City’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy hosts 6th annual Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak Celebration

Winnipeg, MB – Today, fifty-five Aboriginal youth will receive 58 awards and recognitions at the 6th annual Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak Celebration. Honourees include recipients of the Next Step Award, Post-Secondary Scholarship, Aboriginal Scholarship and Service Award, and participants who have completed internships and work placements across the civic system.

Sixteen Next Step Awards will be presented to youth who have demonstrated commitment in taking their “next step” towards reaching their educational and/or employment goals. Each award up to $1,000 will assist with costs such as work equipment, school supplies, transportation, childcare or tuition. This grant is open to youth who have participated in programs offered by Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak’s partner organizations.

Ten Post-Secondary Scholarships will be presented to local Aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 and 30 who are registered at a post-secondary institution and have expressed interest in a career at the City of Winnipeg. Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be applied to their tuition.

Thirteen Aboriginal Scholarship and Service Awards will be presented to students in Grades 7 to 12 Winnipeg schools for their efforts in academic and community leadership. This program encourages students to stay in school and consider a post-secondary education towards careers found at the City of Winnipeg.

Nineteen youth will be recognized for completing internships and work placements in the following City departments: Audit, Corporate Finance, Corporate Support Services, Community Services, Planning, Property and Development, and Winnipeg Transit. These youth have been exposed to hands-on experience and mentorship in their various fields. Some of these youth have returned to post-secondary school or have gained further employment.

Event Details:
Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak Celebration

Date:	TODAY – Thursday, November 19, 2015
Time	5:30 p.m.
Location:	Neeginan Centre (formerly known as Aboriginal Centre of Winnipeg), 181 Higgins Avenue

Media are welcome to attend

Backgrounder:

Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak, the City of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy, was adopted by City Council in 2008 with a mission to give Aboriginal youth positive opportunities in the community and civic system by bridging and providing culturally appropriate programs and supports related to employment, literacy and recreation to increase resiliency, self-sustainability, pride and future opportunities. For more information on OAN, please visit City of Winnipeg – Aboriginal Youth.

The Aboriginal Relations Division was created in 2013 to provide leadership and experience from an Aboriginal perspective on civic programs, services, and initiatives that support and address the needs of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community now and into the future. Since its inception, Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak has been one of its key portfolios. Learn more about this division at City of Winnipeg – Aboriginal Relations.