Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee

An Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee (AYAC) is established by each administrating organization to make recommendations on project proposals submitted for Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) funding, and to establish CCAY community priorities for Aboriginal youth. Roles and Responsibilities

1. AYAC Membership:

1.1. AYAC members will be selected in an open, transparent, inclusive community selection process;

1.2. Appointment to the AYAC will be for a term of no more than three (3) years;

1.3. The AYAC will consist of 6 to 12 members;

1.4. Members of the AYAC must have knowledge of urban Aboriginal youth issues/needs;

1.5. Members of the AYAC must be a resident of the region for a minimum of two (2) years;

1.6. AYAC membership will include Aboriginal individuals between the ages of 18-24 years old, and;

1.7. 1.7 If an AYAC member misses two (2) consecutive meetings without reason or notice during his/her term, a new member will be appointed.

2. AYAC Priority Setting and Assessment Meetings:

2.1. AYAC priority setting and assessment meetings must be held within the administrating organization’s region;

2.2. Meetings will normally be held at least twice per year, with meeting dates to be determined by the administrating organization;

2.3. Official minutes, including all records of recommendations, will be taken by the administrating organization at all AYAC meetings;

2.4. Attendance at AYAC meetings is limited to the administrating organization, PCH representatives and AYAC members. Elders may attend upon invitation in an advisory support role, and;

2.5. Quorum for AYAC meetings will consist of 50 percent plus one (1).

3. AYAC Development and Orientation:

3.1. Any AYAC meetings or training sessions for the purposes of AYAC development and orientation may be held in an agreed upon location within the administrating organization’s region.

4. AYAC Key Roles and Responsibilities:

4.1. In conjunction with the administrating organization the AYAC will be responsible for:

4.1.1. planning and priority setting (in relation to CCAY funding priorities);

4.1.2. the review of CCAY project applications/proposals using a standard process that includes an assessment tool and general discussion, and making recommendations on the selection of, and funding recommendations for, CCAY projects (note: final funding approval regarding contributions to recipient organizations will rest with the Minister, or delegated authority);

4.1.3. assisting administrating organization staff to inform the distribution list and develop advertising and promotion strategies for the annual Call for Proposals for the allocation of CCAY funding;

4.1.4. implementing application/proposal review structures and processes, including the implementation of a standard proposal assessment tool developed by PCH, and;

4.1.5. planning and organizing annual meetings to establish and update Aboriginal youth CCAY funding priorities and, using existing youth committee structures, developing and implementing local capacity-building strategies and initiatives for urban Aboriginal youth (including, but not limited to, working with youth within each of the region in the development of local plans and CCAY funding priorities).

5. AYAC Ongoing Community Roles and Responsibilities - External:

5.1. AYAC members may provide (on an informal and ongoing basis) feedback on local/regional projects to third party delivery organization staff, and;

5.2. AYAC members may share information with Aboriginal youth within each of the regions regarding local plans and CCAY funding priorities, funded projects within the regions, etc., through existing communications capacities and utilizing existing resources.