In 1999 Redmond Little Chief organized a suicide awareness conference, titled “Wake Up Call”, in the Aboriginal Community . The strongest recommendation from the conference was for the development of an Aboriginal youth council to assist the Mayor of Calgary in decisions of policy and strategy on issues concerning Aboriginal Youth in the city. With this recommendation in mind, Mr. Little Chief coordinated a roundtable to discuss the opportunities and strategies of the council. From this roundtable the Mayor’s Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee (MAYAC) was formed.
Armed with fresh ideas and the support of Mayor Al Duerr, MAYAC formed a board of a second entity, the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY). In 2000, USAY hosted the 1st Annual Firekeepers Gathering aimed at assisting Aboriginal youth with issues concerning personal achievement in an urban setting. The success of the Firekeepers Gathering encouraged the board to explore other opportunities for Aboriginal youth in Calgary, and to see where USAY could provide services to ensure the experience of living in Calgary for Aboriginal youth is a positive one.
In 2001, with support from Family and Community Support Services, United Way, the Metis Nation of Alberta and Alberta Community Development, USAY was established as a not-for-profit organization and began paving the way as one of Calgary’s leading organizations for Aboriginal youth.
Today, USAY continues to serve Calgary’s Aboriginal community at our new location in the heart of downtown Calgary in Rocky Mountain Plaza, easily accessed via the Olympic Plaza LRT station. USAY continues to provide youth with opportunities for advancement through board and volunteer opportunities. USAY also provides youth with the chance to express themselves through various forms of media through New Tribe Magazine. USAY will continue to seek out new opportunities and develop programming that will help and encourage Aboriginal youth to live healthy and successful lives in the city of Calgary.
