Eriel Deranger

"All my relations: Indigenous youth and global youth policy development" - reports to follow

Bio

Eriel is currently the National Aboriginal Youth Engagement Coordinator for Creating Local Connections Canada, a project of TakingITGlobal. In this position her goal is to inspire, inform and involve Aboriginal youth in becoming active, engaged members of their communities. Her work contributes to the construct of a cohesive network of youth working for and with Aboriginal organizations in Canada.

Eriel is a Dene from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and was recently chosen as one of three Aboriginal youth from Canada to attend the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York City, where she contributed to the development of the United Nations International Indigenous Youth Caucus. This youth caucus successfully wrote and submitted two statements and set of recommendations to the Forum. From these recommendations the UNPFII has accepted Indigenous Child and Youth Issues as a permanent agenda item for future forums.

Eriel has also held positions with the Shout Magazine – Canada’s Aboriginal Youth Magazine and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations as a Treaty Land Entitlement and Specific Land Claims Researcher for numerous years. In addition Eriel has volunteered extensively with community youth organizations such as Kickin’ Ash, Street Culture Kidz, Urban Multi-purpose Aboriginal Youth Centres, Chili for Children, The YMCA of Regina, The Rainbow Youth Centre and various other inner-city youth initiatives. Eriel has traveled extensively in Canada, and the USA to participate and attend various conferences and gatherings in support of Indigenous peoples and their struggles.

Issue of Investigation

As a 2007 recipient of the Gordon Global Fellowship, Eriel’s issue of investigation was Global Youth Policy development with a specific focus on how Indigenous youth are being included and consulted. The title of her research was: “All my relations: Indigenous youth and the interrelationship with global youth policy development”.