FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2018
Atlantic Canadian indigenous youth heading overseas for international internship
Halifax, NS- Six Indigenous youth from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will be traveling to Cambodia, Guyana and Kenya in October for a four-month international internship.
Camryn Sock and Maisyn Sock from Eskasoni, Owen Gould and Roman Levi from Waycobah, Dakota Francis from Pictou Landing, and Cassidy McKellop from Lennox Island were selected from candidates across Canada to participate program called International Internships for Indigenous Youth Program (IIIY). A total of 20 indigenous youth from across Canada will be working and living overseas through the program.
In the Atlantic the program involves the Confederation of Mainland Mi’kmaq, the Native Council of PEI and GPI Atlantic.
Dakota Francis will be working on Research and Communications in Cambodia with the Thai Volunteer Service.
Camryn Sock will be working on Career Guidance in Guyana with the Volunteer Youth Corps Inc.
Cassidy McKellop, Owen Gould, Roman Levi, and Maisyn Sock will be working on Preserving Traditional/Elders’ Knowledge, the Community Water Wells Project, and Wildlife Conservation with Run for Life and the Rift Valley Resource Centre.
“I wanted to go to Kenya to explore the world more and have new and fun experiences during my gap year between high school and university. Also I don’t know what I want to study yet so exploring and experiencing new things might help me find what I would want to study in university or college”, said Cassidy McKellop.
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As part of the International Internships for Indigenous Youth Program (IIIY), hosted by the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) and the Northern Council for Global Cooperation (NCGC), this position is among 20 internships in five countries this year: Costa Rica, Guyana, Nepal, Cambodia, and Kenya. Over the next five years, ACIC and NCGC will support 100 indigenous youth interns by providing opportunities to gain transferable skills, learn about key development issues in their own communities and abroad, explore education and career pathways in the field of international development. This program will also strive to build confidence and experience in public engagement, and build networks in the international development sector and their own communities that will allow them to put their skills and passion to work for positive change.
This program is made possible through federal funding from Global Affairs Canada and generous private sponsorship from Klondike Travel, Air North and Canadian North. Find more information about the program here www.acic-caci.org/acic-internships.
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For more information and interviews with youth, please contact:
Janelle Frail
Communications and Membership Officer, ACIC
902-431-2311
E-mail: communications@acic-caci.org
Website: www.acic-caci.org
Facebook:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACIC
Backgrounder:
The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and institutions working in the Atlantic region, which are committed to achieving global sustainability in a peaceful and healthy environment, with social justice, human dignity, and participation for all. ACIC supports its members in international cooperation and education through collective leadership, networking, information, training and coordination, and represents their interests when dealing with government and others.
ACIC also takes a leadership role in engaging Atlantic Canadians around issues relating to international development, global sustainability, and social justice. Through our public engagement work, ACIC strives to give Atlantic Canadians the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to become active global citizens.
ACIC is a rich and vibrant coalition; our varied members - over 70 in the Atlantic Provinces - are united by our strong commitment to building a better world. Please check the members page for more details on ACIC's membership.
The Northern Council for Global Cooperation (NCGC) is a network of individuals, organizations and institutions based in Canada's three Northern Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. NCGC works to include our whole community through educational programming, community networking, supporting projects that align with our mission and vision, and dismantling knowledge and skill barriers through a commitment to social justice. NCGC is committed to achieving sustainable global development that is just, inclusive, and respectful of the environment and all cultures.