What's happening at Youth Action Now?

Youth Action Now: Our Adventure Continues…

Youth Action Now, the youth and multiculturalism initiative brought to you by UCC-SPC, the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan and the Department of Canadian Heritage, will soon complete the last of 19 youth forums across Saskatchewan. Youth Action Now teams have visited the following communities: Yorkton, North Battleford, Unity, Meadow Lake, Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatoon, Kindersley, Rosthern, Regina, Swift Current, La Ronge, Hudson Bay, Wynyard, Moose Jaw and Gravelbourg. Remaining forums are slated for Yorkton, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

During the forums, YAN project leaders engage local youth in discussions on YAN’s three main outcomes: Multicultural Connectivity [engaging youth to get involved in multicultural activities], Multicultural Awareness = Opportunities [discussing skills and opportunities available in the multicultural sector], and Increased Global Perspectives. Participants are asked to their opinions on what is working well, what can be improved and what action can be taken.

In addition to the workshops, each forum features a Multicultural Showcase which highlights local multicultural groups. Past Showcase’s have featured Ukrainian, Aboriginal, Afro-Caribbean and Bhangra dancing, Tai-Chi lessons, school culture fairs, exchange student presentations and a fencing demonstration, along with presentations by local cultural activists, government leaders and much more!

Although each youth forum is unique, there are a number of similar ideas raised, they include: increased accessibility to a variety of language classes, multicultural days at schools, the inclusion of more multicultural components in school curricula, as well as having places where youth can meet to share culture. Highlights from each of the youth forums as well as information on how to register for up-coming YAN events can be found on the www.youthactionnow.ca website or call 306.652.0961

Stop. It’s Gathering Time!

That’s right – Youth Action Now’s forum finale: the largest youth event of Saskatchewan’s Centennial and the premier multicultural tradeshow of 2005 is coming soon. From April 29th – May 1st at the University of Regina over 200 youth leaders from across Saskatchewan representing nearly two dozen schools, many ethno-cultural groups as well as selected youth delegates from Manitoba, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories will meet with Saskatchewan’s movers and shakers. Why you ask? Well, the Gathering is our opportunity to discuss the ideas heard and collected at the 19 forums so that we can develop our Blueprint for Action for Saskatchewan’s multicultural future.

Gathering workshops will explore the issues and ideas that have come up while offering a forum for youth and Saskatchewan’s leaders to interact and work together. Gathering topics include: youth engagement; multiculturalism in the media; Saskatchewan’s changing cultural identity; doing business in the global village; why language learning; multiculturalism in education; 100 years of multicultural heart in Saskatchewan; exploring Canada and the world through exchanges and finally intercultural and interfaith opportunities. Sessions will feature Saskatchewan and national speakers and presenters; each one leading to recommendations on how we can “Shape Our Multicultural Future!” Sunday has been set aside for workshops where participants will look at ways of turning the recommendations into their own projects which could partner with YAN for funding.

Conference participants will be treated to several other events. On April 29th, in honour of International Dance Day and in conjunction with the University of Regina’s Arts Education Program, Youth Action Now is pleased to celebrate Saskatchewan’s ethno-cultural dance communities in a Opening Concert. This event is open to the public but tickets are limited. For ticket information, please contact info@youthactionnow.ca or call 306.652.0961.

The evening of April 30th, YAN is hosting a participant-only Cabaret featuring some of Saskatchewan’s finest contemporary cultural acts including Regina’s own Arkadia and, hopefully, Saskatchewan’s Ukrainian Idol, Theresa Sokyrka who will aim to bring the multicultural house down!! More announcements will follow.

On Sunday May 1st, Youth Action Now will close the Gathering with a SaskEnergy-sponsored BBQ lunch.

Wait – There’s More!!

Ever tried to Latin Dance? How about make a German pretzel? Ever written a Ukrainian Easter egg? Maybe played a game of Takraw? YAN’s Multicultural Expo is your chance to learn about Saskatchewan’s many cultures by experiencing them. As well as offering hands-on activities for you to try, multicultural organizations and community groups are being invited to host a display at the largest multicultural tradeshow in Saskatchewan’s history. Exhibits will highlight Saskatchewan’s diverse multicultural communities while, at the same time, offering visitors an opportunity to learn how to get involved. The Expo, taking place on Saturday April 30th is open to the public so come on out!

Wanna get involved or find out more? So, check our website at www.youthactionnow.ca or give us a call at 306.652.0961. See you at the Gathering.