Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth

Goals & Objectives

The CCAY Initiative is designed to create a network of urban Aboriginal youth centres to support and assist Aboriginal youth in enhancing their economic, social and personal prospects. The CCAY Initiatives serves the needs of urban Aboriginal youth aged 15 - 24 years regardless of status, culture or gender and where circumstances warrant may include Aboriginal children and youth ages 10 - 14 years or young Aboriginal adults aged 25 - 29 years.

Programme Summary

The CCAY Initiative has provided culturally-based programmes, services and activities to Urban Aboriginal youth since 1998. These programmes, based in Friendship Centres across the province are locally controlled and designed in conjunction with Aboriginal youth.

Focus on Success

Timmins Native Friendship Centre - 4 Directions Youth Group:

"The youth were invited to Cochrane Ontario CCAY program to be host drum for the Youth Gathering. The youth from Cochrane's Youth Center were invited to join 4 Directions Youth Drum Group during the evening of the Drumming Social. 4 Directions Youth Drum Group were good role models for the youth of Cochrane in showing them in how to drum around their Grandfather Drum. This was really touching to watch. They all were so proud of themselves and the town of Cochrane had great things to say about our future leaders."

Development

The UMAYC Initiative was to end March 31, 2010; a six year extension was granted until March 31 2016 by the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH). Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) is the new name of the programme effective April 01, 2010.