Opportunities for Youth

Gathering Our Voices

Gathering Our Voices (GOV) is Canada’s largest Indigenous youth conference. The event is co-hosted by BCAAFC and the Provincial Indigenous Youth Council (PIYC) annually over spring break. BCAAFC-PIYC has hosted more than 20 annual Indigenous Youth Leadership Trainings – starting in 1999 with over 100 delegates – in communities across B.C., including Prince George, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Kamloops, Victoria, Kelowna, Prince Rupert, Penticton, Richmond, and Port Alberni. Since then, it has grown immensely and continues to grow, where we anticipate over 1000 delegates each year.

Visit gatheringourvoices.ca for more information, sign up for our newsletter, or follow @GatheringOurVoices to stay updated on registration details, openings for vendors/sponsors/workshop hosts, and much more!

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Provincial Indigenous Youth Council

The Provincial Indigenous Youth Council (PIYC) is made up of Indigenous youth between the ages of 14 and 26 who are actively involved in their local Friendship Centre. Council members:

• advocate for issues that matter to Indigenous youth;
• engage with youth in their communities;
• support the development of strong local youth councils;
• serve as a liaison between Friendship Centre youth councils, PIYC, and the BCAAFC Board of Directors;
• help implement province-wide initiatives that benefit Indigenous youth; and
• co-host and assist with the annual Gathering Our Voices (GOV) Indigenous youth leadership conference.

Connect with your local Friendship Centre to learn more about programs and services for youth in your Friendship Centre community.