Nunavut to get child and youth representative: Aariak

Premier Eva Aariak said Nov. 21 that her government plans to act on its promise to appoint “a child and youth representative” for Nunavut.

That representative will “ensure that the rights, interests, and viewpoints of our young Nunavummiut are received and acted upon.”

In other jurisdictions in Canada, a child and youth representative works as an independent officer of the legislature to support children, youth and families who need help in dealing with youth protection and other services for children and youth. The representative can also call for improvements to these services.

Along with the announcement about the new child and youth representative, Aariak also said the GN also plans to hold a drawing contest for young grade-school students.

The theme of the drawing contest: “what does your right to be happy, healthy and safe mean to you?”

The theme is intended to inspire students in Grades 3 to 7 to draw pictures “that reflect the viewpoints of children and youth in Nunavut.”

The student artwork will give Nunavut’s future child and youth representative team “input from young Nunavummiut about their desires and concerns,” Aariak said.

There will be a total of 15 winners across the territory, one winner from each grade in each region in Nunavut.

Winning drawings may be used for future posters promoting the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Details will be provided through schools, with a Jan. 31 deadline for students to submit their artwork.

The winners will be announced during Nunavut’s education week in April, 2012.