Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth
To view PDF files, you must have a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available as a free download.
MB4Youth Advisory Council
About Us | Member Profiles | Selection Process | Terms of Reference | Reports | Contact Us
About Us
The MB4Youth Advisory Council was created to provide feedback to the Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth on issues relating to youth such as jobs, education, leadership, and citizen engagement.
We are comprised of 15 members between the ages of 15 and 24 who enjoy working with our peers and want to help the provincial government make informed decisions on issues affecting youth.
We were chosen to be on the Council because of our leadership skills, volunteer activities, and contributions to our school and community. We come from various communities and cultural backgrounds, so we feel we bring unique perspectives to the Council.
Throughout the year, the Council will meet 2 to 4 times face-to-face and hold teleconference meetings. Our meeting minutes will be posted, so please bookmark this Web page to read about our discussions.
As Council members, we will help ensure that youth have a say in decisions that affect the youth in Manitoba.
Member Profiles
Michael Alty
Michael spent his formative years in the village of Howden. His interest in politics, travel, and community service began early on, triggering a long sequence of adventures. His travels, schooling, and volunteer work have taken him abroad to Haiti, Southern Africa, China, and beyond. On the occasions he is not wanderlust, you can find him at Canadian Mennonite University, studying for a degree in Political Studies. Michael has been in numerous positions of leadership, including Vice-President of the Student Council, Director of the Sports and Recreation committee and an organizing member of the Student Political Association. Michael also volunteers for the Canadian International Development Agency as part of the Youth Speakers Program. When not at school or traveling the world, you can find Michael snowboarding, lawn bowling, volunteering, or trying to stay in shape.
Amber Darling
Amber is a first year University of Manitoba student who is originally from a small rural Manitoba town. Her future plans include getting a PhD in psychology. This is Amber’s second year on the MB4Youth Advisory Council. Her other leadership experiences include: peer helpers, student council, student leaders in high school, tutoring, camp counselor at a Co-op Youth Leadership Camp, and volunteering every year at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum’s Thresherman’s Reunion. Outside of university, Amber enjoys movies, scrapbooking and being with friends and family.
Laura Dutfield
Laura Dutfield is completing her final year at Fort Richmond Collegiate. Actively involved, Laura works as a Page at the Legislative Assembly and volunteers at 10 000 Villages, a Fair Trade establishment. Within school, Laura busies herself with Amnesty International, Dance Club and Student Council. She works for Amnesty International, currently planning the youth aspect for the national Annual General Meeting. When there is time to spare, she finds herself reading, dancing and watching the odd film. Laura is planning on studying International Development and Philosophy in her university years.
Jean Gaultier
Jean is in his second year of the MB4Youth Advisory Council. After taking Business Administration at Red River College, Jean worked in the youth sector of an economic development council for two years. After moving back to his rural home town he is now working as an employment facilitator for community members and newcomers to Canada.
Vanessa Kozak
Vanessa is a First Nation youth who grew up in Winnipeg. Vanessa is in her first year at the University of Winnipeg and if currently sitting on the Board of Directors as Secretary. Vanessa also represents youth in her community at the Urban Shaman Art Gallery and works as a Member Service Representative at a local bank. This is Vanessa’s second year on the council and she looks forward to meeting new people and learning new things.
Victor Le
Victor is a grade 12 student at Vincent Massey Collegiate. In the future, he would like to pursue a career in neuroscience or medical research. He is an active participant in the student body; involved in the Key Club, Youth in Philanthropy, and Sustainable Development Committee. He also volunteers teaching judo and wrestling, delivers newspapers for the St. Boniface Hospital and Health Sciences Centre and attends to the elderly with the H.E.L.P program. He enjoys participating in a variety of sports such as tennis, track, and badminton and he is also on the provincial team for Judo and Wrestling.
Brittany Leschasin
Brittany recently completed her degree in the Creative Communications Program through the University of Winnipeg and Red River College. Aside from school, Brittany works for a local advertising agency. This is Brittany's second year on the council, although in the past she has also volunteered for various causes including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Harvest, Boo at the Zoo, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic and various student media outlets and events at three of Manitoba’s major campuses. Brittany is honoured to have been reaccepted to the council and interested to see what new opportunities and challenges will arise this term.
Nathan Peto
This is Nathan’s third year on the MB4Youth Advisory Council. Nathan is in his fourth year at the University of Brandon majoring in History and Political Science. He has been very involved in all types of community organizations such as the Student’s Union where he currently serves as President, YMCA, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity and the Brandon food bank. Nathan is honoured to have the opportunity to represent young people in Manitoba on the MB4Youth Advisory Council.
Courtney Schwegel
Courtney is in her first year in the integrated Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Education program at the University of Winnipeg. This is her second year being a member of the MB4Youth Advisory Council. Courtney graduated from Gimli High school, where she was involved with the school social committee and Youth Community Partnership. Her volunteer experience includes teaching Canskate at the local figure skating club, delivering Meals on Wheels to seniors, and Special Olympics bowling. Improving her French language skills and dancing up a storm at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet are a few of the things she enjoys doing.
Erin Wall
Erin is a first year student studying at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. She graduated from Kildonan East Collegiate in June of 2007 and this is her first year on the council. During high school Erin was very involved in many leadership projects. She served as the leader of her Key Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored youth club, participated in Student Council as a member of the executive team, and was a founding member of Tanzania 2010, a group of students traveling to Africa in 2010 to complete a four-year community-building project. Erin loves playing basketball and staying active, and enjoys coaching and mentoring young girls playing basketball in her community. Erin is honoured to have the opportunity to represent young people in Manitoba with this position.
Selection Process
- The call for members is an open process. Each year applications for the Council will be sent out to schools, post-secondary institutions, and youth serving agencies. Applications will also be posted on the MB4Youth.ca Web site and highlighted in the MB4Youth newsletter.
- A departmental selection committee reads all applications and selects up to 15 council members age 15 to 24, which are approved by the Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth.
- The selection criteria is as follows:
- Youth display leadership and interpersonal skills, volunteerism, and community and/or school engagement;
- Youth are able to carry out the duties and responsibilities as outlined in the Terms of Reference;
- Youth span the age range of 15 to 24 and are involved in different stages of education and employment;
- Youth are from a variety of Manitoba communities and cultural backgrounds;
- Youth have an adult reference from a community organization or institution.
- Members are appointed for a one year term and can apply for a second consecutive term of one year. Members will not be selected for more than 2 years.
Terms of Reference
Reports
Meeting minutes:
- Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - January 25, 2008
- Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - October 12, 2007
Annual Report:
- 2007-08 Advisory Council Annual Report
- 2006-07 Advisory Council Annual Report
- 2005-06 Advisory Council Annual Report
- 2004-05 Advisory Council Annual Report
Interested in joining the council? Keep an eye open for the next call for nominations in the spring of 2009.
Contact Us
Lindsay Kaluznick
MB4Youth Division
Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth
Room 310, 800 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3G 0N4
Telephone: (204) 945-0437 or toll-free 1-800-282-8069 ext. 0437
Fax: (204) 945-5726
E-mail: Lindsay.Kaluznick@gov.mb.ca
