The Parry Sound Make a Connection Canada initiative is part of the national Make a Connection Canada program, which aims to strengthen the personal and social skills of First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth ranging from 5 to 18 years of age in 15 communities across the country. Make a Connection in Canada aims to empower more than 15,000 Aboriginal youth with skills such as improved communication, conflict resolution, respect for self and others, goal setting and community involvement. Canada is the 12th country to be a part of Make a Connection - a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia.

 

"Parry Sound needs a program to encourage our youth to set educational, life and career aspirations and balances for themselves for the present and future, " says Wendy Pegahmagabow, Executive Director of the Parry Sound Friendship Center in Parry Sound, Ontario. "We noticed that our youth have lost touch with their cultural heritage. Involving them in their community through cultural activities reconnects them with their roots and provides them with traditional life skills teachings to fall back on during life's challenges."

 

Activities led by Aboriginal adults will inform youth about self-awareness, self-reliance, good working habits, career choices, and Aboriginal self-sufficiency. Parents will benefit from parallel presentations that will instruct them on how to support their children after they complete the program.  Activities such as a 'Sweat Lodge' program, 'Drum Workshop', and a 'Clan Feast' will combine traditional and mainstream teachings to bridge relationships within membership of the life cycle - children, youth, parents, grandparents.  First Nations' teachings address body, mind and spirit development and well-being by encompassing the Seven Grandfather Teachings of love, respect, humility, courage, honesty, truth and wisdom. 

 

"Make a Connection Canada will be unique to each location, " says Joanne McQuiggan, Executive Director of Lions-Quest. "The Parry Sound program involves youth mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally with their culture. They will connect with themselves, their peers, their parents and their community while learning valuable life skills through culturally significant activities."

 

Make a Connection Canada will launch three pilot sites in 2003 - Parry Sound, Ontario; Kamloops, British Columbia; and Whitehorse, Yukon.

 

About Make a Connection
Make a Connection is a global, multi-year joint initiative between the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people an opportunity to "make a connection" to their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves. The program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them life skills and helps them to make a positive contribution to their societies. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org

 

About Lions-Quest
Lions-Quest is an initiative of Lions Clubs International Foundation to teach life skills to youth. Lions-Quest provides services and resources to educators and other adults who work with youth ages 5-19. The goal is to help youth build responsibility and resiliency - the ability to face and overcome life's difficulties - and resist the lure of negative behaviors. Each year, programs developed by Lions-Quest reach more than two million young people in 30 countries, primarily through school-based programs. More information on Lions-Quest can be found at www.lions-quest.ca

 

About International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is one of the world's largest public foundations focused on children and youth. IYF is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the conditions and prospects for young people where they live, learn, work, and play. Since its founding in 1990, IYF has worked with hundreds of companies, foundations, and non-governmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships. Currently operating in nearly 50 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped more than 23 million young people gain the skills, training and opportunities critical to their success. More information on IYF can be found at www.iyfnet.org

 

About Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and service the company creates. Through its partnership with IYF and through other regional philanthropic and social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for many years, with Nokia employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of programs throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com

 

For more information contact:
 
Joanne McQuiggan,
Executive Director
Lions-Quest Canada
Phone 1-800-265-2680

 

Mary Lynden,
Marketing Communications Manager

Nokia Canada
Phone (905) 619-4383

E-mail mary.lynden@nokia.com