Local student, Jacob Tourand has been selected to represent his community for a one-year-term on the StrongerBC Young Leaders Council.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/B.C. ministry jobs, economic recovery and innovation

Two Kamloops youth have been selected to represent B.C. youth during a one-year term on the StrongerBC Young Leaders Council.

The council is made up of high school students, post-secondary students, and workers ranging from ages 15 to 23, who will bring solutions to issues such as climate change, economy, and housing affordability to the table, the B.C. council website said.

When Nelson-Creston MLA and premier’s special adviser on youth, Brittny Anderson, was mandated to chair a youth council, she wanted youth to have the opportunity to bring topics they believe are important to officials and work with governance.

“When we look at how we’re creating different programs, we’ll be able to ask the youth their opinion on what we’re creating and get their perspective, make sure we’re taking care of the youth now, and make sure they have a bright future,” Anderson said.

“I’m really thrilled to get this program started. I got to speak with most of them over the last few days, they are all diverse, community-minded, and really engaged. I’m excited to be working with them,” she said.

Thea Wells and Jacob Tourand were selected from Kamloops to be among the 18 youth council members to represent their community, have their voices heard on issues, and have an impact on finding meaningful solutions.

“It’s truly an honour to be selected as a youth to represent my region, and to represent the Métis voice,” Tourand said. “It will be awesome to see what other youth find most important and work together on solutions.”

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Although Tourand currently lives in Kamloops, he was first inspired to apply for a spot on the youth council after seeing the devastation from fires, and now flooding in his hometown of Merritt.

“There was a need for action around climate change. I see challenges but an opportunity to work with other youth across the province, and it made me want to get involved and share my voice,” he said. “Where B.C. is right now, is a very challenging time.”

Leadership roles are nothing new to Tourand, as he is currently in a master’s program around leadership, worked as a youth rep for the Métis Nation and on the youth forum for revitalizing Métis culture, and is now a co-lead of the Indigenous employee resource group, designed to create a sense of community and connection for Indigenous employees.

“I’ve always had a passion for inspiring change, and working with others,” Tourand said.

Tourand’s goal is to share his voice on issues he is seeing within the community and contribute to finding solutions.

“It’s a unique opportunity to have youth representing all areas of the province to find solutions to problems, I’m looking forward to making an impact,” Tourand said.

Issues at the top of Tourand’s mind are climate change, building and maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship and reconciliation with Métis people, and affordable housing.

“Being a young person in this province, and the need for safe and affordable housing is important, and in speaking with others my age, finding affordable housing, either renting or owning, is daunting to even think about owning a house,” Tourand said.

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Youth council members were selected based on interests, education, lived experience, location, diversity, professionalism, and volunteerism.

“Youth have a really unique perspective and experience; their lived experience is quite different. We know they have been impacted by the pandemic, and to make sure they have a bright future moving forward, it’s important their voices are heard,” Anderson said. “Because we have such a diverse cross-section of youth from across the province, they will really be able to provide that voice to our government.”

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