IQALUIT, Nunavut-To better understand the needs and priorities of Northernors in the Arctic Regions of Canada, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard are launching a departmental Arctic Youth Council.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard want to hear directly from young people and are recruiting passionate Inuit, First Nations, and Métis leaders aged 18-30 to become leaders on their team. The Arctic Youth Council will help young people in the North learn more about the department and will advise on what initiatives are most important to them, their peers, and their communities.

The department is looking for members from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, James Bay, Northern Ontario, and Hudson Bay to make a one-year commitment of 10-20 hours a month. Council members will be compensated for their time.

Canadian Arctic is a vast region with a rich and varied history. In 2018, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard created Arctic Regions in the spirit of reconciliation to acknowledge and address the unique realities of this area while advancing collaboration with Northerners.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible to safeguard Canada's waters and manage Canada's fisheries and oceans resources. DFO helps to ensure healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and sound science, and supports economic growth in the marine and fisheries sectors, as well as innovations in aquaculture and biotechnology. The Canadian Coast Guard is a special operating agency within Fisheries and Oceans Canada that protects the marine environment.

"As we continue to improve, increase and expand our presence in the Arctic it is essential for us to engage on every level, including with Indigenous youth," says the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. "The Arctic Youth Council will provide us the opportunity to learn directly from young Inuit, First Nation, and Métis leaders taking into direct consideration our partners specific needs and knowledge. We hope to empower our youth through employment opportunities in our Arctic Regions. I look forward to learning from this Council." y