Welcome to the RMYC!
The Regional Multicultural Youth Council (RMYC) is an inclusive group linking youths in small and isolated communities of Northwestern Ontario. The Council was formed as a follow-up to the special activities organized by the Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario (MANWO) in 1985 to mark the International Youth Year. Today, the RMYC is a dynamic organization promoting youth involvement in positive activities to foster the well-being of children and youth, and developing proactive programs to enhance the quality of life and improve social conditions in our communities. For more information, check out the About Us section!
What's Happening!
RMYC Executive Meetings
Come check out our youth meetings and get involved. The RMYC Executive meets at the Youth Centre on Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The meetings are open
to all youths interested in planning activities and/or organizing their own events. Anyone with ideas to share, issues to discuss, or talents to contribute is welcome to join us. You can also contact us with your ideas via
e-mail: manwoyc@tbaytel.net
Girl Power Meetings are held before the executive meetings on Saturdays. They begin at 4:00 p.m., and young women 7 to 19 years old are welcome to attend. Girls 20 years and older can participate as peer helpers and help to supervise the younger ones.
The Youth Council provides training for youths who want to be young leaders, peer helpers, team leaders, facilitators and group organizers. Youths can learn skills to organize their own activities and events.
Pauline Wins the Person's Case Youth Award
Pauline Fogarty received the Governor General’s Persons Case Youth Award at Rideau Hall on October 1, 2009. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean presented Pauline with the award for creating the Revolution Girl-Style / Girl Power Program at the Multicultural Youth Centre, engaging youth and empowering young women, as well as working on mental health issues, social justice and First Nations advocacy across Northwestern Ontario. Pauline was the only youth and was accompanied by five other women as recipients of the Person's Case Award.
Moffat Makuto attended the awards ceremony, together with Pauline's Dad, John Fogarty, and our local M.P., John Rafferty.
In her speech, Pauline invited the Governor General to come to Thunder Bay and meet with some of the REV Girl Power members. We are keeping our fingers crossed that she will visit Thunder Bay next spring.
SASSY Student Leaders' Conference:
The Regional Multicultural Youth Council (RMYC) co-sponsored a student leaders’ conference with Lakehead Public Schools to discuss ways to make our schools safer. The forum titled "Schools Acknowledging Safety Solutions by Youth (SASSY)" brought together students from Lakehead Public Schools, the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, and ESC de La Verendrye and challenged them to come up with ideas of they feel should be done to create a safer learning environment. A final report was released November 20 (National Child Day) 2008.Highlights in the report include:
* A majority of students feel safe at school, feel safe taking the school bus, and say that their teachers and staff treat them fairly.
* Bullying, Discrimination, Drugs, and Violence are the four top problems in local schools.
* Many students feel that not enough is being done to deal with these issues at school.
For more information please contact the RMYC at 622-4666.
Celebrate Canada - June 21- July 1, 2009
The RMYC organized a series of activities to celebrate Canada. The kick-off events included participating in the National Aboriginal day-long festivities at Marina Park, where the Youth Council will have a booth, and sponsored some youth drummers and dancers.
Other activities organized to get children and youth more involved in celebrating our heritage included Kids Dances at Vale Community Centre, Limbrick Place, and Windsor Place -- Thunder Bay Boys and Girl Club Forest Park School Gym. There were also a barbecue by the Youth Centre at Paterson Park.
On Canada Day, the RMYC had some members in a parade to Marina Park. We were part of the thousands of spectatorts celebrating the fireworks at the Park.
Youth Centre Supports NNEC and DFC.
The RMYC hired nine Northern Nishnawbe Education Council (NNEC) students, who included five high school graduates from Dennis Franklin Cromarty (DFC) High School to work at the Youth Centre over the summer. They were to plan how to welcome new students coming from remote northern communities to study in the city, and organize activities to keep them busy during their stay in the community.
This was a follow-up to recommendations developed by a select group of students to help each other to stay in school. The recommendations were presented to the NNEC board, Nishnawbe Aski-Nation Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, and DFC school administration on May 30, 2009.
Paint the Town Clean:
The RMYC joined other members of CCUPCY to paint over graffiti across the city. This year’s clean up was help on Saturday June 7. Teams of volunteers gathered at Paterson Park at 10 a.m. to be assigned areas to be cleaned. Areas with a lot of graffiti included Marina Park, Castle Green, Port Arthur Overpass, downtown Southcore, the underpasses to the East-end, and Kamview Park.
The volunteers re-assembled at Marina Park after cleaning up the graffiti, for a barbecue. The RMYC provided the sound-system and some entertainment, while the Creighton Centre, Urban Aboriginal Strategies, Seven Generations, Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre, Norwest Health Centre, Thunder Bay Police Services Aboriginal Liaison Unit, Lakehead Public Schools took turns to serve the food and refreshments.
National Aboriginal Day of Action
The RMYC joined various Aboriginal agencies, community groups and individuals the Aboriginal Day of Action on May 27, 2009 at Mt. McKay, Fort William Fisrt Nation.
The RMYC provided the sound system and stage for the guest speakers. Several Aboriginal leaders addressed the crowds.
The Art/ Literary Competition (Project March 21) Awards:
As part of the 2008 Race Relations campaign, the RMYC organized an art/poetry/essay competition for all Thunder Bay schools. The aim was to promote March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and diversity was the theme. Students were encouraged to be creative and submit drawings and personal stories/experiences with multiculturalism, and/or viewpoints regarding racism at school, in the community, and the world in general.
Over thirty visual and literary pieces were submitted for the competition. The pieces were displayed at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery from March 19 to April 6, 2008. An independent jury of adjudicators from the Youth Arts Council, and the ‘people’s choice’ selection process by visitors helped to pick the final winners. The Awards were given out at an Awards ceremony and dinner held at the Multicultural Youth Centre on Friday, May 9th.
The following are the students and classes selected to share a total of approximately $1,000.00 in prizes:
GRADE 4 - 6:
1st. Morgan Carlton-Shubert 2nd Melissa Davidson 3rd. Kaitlin Fenton
GRADE 7 - 9:
1st. Yohan Khan 2nd Calleigh Carlton-Shubert 3rd Kathryn Piccard
GRADES 10 -12
1st Kara Holmberg 2nd Brianne Burnell 3rd Caitlynn Gaudette
SCHOOL/CLASS AWARDS:
Ms. Leslie Hynnes’ Class, Agnew H. Johnston School
Ms. Jan Waldie’s Class, Gorham & Ware School
Hey You!
The Heath Engaging Youth Project (HEYou) is a "New Mentality" initiative at the Multicultural Youth Centre. It is a network of people between the ages of 13 to 25 interested in creating change by raising awareness on mental health and mental issues.
Please call 622-4666 for more information.
Last Updated: June 16, 2008