Young leaders paving the way

Joshua Gottfriedson, 25, has been elected as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Youth Council co-chairman to represent male youth nationally.
Gottfriedson is also a provincial representative of British Columbia male youth.
The female National Youth co-chairwoman is Ashley Julian. She is a Dalhousie University student.
Gottfriedson became involved in politics when he was 18 years old. At that time, he was encouraged to put his name forward to advance youth causes at the provincial level.
From there, his political climb rose to the regional level and then up to the national level which is the AFN youth council. He began his term June 25.
To become involved with the AFN youth council, Gottfriedsont had to receive support from a local chief to elect him to the council position.
Council members must also be between the ages of 19-29.
One of the first programs the current youth council is promoting is IndigenACTION.
“We are starting the national youth IndigenACTION to promote healthy living in Canada,” Gottfriedson said.
The national strategy seeks to promote opportunities for young Aboriginal athletes and to increase fitness and wellbeing in First Nation communities.
Another initiative identified by the AFN youth council in 2008 is to reduce youth participation in gang activities.
“That comes up in any region,” Gottfriedson said. “A lot of people feel they don’t belong in their families.”
He said the return of language, culture and traditions and the return of land would have positive impacts on the youth.
Gottfriedson feels his voice is important for the youth he represents from the 633 First Nation communities across Canada.
“We directly affect what kind of programs that are put into the communities,” Gottfriedson said.
To advance the youth itinerary, there is leadership support as well.
“We advocate provincial and regional leaders to push for youth participation (at political tables) at those levels,” Gottfriedson said.
As for the future of the AFN youth council Gottfriedson would like to see unity.
“The objective of the youth council is to promote unity, to really work together and to move forward in a good direction,” he said.
The AFN youth council is comprised of two representatives from each of the ten provinces and two territories. However, there are some vacant seats on the council as not all the provinces or territories have full representation.