BOLIVIA

Host Organization/ Relationship to Ghost River Rediscovery

Núr University, an accredited Bolivian University, is recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative programs addressing community education and development. Núr University aims to contribute to an educational process that facilitates individual and social transformation through the development of human capabilities, fostering a dynamic coherence between the intellectual, spiritual and physical dimensions, for the establishment of a just, peaceful, and harmonious global society.

One of Núr University’s diverse programs is an internationally recognized Youth Leadership project, whose objective is to develop youth capacity through training programs in the areas of moral leadership, personal and professional excellence, and community service. To date, the project has created 20 student councils, working with 4000 youth from across the city of Santa Cruz, and has contributed to a growing number of school and community improvement projects. In 2003, Ghost River Rediscovery collaborated with this leadership project to develop Rediscovery Bolivia.

Placement Description

The placement in Bolivia will be in the area of Indigenous Youth Leadership Development. Continuing with the work started in 2003-04 through GRR’s YPI project, the participants will work to help further develop the Rediscovery Bolivia youth leadership program. The participants will work very closely with the Rediscovery Bolivia team to develop and implement the program. Building on the work established in 2003-04, the participant’s responsibilities might include reaching out to indigenous communities across Bolivia, designing and organizing cultural weekend outings in which the Santa Cruz youth will visit indigenous communities in remote areas of Bolivia for cultural exchange. They might also help to develop curriculum for workshops based on indigenous cultures and traditions, as well as design and expand related extracurricular activities such as skill-building workshops, cultural dance or arts workshop.

Stephanie Levy, 24 years of age, is from Mississauga, Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Environmental Science from Queen’s University. She worked at Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, in Victoria, B.C., as an Activities Assistant and was a project leader for the Pearson Sustainability Initiative. Stephanie has a passion for traveling and for learning about other cultures, a fascination that has resulted from her work at Pearson College as well as from her travels to Central America, Africa, Micronesia, and Europe. She is an outdoor enthusiast with extensive experience in scuba diving and rock climbing: she successfully climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and to the summit of the Grand Teton in Wyoming! Stephanie is very excited to go to Bolivia and is looking forward to sharing her skills and passion with youth from Bolivia.
Rodrigo Davalos is a 27 year old man from Guadalajara, Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Besides Canada and Mexico, Rodrigo has also lived in Cuba, and the United States. Rodrigo has extensive knowledge of Indigenous communities in Mexico, particularly of the Tarahumaras and Yaquis. While in Mexico, Rodrigo participated in various Indigenous ceremonies and volunteered in the community of Mezcala, Jalisco, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. In Cuba, he was in contact with the Santero culture. Rodrigo has been involved in sports for most of his life, particularly in football and soccer. Through sports and games, Rodrigo hopes to involve local Bolivian youth in different fun activities that will seek to promote unity and teamwork. Rodrigo’s energy and enthusiasm for learning about Indigenous cultures will be an asset for the placement in Bolivia.

The Métis Nation of Alberta International Youth Internship Program

Program Overview
The Métis Nation of Alberta International Youth Internship Program offers Métis youth the opportunity to obtain paid international work experience. Ghost River Rediscovery is in its first year as an implementing organization for the MNA Internship program. Our placements specialize in international Indigenous youth leadership and Indigenous community development.

Program Description
Ghost River Rediscovery is pleased to announce that this year we have received five internship placements funded by the Métis Nation of Alberta. These positions provide the opportunity for five Canadian Métis youth between the ages of 18-30 to obtain international work experience in the areas of basic education, skills training and culture and identity. Participants gain valuable professional skills while learning about the values and cultures of communities in Austria, Dominica and Finland.
Each six-month placement consists of an approximate two weeks of training and preparation in Canada, followed by six months in the overseas posts. The job postings will vary depending on location.
This opportunity gives young Canadian leaders the skills and opportunities to shape their world, allowing them to become effective leaders and positive agents of change within their own communities.

To be eligible for the International Youth Internship Program, you must:

• Be between 18 and 30 years of age (as of April 1, 2008)
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Self identify as Métis

Additional skills required:
• Basic computer and Internet literacy, including word processing and e-mail skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English
• Able to live and work in multicultural environments
• Able to use this placement experience as a long-term employment strategy
• Flexible and adaptable

You must be able to attend the orientation session to be considered for a placement. You are responsible for the costs of travel to and from the Orientation Session, which will take place in Calgary, Alberta. Departure dates for the internships are early August 2008.

Recruitment and Selection
Ghost River Rediscovery and Métis Nation of Alberta will be recruiting five participants for the 2008-2009 programs. The deadline to submit applications is June 6th 2008.

Selection
Short-listed candidates will be contacted to set up an interview in May/June 2008. Interviews take place either by phone or in person depending if applicant lives in the Calgary area. A list of final candidates will be forwarded to the host organization and the host organization will participate in the final selection. 

Please note that Ghost River Rediscovery negotiates your posting with the overseas host organization, taking into consideration your qualifications, experience and needs. Participants will sign a placement contract, for which Ghost River Rediscovery will be your employer. Once the candidate has been selected, they receive a phone call from the program staff confirming their acceptance for the position.

Duties and Responsibilities
Pre-departure Orientation: After selection, participants must complete a medical examination, apply for visas, conduct extensive independent research, complete pre-departure orientation sessions, and sign a contractual agreement with Ghost River Rediscovery. The orientation will include a 10day Outdoor Rediscovery Wilderness Skills Training and a 2 day office based portion covering placement preparation topics such as cultural training, financial management, administration, report preparation, and program management.
Specific objectives of the orientation training are to:
• provide a basic understanding of the history, development and organization of Ghost River Rediscovery and the different program areas;
• give the opportunity to meet Ghost River Rediscovery staff;
• provide a more complete understanding of current issues surrounding Aboriginal peoples;
• increase awareness about the host country, including its geography, people, culture and living conditions;
• understand the adaptation process and gain knowledge on how to minimize culture shock and homesickness;
• improve effective communication skills, including conflict resolution;
• receive health and safety briefings; and
• understand the administrative procedures relating to their assignment.
• the wilderness portion of the training will provide participants with the opportunity to explore the essence of what Rediscovery is as well as to look inward and prepare themselves personally for the journeys upon which they are about to embark. The culmination of this program will be an optional solo vision quest.

Ghost River Rediscovery regards the training session as part of the assessment process of its participants and therefore reserves the right to withdraw the selection of a candidate at any stage of the application process, including the pre-departure orientation, if he/she proves to be unsuitable for personal or professional reasons.

Debriefing
Debriefing will be done as a group in Calgary, Alberta in February 2009. Debriefing activities and workshops will include an extensive personal interview with each participant. Then again after one month and a again after 6 months, a one hour phone conversation will take place to review topics such as cultural re-entry shock and reintegration, program feedback, review of skill development and personal growth, employment objectives and status, challenges being faced.


During Your Placement:
Participants will be required to submit monthly reports, an initial work plan and revised work plans throughout and a detailed final report at the end of their placement will also be required. These reports must be submitted in a timely manner in order to receive monthly wages. Periodically, participants may also be asked to submit other information to the Program Coordinator and Jr. Program Officer or other staff at Ghost River Rediscovery. Participants will draft a job search strategy for themselves during the final week. At the end of the placement, he/she are expected to actively seek employment. Generally, they are discouraged from immediately seeking Unemployment Insurance, as the goal of the postings are to assist the youth in finding permanent work.

Time Commitment: Participants will be expected to commit to the full six months of their placement. A placement cannot be changed once the participant has agreed to it, except under special circumstances. Participants are expected to work the regular working hours of the host organization. Holidays and vacation time is not included in the six month placement. If a participant should choose to take vacation time during their placement, this must first be approved by the host organization and Ghost River Rediscovery and any time off must be made up during or after the official placement end date.

Logistics
Supervision: While at Ghost River Rediscovery, participants will report to the Program Coordinator and Jr. Program Officer. During the international, portion participants will report to a supervisor assigned by the host organization, but will also maintain regular contact with the Program Coordinator and Jr. Program Officer via e-mail.
 
Health Insurance: International health insurance will be provided for the duration of the placement.
 
Immunizations: Some countries may require that you have immunizations. If you are accepted into the program, you must obtain immunizations immediately before commencing your posting.

Visas: Participants are responsible for researching and obtaining the necessary visas to work in the country of their host organization. Ghost River Rediscovery will assist by providing the necessary support documents.

Passport: All participants are required to obtain a passport and submit a copy to GRR upon acceptance of the placement. Passport applications are available at post offices. It can take up to two to three weeks to process a passport application. Please allow for mailing time.

Living and Related Expenses:
Participants will be responsible for their own living expenses.

Change of Status:
Misinformation on your application or failure to notify Ghost River Rediscovery of any change could result in withdrawal of your offer before departure or being asked to return to Canada if you are already in the field. Participants must also inform Ghost River Rediscovery and their Host Organization of their whereabouts throughout the placement.
***More details will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
If you have questions or require further information, please contact Candace St.Denis, Jr. Program Officer at:
Ghost River Rediscovery, Suite 164 – 3359 27th Street NE, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5E4
Tel: 403 270 9351 Fax: 403 270 9371 Email: contact@ghostriverrediscovery.com
Metis Nation of Alberta International Internship Program
Ghost River Rediscovery in partnership with Métis Nation of Alberta is offering international internship placements in Austria, Dominica and Finland.

Placement Details

Austria
The Big Banana Centre offers a place for troubled and refugee youth to be a voice for the rights and matters for young citizens. The Centre is involved to a great extent with the community, working closely with schools and local NGO’s. It holds various events, workshops and social service projects and is also running an international exchange program. The Centre is in the midst of a rich cultural hub and it is an honour to be working with such a well-connected organization.

Lauren Vandorpe is a 21year old woman from Calgary, Alberta. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Lauren is attending the University of Calgary and is working towards completing her bachelor of commerce.  She recently attended the Youth and Elders conference. This experience helped her deepen her connection with her Métis roots. She hopes to share what she has learnt from this conference with the youth in Austria. Lauren is excited to have the opportunity to work with the community in Austria and contribute her knowledge and skills to the community at large.

Finland

Alexander Holmes is an 18 year old male from Edmonton, Alberta. He has recently graduated from Amiskwaciy Academy. At the age of three Alexander started participating in traditional ceremonies such as sweat lodges, sun dances, round dances, pipe ceremonies, black lodge ceremonies and sharing circles.  He is an active member in the Métis community through lifeguarding, assisting youth with their boxing skills, volunteering at the Métis Youth Summer Camps and teaching youth basic guitar skills. Alexander is excited to start this new journey in his life and he hopes to share his knowledge about the Métis culture with the youth in Finland.

Chehala Leonard, 19 years of age, is from Grande Cache, Alberta. She is an active member within the local Métis community in Grande Cache. She worked with Métis local #1994 as a supervisor for both the homework connection program and the after school program as well as youth summer camps. Recently she has traveled to Greenland, Iceland and Nunavut as a TV host for Aboriginal People Television Network, Road Scholars program, which gave her the opportunity to share her culture as well as to learn about the host cultures. Chehala hopes to involve local Finnish youth in different activities such as plant identification, cultural sharing, games and teamwork skills. Chehala is very excited to go to Finland and is looking forward to sharing her skills and passion with the youth from Finland.