The Forgotten!

by Doug

Economic growth in rural Canada is critical to the future development of Aboriginal communities. Government and Aboriginal leaders need to recognize that the widening divide between urban and rural society is only escalating the social issues currently rampart amongst Aboriginal communities; especially with the youth population who more often than not, turn to crime as a way of life.  I am talking about the Youth-At-Risk element, ages 10 to 18.  These young children are quickly becoming the “forgotten” to a disinterested urban society yet they should represent the future for many Aboriginal communities.

As we all know, real and lasting improvement in social, economic and cultural development is possible when there is a widespread deployment and usage of Information Communication Technology (ICT). Achieving sustainable economic growth for many communities is highly dependent upon their ability to effectively use social media strategies and tactics to engage with the global economy. Today, progressive organizations realize that the power to shape the future now belongs to the people.  Content is created through collaboration and public engagement.  It is all about empowering our youth to help build the future economy!

And yet within the “digitally connected” Canada there exists a nation of disjointed communities so mired in social issues that it is inhibiting their ability benefit from ICT and build a prosperous tomorrow. Of greater concern is the fact that the youth of these communities are becoming more and more disconnected from mainstream markets.

Under the TecVana umbrella is a program called Stepping Stone Ranch.  This initiative of Adam Beach is not about the past, rather about the future! It is about leadership, about people who can make a difference, about courage to make change, about innovation, about collaborating on a common problem and effecting meaningful change from within. Stepping Stone Ranch is a promise of change offering Youth-at-Risk a unique solution to help them become community “Ambassadors of Change” for their communities and for TecVana.

We need government and Aboriginal leaders to realize that a growth in rural economy, sustainability of Aboriginal communities, development and engagement of Aboriginal youth, becoming a developed nation and TecVana (Geo-Tourism) are all “inextricably linked”.

We welcome your thoughts on how to get government and Aboriginal leaders to pay more attention to this growing problem before the “forgotten” are truly lost to the global interests of urban societies.