (Network) formed and tasked by Provincial Deputies with implementing recommendations of Inquest Jury 2004 - the IGC (IGN) underwent an evaluation regarding its structure and function Currently – the IGN…(highlight current achievements)

3. Membership/Structure IGN Mandate The IGN is: A collaborative forum for the parties involved to meet, coordinate and problem-solve, specifically in response to the issue of Aboriginal Youth suicide Both a vehicle and a strategy through which governments and First Nation communities can collaborate and cooperate IGN membership includes representatives from three levels of government: Federal, Provincial and First Nation leadership IGN structure is sectoral, including gov’t and FN reps from social services, health, education, housing, justice, employment and economic development and recreation sectors

4. Partnerships  Intergovernmental Network (IGN) is a network of Partners and partnerships.  Collaborative funding efforts between Partners who fund IGN projects have enabled us to maximize our efforts.  We all want to lend a hand but no one Partner can tackle these issues alone.  Together we are making a difference. The following chart illustrates the collaborative funding efforts for the Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior program in ten communities...

5. Project:Partnerships and Collaborations: Confirmed Dollars: Funding Years: Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior Ministry of Children & Youth Services Health Canada Ministry of Health Promotion’s : Healthy Communities Fund Ontario Women’s Directorate Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund $155,000 $150,000 $120,000 $ 60,000 $ 30,000 2010-12 2010-2012 2010-2011 Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior Ministry of Children & Youth Services Health Canada Ministry of Health Promotion’s : Healthy Communities Fund Ontario Women’s Directorate Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation $155,000 $150,000 $ 60,000 $ 30,000 $ 2,500 2007-08-09 2008-09 2007-08-09 2007-2008

6. Lessons Learned An understanding that:  this is a work in progress  externally-driven approaches don’t work  community-driven strategies do work  young people are involved in all effective solutions  change needs to occur at all levels  no one thing works everywhere or every time  there are no quick fixes; this is a lengthy process  there will be slippage (two steps forward, one step back) First Nation Delay  we don’t always know why things work or why they don’t work We continue to look for opportunities to improve …

7. Next Steps... The current perception that community –level capacity will fail to produce the expected deliverables in funding agreements. There is some First Nation delay, Nishnawbe Aski Nation neutralizes this issue by assisting NAN communities with the deliverable obligations. NAN’s role is to continue to build this community capacity. NAN has the infrastructure and expertise to assist First Nation communities build capacity.

8. Next Steps... NAN continues to seek funding from non-governmental sources. We are currently being funded in part by the Anglican Churches’ Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and in the past by Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Oshkaatisak Council & Development Office is restructuring their Youth Foundation and the anticipated date for the resuming of operations is the Winter of 2011.

9. E xisting Challenges  Complexity and interconnectedness of the issues  Distance, geography, weather, travel costs  Balancing the differing priorities of various Partners  Partners do not all equally share access to resources  Maximizing effective use of resources  Attempting to implement a multi-year plan without multi-year funding

10. What We Need Partnerships, Funding, Ideas and Assistance... We need more partnerships…  Perhaps Aboriginal Youth Suicide is not in your mandate?  The IGN deals with a gambit of social issues with only one end resulting in Youth Suicide  There are many factors leading to this end, factor such as; poverty, lack of educational opportunities, family violence, drug and alcohol use/misuse and prescription drug abuse, gangs and lack of recreation activities to name a few. We have Ideas and You have the Assistance we need…we can find ways to fit your Organization’s Mandate!

11. Oshkaatisak Council & Development Office  NAN Youth Council – is now the NAN Oshkaatisak Council  NAN Decade for Youth & Development (2000-2009) is now the Oshkaatisak Council & Development Office  Programs initiated by the Oshkaatisak Council & Development Office:  Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior (Youth Resiliency Program)  NAN Recreation Resource Manual  Seven Sacred Teachings Annual Youth Gathering

12. Background of Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior  Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization (PTO) representing 49 First Nation communities in Northern Ontario  32 of these communities are considered remote meaning accessible by air alone.

15. Unique Challenges Geographic isolation Poverty & unemployment High sexual abuse rate/zero tolerance policy Very high youth female suicide rate Lack of infrastructure in communities Very large youth population, 68% of NAN under 29 Lack of social justice activities & social programs for girls and boys Lack of access to cultural foundation teaching Gas sniffing & Prescription drug use epidemic in some communities

16. Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior  Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior programs currently in ten communities  Ten communities are to mentor to another neighbouring community  The ten First Nation communities identified as having the greatest need to support youth resiliency include: Deer Lake, Kashechewan, Mishkeegogamang, Moose Cree, Muskrat Dam, Neskantaga, North Caribou, Sandy Lake, Wahgoshig, and Wapekeka First Nations.

17. Investment in NAN Youth The Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior programs demonstrate our commitment to Youth. We assist in Youth development by encouraging: Youth empowerment Decision Making by Youth Youth Resiliency Self esteem in Youth

18. Resource Manuals Information is geared to 8-16 year old Youth Successful Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior programs in ten communities Use a peer-to-peer model Create a safe and fun environment for youth Girls’ feedback has been very positive www.nandecade.ca Wolf Spirit Warrior Manual is currently being edited and will soon be distributed

19. Thank You For more information please contact: Corinne Fox, Director of Intergovernmental Network for Nishnawbe Aski Nation Children & Youth cfox@nan.on.cacfox@nan.on.ca Jacki Alto, Girl Power Wolf Spirit Warrior Program Coordinator jalto@nan.on.cajalto@nan.on.ca