The overall goal of FNPSS’ work with youth is to encourage and support First Nations youth to pursue education and careers in public administration and governance.
Youth Engagement Roundtable | FNPSS Youth Network and Survey I Internships
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ROUNDTABLE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
In August 2020, FNPSS hosted a Youth Engagement Roundtable Strategic Planning Session (the “Roundtable”) organized and attended by Indigenous youth leaders from across BC. The aim of the Roundtable was to formulate next steps for increasing youth presence and participation in FNPSS activities and overall capacity within the First Nations public service. FNPSS sees this Roundtable as the first step in greater effort to build and hold these spaces for youth to allow for self-determination in action and opportunities for long-term planning. Read the full 2020 Youth Roundtable Report.
THE FNPSS YOUTH NETWORK
As a follow-up to recommendations made during the Roundtable, FNPSS is currently seeking First Nations youth to be a part of the FNPSS Youth Network. As a part of this Network, participants will meet over Zoom to learn about FNPSS offerings and provide feedback, brainstorm new ideas, exchange best practices, share tools and resources, and connect with other similar Indigenous youth from across BC who are working in / are interested in working in public administration. Ultimately, as this group will be organized through a ‘by youth- for youth’ model, the Youth Network’s framework, organization, and activities will be determined by its members.
JOIN US - take the youth network contact survey now!
If you or someone you know is a First Nations youth between the ages of 18-29, residing in BC, who is currently working or interested in public administration and/or governance, we want you! To provide your contact information for the Network and be kept up to date on future virtual meetings, please click the survey link, below. The FNPSS team will contact you with further information following survey completion.
INTERNSHIPS
Securing meaningful and paid work experience through internships can be an excellent opportunity for First Nations youth to build their public administration and leadership skills before launching their careers. The programs below are not FNPSS-led; however, FNPSS works with our partners to support these valuable internship programs.
Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP)
The Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP) provides a 1-year paid internship for up to 25 young Indigenous British Columbians, ages 19 to 29. The program encourages Indigenous youth to consider the BC Public Service and First Nations / Indigenous organizations as a place to pursue a rewarding career. The program helps to support Indigenous youth to develop their leadership skills through work placements. Interns are initially placed with a BC Government ministry for the first 9 months. Following that, the intern is placed with an Indigenous organization for three months (salary still paid by BC Government). For more information on the program, including applying as a Intern or as a First Nation to host an Intern, visit Indigenous Youth Internship Program - Province of British Columbia.
Indigenous Intern Leadership Program (IILP)
The Indigenous Intern Leadership Program (IILP) was created through a collaboration between the BC Assembly of First Nations, the Business Council of BC, and Vancouver Island University (VIU). The IILP matches employers in BC with recent graduates, who self-identify as Indigenous, from 25 recognized BC post-secondary institutions. VIU administers the two-year paid work placement allowing for a rich experience that builds professional capacity and networks, and increases skills and knowledge for all. Graduating students should contact VIU for more information at IIPL@viu.ca.
In the fall of 2020, the federal government in BC became one of the employers in the IILP and welcomes recent graduate and future Indigenous leaders to join the federal public service for a two-year work experience. In the second year of the work experience, interns will have the opportunity to work outside of government for an Indigenous organization or a First Nations Community for at least three months (salary to be covered by the federal government). To learn more about this opportunity to host students for a three-month placement, please contact the BC Federal Council or FNPSS.
Expressions of Interest for Fall, Winter and Spring 2021 / 22
Expressions of Interest are now being sought for fall, winter and spring 2021/22 Intern placements. As an important component of federal participation in the IILP, Indigenous interns will be placed for three months with a First Nations community or Indigenous organization while their salary continues to be covered by the federal government. If you are able to provide supervision and a meaningful project / role for an intern, please complete the Expression of Interest form and submit it (attached below in Word so that you can easily fill it in). View the Intern Profiles to learn more about the Interns.
Please note that until at least January 2022, all intern placements will be virtual, so you must be willing / able to support a virtual or work from home agreement with an intern to be considered.
If you have questions, please email Amory Adrian at aadrian@fnps.ca.