Bridge Through Sport
Aboriginal Youth Leadership Fair

January 2006

A committee of staff and students organized the Aboriginal Youth Leadership Fair, which took place in early January 2006 at the UBC First Nations House of Learning. A mix of twenty UBC Aboriginal students and Aboriginal high school students from local First Nations and the Vancouver area, took part in the three-day event.

Participants took part in workshops, and listened to Keynote speakers focusing on the topics of leadership, personal development, education, and pride in being Aboriginal. In order to maintain a continuing relationship among the participants and the University, there are optional follow-up workshops each month for those interested.

Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback for the event, including, "I learned a lot about my own interpretation of leadership, and enjoyed working together and bonding as a group."

Aboriginal Youth Leadership Fair Goals and Objectives

• Strengthen the personal development, self-esteem, and leadership capacity of Aboriginal youth

• Foster positive, mutually beneficial relationships between UBC and the Aboriginal community, while emphasizing the value of cultural and social diversity at UBC

• Serve as an indirect recruitment program geared to Aboriginal students from Grades 10-12, by promoting an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for Aboriginals

• Initiate and maintain a mentoring relationship between UBC Aboriginal students and secondary school aged Aboriginal youth

Other Bridge Through Sport Programming

September 2005 – August 2006

"Bridge Through Sport" Reading Club
Musqueam Youth Project - Creative Writing Workshops
Annual Musqueam and UBC Youth Soccer Tournament