Invitation to the Gathering of Youth and Elders July 12 to 15 2018 Centre Vacances Lac Simon, Saint-Léonard-De-Portneuf

Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador

First Nations of Quebec-Labrador Youth Network

Invitation to the Gathering of Youth and Elders July 12 to 15 2018 Centre Vacances Lac Simon, Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf

Attention : Grand Chiefs - Chiefs – Councillors – Directors – Youth Councils or Committees – Elders Councils or Committees

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations Quebec- Labrador Youth Network (FNQLYN) are pleased to announce the second Gathering of Youth and Elders. This event will take place from July 12 – 15 2018, at Centre Vacances Lac Simon, in Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf, an hour’s drive from Quebec City. We look forward to welcoming over 175 participants (Elders and Youths) of Quebec and Labrador First Nations.

The main objective of the Gathering is to establish bonds among people of all generations, and foster the inter-generational passing-on of Indigenous Peoples identity values and traditional knowledge and know-how. The participants will be invited to sign up for any one of the workshop sessions to be facilitated by different Nations representatives.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. Venue Centre Vacances Lac Simon 60 Chemin du Lac Simon, Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf, QC G0A 4A0 Website : http://www.vacanceslacsimon.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/centrevacanceslacsimon/ Google Maps : https://bit.ly/2Gix4gv

The facilities are adapted for persons with restricted mobility.

2. Date of the Gathering The Gathering will take place from July 12-15 2018. It is strongly advised to arrive by Thursday, July 12th, and to leave on Sunday, July 15th to take part in activities which will begin early Friday morning and will continue until Saturday evening.

3. Who can participate in the Gathering? The registration for the Gathering will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and places will be allocated based on the following age groups:

· 12 - 17 age group - must be accompanied by a responsible adult : 25 places including the accompanying adults · 18 - 35 age group: 75 places, on the basis of 2 representatives per community · Elders: 75 places, on the basis of 2 Elders per community

4. Selection of participants YOUTHS : We strongly recommend that the youths who will participate in the Gathering are selected by the Youth Council or Committee in place in the community. On the other hand, if the community has no Youth Council or Committee, the Band Council shall inform the FNQLYN of the names of the youth representatives. The FNQLYN reserves the right to invite youths from various communities.

ELDERS : We strongly recommend that the elders who will participate in the Gathering are selected by the Youth Council or Committee in place in the community. On the other hand, if the community has no Youth Council or Committee, the Band Council shall inform the AFNQL of the name of the participating elders. The AFNQL reserves the right to invite elders from various communities.

5. Reimbursement of travel expenses Travel expenses for 2 participants will be reimbursed for the following communities: Whapmagoostui, Natuashish, Sheshatshiu, Kawawachikamach, Matikekosh, Pakuashipi, Unamen Shipu.

Travel expenses for all the other communities will be reimbursed for the participation of two (2) youths and two (2) elders per community, in addition to the youths aged 12 to 17.

· Round trip transportation (refer to point 8. Transportation of the official invitation letter) · Meals while traveling · Cost of meals while traveling to the Gathering and return to the community. · The rates are 12,00 $ for breakfast, 12,00$ for lunch and 35,00 $ for supper. Expenses for these meals will be reimbursed only if it’s necessary to travel during meal times. · Once on the gathering site, the meals, accommodation and activities related to the Gathering will be provided. However, participants will be expected to pay for any other personal expenses.

We ask Band Councils or any other mandated organization to advance the necessary moneys related to the travel expenses of the Gathering’s participants, NO TRAVEL ADVANCE WILL BE ISSUED BY THE FNQLYN or the AFNQL. We will follow up with the reimbursement of the advanced monies upon presentation of an expense account and original expense receipts.

*We realize that some communities located in remote areas represent special cases. We are prepared to discuss your situation. Please contact Ms. Annick Tremblay or Mr. Danny Robertson, at (418) 842-5020) on this subject.

6. What type of accommodation is available at Centre Vacances Lac Simon? Cottages will be made available to the Elders. Rooms are for double occupancy. The young people will be lodged in dormitories.

Three (3) tents will be available for Elders who would like to sleep in a tent. Space is limited and it will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

7. Meal service during the event? All the meals will be provided and served at the cafeteria.

8. Transportation Transportation constitutes the biggest expense in the organization of this Gathering. This is why we call on you so that due regard is given to economy. We will reimburse the most cost- effective transportation only. If ever you have any questions on this subject, please contact us as quickly as possible.

Air transportation The participants of the following communities will have to fly up to Sept-Îles : Natuashish, Shetshatsit, Kawawachikamach, Matimekush, Pakuashipi, Unamen Shipu. The rest of the trip will be made by coach, from Sept-Îles (Musée Shaputuan, 290 Boulevard des Montagnais, Uashat).

Participants from the community of Whapmagoostui will have to fly up to Quebec City. A shuttle service will be available to take the participants to the site of the event.

Bus Participants from the following communities will have to travel by car-pooling up to Val d’Or (Centre d’amitié autochtone de Val d’Or, 1272 7e Rue, Val-d'Or) : Chisasibi, Wemindji, Eastmain, Waskaganish, Nemiscau, Waswanipi, Pikogan, Timiskaming, Lac Simon, Winneway. The rest of the trip will be made by coach.

Participants from the following communities will have to travel by car-pooling up to Rapid Lake (Conseil de bande Lac-Rapide) where they will be picked up by the bus from Val d’Or : Kiticisakik, Kitigan Zibi, Rapid Lake.

Participants from the following communities will have to travel by car-pooling up to Uashat (Musée Shaputuan, 290 Boulevard des Montagnais, Uashat) : Nutashkuan, Ekuanitshit, Mani- Utenam. The rest of the trip will be made by coach.

Participants from the following communities will be picked up along the way by the bus of Sept- Îles : Pessamit (Dépanneur Pessamit, 78 Rue Ashini, Betsiamites), Essipit : (Bar Essipit, 27 Rue de la Réserve, Les Escoumins).

Car Participants from the following communities will have to travel by car-pooling up to the site of the event. (Centre Vacances Lac Simon, 60 Chemin du Lac Simon, Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf) : Akwesasne, Kahnawake, Kanesatake, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, Opitciwan, Manawan, Wemotaci, Mashteuiatsh, Odanak, Wôlinak, Cacouna, Wendake, Gaspé, Gesgapegiag, Listuguj.

Mileage will be reimbursed (0,51 $/km) for one (1) vehicle only per community. You must travel by car-pooling.

9. The event will take place in a drug-and alcohol-free environment Drug and alcohol use is expressly prohibited EVERYWHERE throughout the premises of the Gathering. We reserve the right to expel any person who is in violation of this regulation.

10. For any other questions For any question pertaining to the Gathering, please contact Ms. Annick Tremblay, by email, at [email protected] or Mr. Danny Robertson, at [email protected].

You may also reach us by phone at 418-842-5020 to discuss this invitation in more details. We thank you in advance for your attention and your interest.

What is the closing date for registration? The closing date for registration is Friday, June 15, 2018 at 4:00pm.

TO CONTACT US Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Youth Network 250, Place Chef Michel Laveau, suite 201 Wendake (Quebec) G0A 4V0 Telephone: 418-842-5020 Fax: 418-842-2660 Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjpn.fnyn OU https://www.facebook.com/APNQL/