For Immediate Release
March 3, 2008 - The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples council in partnership with Mushkegowuk Regional Youth Council co-hosted a successful 5th Annual Youth Symposium on Environment from February 28 to March 2, 2008 at the Northern College in Timmins, Ontario.

First Nation youth in Ontario express concern about how their communities and families are being affected by environmental issues. Using the four sacred elements of Water, Air, Earth and Fire as a framework, youth and Elders held discussion about issues such as water protection, air pollution, land contamination, and climate change. Elders also shared teachings about First Nation relationships with the natural world.

The Symposium provided a valuable opportunity for Elders and youth to discuss current environmental problems affecting First Nations across Ontario, and to identify potential solutions.

"The Symposium provided a forum for our youth, Elders and community leaders to talk face to face about environmental issues affecting our communities across the province" said Carolyn Kokokopence, who holds the environment portfolio for the Chiefs of Ontario Young Peoples Council. "This collective learning will lead to solutions that make sense to who we are, as peoples of the land," she said.

In addition to discussion and teaching with respect to the environment, the Symposium featured traditional music, art, and special guest speakers such as Gordon Tootoosis and Tatiana Degay.

The Symposium has been made possible in part by support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Environment Unit of the Department of Indian Affairs. More information is available at http://chiefs-of-ontario.org/youth/youth_symposium.html.