Young Indigenous people will have more opportunities to have their voices heard following the announcement of more than $100,000 funding for the Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC).

Vic Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings made the announcement at the launch of the VIYAC voices telling it like it is: Young Aboriginal Victorians on Culture, Identity and Racism research report.

“VIYAC is a network of about 20 volunteer Indigenous young people from around Victoria aged between 12 and 25 who are motivated to advocate on behalf of their community on issues affecting young people,” Mr Jennings said.

“Together, they have the opportunity to actively promote and strengthen their Aboriginal identity and culture.

“As an advisory group, they also provide important information to the Victorian Government about the views, circumstances and needs of young Indigenous people across the state,” Mr Jennings said.

The $108,000 in funding through the Department for Victorian Communities will give opportunities to Indigenous young people to speak up about the issues they face. Their ideas and suggestions information will be used to shape public policy initiatives.

The Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, Jacinta Allan, said VIYAC works closely with the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria and government agencies to develop partnerships and act as the key advisory group for Indigenous young people in Victoria.

“VIYAC is a terrific place for young Indigenous people with a range of experience to build their leadership skills, and two of its members – Jamie McConnachie and Isaac Haddock – have been acknowledged as up-and-coming role models for their communities,” Ms Allan said.

“Jamie is the Victorian representative for National Youth Week 2007 and Isaac was recently announced as the joint winner of the 2006 Ricci Marks Indigenous Young Achiever Award.

www.vic.gov.au