Background Information

The Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) Initiative was originally a five-year initiative (1998-2003) designed to provide urban Aboriginal youth with a wide range of culturally based programs, services and activities that are locally controlled and designed in conjunction with Aboriginal youth.  These programs, services and activities will be structured in a manner that will empower Aboriginal youth to address the challenges they face and determine their own future with a sense of pride in a safe and culturally relevant environment.

UMAYC has been extended for two more years (2003-2004/2004-2005) to allow for a review/evaluation of the program to occur and for negotiations for continuation to be completed.

The primary goal of the UMAYC Initiative is to create a network of urban Aboriginal Youth centres to support and assist Aboriginal youth in enhancing their economic, social and personal prospects.

UMAYC Initiative Guiding Principles

The initiative operates under the following main guiding principles, that it:

• will serve the needs of urban Aboriginal youth, ages 15-24 years, regardless of status, culture or gender, and where circumstances warrant may include Aboriginal children and youth age 10-14 years, or young Aboriginal adults ages 25-29 years;
• will develop and implement Aboriginal community-driven plans, strategies and programs that focus on urban Aboriginal youth;
• will enhance the capacity of Aboriginal youth to lead and manage the Initiative;
• where possible, will not duplicate or replace, but build-on and complement existing Aboriginal, federal, provincial, territorial and local programs and services through partnerships and collaboration;
• will operate according to Generally Accepted Principles of Prudent Financial Management and Accountability, while at the same time allowing for an evolving management approach that learns from and shares successful, locally-based approaches; and
• will be managed through processes that are inclusive, transparent and accountable to Aboriginal youth and Aboriginal stakeholders, as well as the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Aboriginal organizations responsible for funding administration for the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Youth Involvement

The NAFC UMAYC Committee is composed of individuals whose primary concern is the health and well-being of urban Aboriginal Youth.  There are sixteen (16) Regional Representatives, eight (8) of whom are youth, from each of the following areas: the North: British Columbia; Alberta; Saskatchewan; Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec; and the Atlantic.  The Committee also includes representation from the NAFC Board of Directors and the NAFC Aboriginal Youth Council as non-voting Co-Chairs.