Nuu-chah-nulth youth from 14 to 24 years of age are being invited to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program.
It’s a self-directed leadership program focusing on community service, physical recreation, skill development and self-discovery, in conjunction with an adventure journey. Candidates can participate individually or as a group.
“His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex Prince Edward, who will become the new Duke of Edinburgh after his father, has expressed deep concern about Aboriginal peoples in Canada after reading the special envoy reports to the UN on the status of Aboriginal people and their communities," said Executive Director, Sushil Saini, with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award British Columbia Yukon division. "He has strongly encouraged the Award program to support and engage Aboriginal communities and their youth. Our work in the BC & Yukon Division is to develop relationships with Aboriginal communities and create youth engagement that is based on respect and celebration of Aboriginal youth and their culture.”
Odette Laramee is the Aboriginal Engagement Officer for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award B.C. and Yukon Branch. She is currently recruiting interest among Nuu-chah-nulth nations.
“I have been meeting primarily with individuals in organizations and First Nations offices that work with youth – part of a proper protocol to meet with the leaders. Should they choose, they can present the program to youth,” she said.
Recent meetings have included youth and/or education workers with Tseshaht, Hupacasath, Ucluelet and Ahousaht First Nations, as well as the Port Alberni Friendship Centre.
Laramee emphasizes that each participant designs his or her own goals and activities, and identifies an assessor in each category to record their achievements.
“We don’t actually offer programming – we offer an award,” Laramee said. “It’s a non-competitive award. You choose to become involved.”
Candidates may already be involved in an organized sport, she explained. Then it is simply a matter of recording their hours of activity and having it verified by an assessor.
They may already take part in extended hiking or kayaking journeys that meet the criterion. They may already take part in organized community service. By logging that experience, it all becomes part of the award process.
“Also, if there are things you are dreaming of doing, like learning a traditional craft, it is a structure where you can go to an auntie or an uncle and say, ‘Could you show me this? Can we meet for an hour a week?’ I think the structure often opens those lines of communication.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was created in 1956 and has been running in Canada for the past 50 years. The Award currently operates in 143 countries worldwide.
There are three levels to the award. Bronze is open to youth 14 and older and runs for six months in total, with a requirement for a two-day/one night adventure journey.
Silver is open to youth 15 and older and runs 12 months (three-day/two night journey), while Gold is for 16 and older and runs 18 months (four-day/three night adventure journey or a five-day residential experience.
“At each level, the candidates can earn two credits towards their high school graduation, for a total of six credits. And the award is well recognized, so for a job application, or for a college or university entrance application… very helpful.”
Part of the process is public recognition. At the Bronze level, it is a community event. The Silver Award is presented at the Lt. Governor’s residence.
“And at the Gold level, it’s the Royals who hand it out. The Duke of Edinburgh used to travel a lot to give out the award,” Laramee said, adding that the younger Royals have taken over much of that duty.
Laramee, who holds a Master’s degree in Education (Community Leadership and Adult Learning) from the University of Victoria, has worked extensively with B.C. First Nations, most recently with the Tillicum Lelum Friendship Centre in Nanaimo and with Snuneymuxw First Nation.
In her own career, Laramee has never shied away from a challenge. Her resume includes a wide variety of experiences, ranging from delivering HIV/AIDS education in Swaziland using 12-foot puppets, to teaching English to female academics at Princess Nora Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
If you would like to nominate a candidate, or if you are 14 to 24 and would like to take part in the program, Laramee suggests either contacting the youth/education department of your own nation, or get in touch with the B.C. Yukon chapter at 1-250-385-4232 or by email at bcyk@dukeofed.org.
Check out their website at www.dukeofed.org/bc or on Facebook at dukeofedbcyukon.
