Youth Advisory Committee
Background
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was formed in 2010 and consists of 12 youth in or from VACFSS care. The committee was formed to ensure that youth not only have a voice in their own care, but also in the larger care system that is designed to support them. The YAC also ensures that VACFSS holds a youth voice, and its policies and initiatives are informed by young people who have experienced care. The youths’ goal is to have every young Indigenous leader journey successfully from care into community. YAC is also committed to improving social work practice, and to continually developing their leadership and advocacy skills. The YAC holds interviews every year for two new members to join the committee; youth must be 16 years or older to apply!
The committee is made up of young Indigenous leaders with dynamic energy and passions as advocates, leaders, artists, and knowledge holders, who receive guidance from a range of family members, Elders, peers, and social workers. Within the care system, YAC members walk alongside social workers, Elders, and policy makers as mentors who guide them in best practices with children and youth. Each YAC member brings forth a unique set of skills and strengths that has led to the participation in a number of public speaking experiences, including workshops, conference presentations, keynote speeches, and other community engagement projects. Members of YAC have traveled nationally and internationally to speak, including presentations at conferences in Australia, Norway, and Taiwan. The YAC also engages with other youth advisories, including the provincial MCFD YAC, to plan events, participate in collaborative advocacy, and provide mentorship.
Our young, Indigenous leaders have advocated for the inclusion of youth voice within the care system through the creation and amendments to policy, the development and implementation of cultural programming, and the promotion of the rights of children in care, among other initiatives. YAC members are dedicated to the work they do as young leaders in the community, as they are passionate about making positive changes for Indigenous children and youth in care and creating space for youth voices. Our youth enjoy meeting with other Indigenous groups and peoples and learning about others’ experiences of colonization and their resistance to it. Colonial policies and practices have impacted and continue to impact Indigenous peoples from all over the world, thus the work that the VACFSS YAC engage in is educational, cultural, and includes acts of resistance.
Vision statement:
Every young Indigenous leader journeys successfully from care into community.
Mission statement:
YAC ensures that youth have a voice in their own care and that the whole care system that is designed to represent them.
Dori
My name is Dori and I am from Saskatchewan on my mom’s side and Vancouver Island on my father’s side. I joined YAC for my passion for working with youth in care and advocacy for Indigenous children in the system. YAC is important to me because we all are aiming for the same goals for YAC and the beautiful community. My hobbies are photography, travelling, cultural teachings, and surfing.
Tanisha
My name is Tanisha, I am from the Siksika Nation in Alberta and I am full Blackfoot First Nation. I joined YAC through my social worker and heard about it from her, since then I’ve been in YAC for 2 years. My favourite thing about YAC is connecting with other youth my age and sharing our stories. My hobbies are drawing, cooking, writing, and working out.
Nick
Hi my name is Nick and I am from the Líl̓wat Nation on my father’s side and European on my mother’s side.
I joined YAC because my personal social worker thought I would be good at it. YAC is important to me because of the leadership roles we take on such as presenting, supporting kids in care and the bigger Indigenous community. In my free time I love to play volleyball and ultimate frisbee. I also enjoy cooking, hiking, and chilling with my friends.
Ty
My name is Ty, I am from the Nuu-cha-nulth Nation and Richmond. I joined YAC after hearing about the work that we do and I got interested in helping youth in care. To me, YAC is not just some youth who meet, it’s a group of brilliant youth who advocate for better rights for youth in care, from simple birthday cards to letting kids see their personal care guide. My hobbies include playing games such as Honkai or Smash Bros, building Lego, and collecting gems and other trinkets.
Lexi
Hi! My name is Lexi and I’m from Vancouver. I joined YAC because I wanted to change the foster care system for the future youth.
My hobbies are reading, hanging out with my cat, and learning from our Elders.
Justice
My name is Justice and I’m from the Tsleil-waututh Nation and South Sudan. I am passionate about making foster care a better place. My hobbies are collecting shoes, gymnastics, reading, and Pilates.
Audrey
My name is Audrey and I am from Saskatchewan, Kawacatoose Nation. I joined YAC to help the future generation in the foster system and help them age out of care with the proper resources. I also joined to share my opinions. What YAC means to me is a safe environment to share your thoughts and opinions with others and learn new things. My hobbies include volleyball, basketball, working out, going on walks, cooking, eating, and skateboarding.
Payton
Greetings! My name is Payton and I am from the James Smith Cree Nation & KeeseeKoose First Nation. I joined YAC because it gives us children a chance to speak out and advocate for ourselves in the foster system. What I enjoy about YAC is that I get to socialize and explore new experiences with people near the same age and in the same situation as me. Hobbies of mine are reading, gardening, and walking!
Nicole
I’m Nicole, I’m from Anaheim and Williams Lake. I joined YAC because my social worker said I’d be good at it. YAC means family, community, connection, and laughter.
I like to play the guitar, write, and skateboard in my free time. I also enjoy reading and playing Legos.
Amber
My name is Amber and I am NIaka’Pamux, Syilx and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw. I joined YAC because I am passionate about making a difference and I want to prevent other youth from going through the things I’ve been through. My favourite part of YAC is traveling and also seeing the changes being put in place. I am doing a Bachelors Degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. I enjoy art, skateboarding, boxing, collecting stickers and going to concerts.
