The Centre for Native Policy and Research

Project Description: The Centre for Native Policy and Research (CNPR) is a non-partisan social justice, progressive Aboriginal think-tank focused on the social, economic, and environmental policy and research concerns of Aboriginal people in British Columbia and Canada.

Core funding for CNPR allowed the organization to continue their ongoing research on a variety of subjects pertinent to the Aboriginal community and to communicate their research findings to the public through various publications. The funding also allowed CNPR to host an Aboriginal Youth Forum in order to encourage youth engagement on issues of social and economic policy, as well as an Aboriginal Community Forum and an Aboriginal Policy and Research Dialogue Conference

Successes: Some of the indicators of success CNPR has had include making great progress in such a short time, completing the work they had set out and producing quality work, having overwhelming support by and within the community, getting acknowledgement by partners and peers, and being asked to take on an important national research project. In addition, CNPR has also formed a broad range of partnerships with community members, governmental organizations, research bodies, etc. Accomplishments include:

• The First Annual Policy Forum for Aboriginal Youth, held on Aug. 17th, 2005 at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, was a tremendous success. Almost 100 youth from the surrounding area gathered for an interactive and engaging day.
• To monthly editions of the CNPR E-Communique and CNPR’s Monitor have been established and have been sent to the membership, associates, partners and other interested parties.

Project Amount: 2005/2006- $253,707

2010 Olympics Legacies Now – Aboriginal Youth Talent ID and Sport Fit Programs

Project Description: In partnership with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Organizing Committee and 2010 Legacies Now, 2010 Legacies Now organized athlete talent identification and sport participation events for the urban Aboriginal community in the Greater Vancouver.

The goal of these events is to increase physical activity and awareness of sport for urban Aboriginal youth. Both program had leadership components that provided the urban Aboriginal community the tools to continue these program. A full time contract position has been hired from the Aboriginal community to oversee the project and has now obtained a full-time position with 2010 Legacies Now.

Project Amount: 2005/2006- $49,900

Successes:

• Two camps were conducted within the Greater Vancouver area during the 2006 Spring Break. The first camp was held on March 13th at Guildford Park Secondary School in Surrey, BC and involved 30 participants. The second camp was held on March 15th at Britannia Community Centre, a central location to accommodate all participants, in Vancouver BC and involved 50 participants.
• The feedback by athletes and staff, who completed surveys at the end of the day, was positive with all participants leaving with a great feeling. Every athlete stated that they learned something new, and felt that their abilities were challenged. Many athletes also inquired about when the next camps would take place so they can attend again.
• The Urban Aboriginal Sports Challenges were a great success within the Greater Vancouver area. 2010 Legacies Now has received requests over the phone, and through e-mail stating that they would love to see the camps continue in other areas of the Province and perhaps in other areas of the country.

Public Awareness and Mentorship Project

Project Description: The Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS) in partnership with Numa Communications developed and delivered an Urban Aboriginal Awareness Campaign.

Members of the Greater Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Strategy (GVUAS) and Aboriginal youth from the community received media skills training from Numa Communications, to be better able to work with and respond to the media, and create awareness of initiatives in the urban Aboriginal community. They also learned networking skills to develop contacts and establish community partners. The youth also enhanced their employability from being introduced to various media and communications careers.

A variety of activities were undertaken in the area of media relations, one of which included identifying good news stories of urban Aboriginal initiatives (that fall within the four themes of health, homelessness, youth, and arts and culture in addition to three themes of business, general and politics) and releasing them throughout the GVRD through direct, targeted media relations.

Project Amount: 2005/2006-$136,500

Successes:

• A total of 12 youth representatives completed the January 16, 2006 media training session while another 10 completed the second phase-mentorship and guidance-component. Mentorship opportunities included organizations such as The BC Olympic Games Secretariat, Vancouver Art Gallery, the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Tourism BC Pacific Newspaper Group. The participants represented 8 different Aboriginal organizations in the Greater Vancouver Area.
• A total of 16 community representatives from the GVUAS Steering Committee were in attendance at the January 17, 2006 Media Training Session.
• The culmination of the Youth Mentorship program was a special event held on March 31, 2006. All youth participants took part in planning, and execution of the event under the guidance of Beverley O’Neil, President of Numa Communications Ltd. At the graduation, youth were recognized for their successful completion of the program and 80 invited guests were in attendance.
• 17 urban Aboriginal related articles were identified from various local Vancouver newspapers between December 2005-May 2006 and reached a total audience of over 2 million readers.