Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	September 8, 2001 - Issue 44
	Young Heritage Leaders Program Recognizes Contributions of Youth
	by Newswire Canada

TORONTO, Aug. 23 /CNW/ - Ontario youth who make valuable contributions to heritage preservation in their communities are eligible for recognition by the Ontario Heritage Foundation as part of the Young Heritage Leaders 2001 program. The program honours young people under 18 who help to protect or promote local heritage. Examples of voluntary activities eligible for recognition include: hands-on work restoring or maintaining a heritage structure (building, bridge, etc.) fund-raising efforts to support the restoration of a historical building researching local heritage buildings, local social history or natural heritage resource significant volunteer service at a museum, historical site, conservation area or parkland developing exhibits or publications about local history participating in historical re-enactments at local festivals demonstrating leadership in the protection of endangered wildlife and habitat "The program is sponsored by London Life and was launched with great success by the Foundation last year," said Ontario Heritage Foundation Executive Director Marjorie Mercer. "We know from over 1,000 recognized in the first year of the program, that there are many Ontario young people who are making valuable and lasting contributions to heritage preservation. We hope by recognizing their efforts now, we can encourage them to continue their interest in the province's heritage." Through the Young Heritage Leaders program, municipal councils, First Nation councils and Métis community councils can acknowledge local youth for significant voluntary contributions to cultural, natural or built heritage preservation. The councils work in conjunction with local education, youth and heritage groups to determine candidates for recognition. "We need to encourage tomorrow's leaders to take an early interest in preserving and promoting Ontario's rich heritage resources," said Jan Belanger, Director, Community Affairs for Great-West Life and London Life. The Young Heritage Leaders program is an excellent opportunity to promote community involvement and volunteerism at an early age. We're pleased to help foster a sense of local pride and community citizenship among youth." Young Heritage Leaders complements the Foundation's successful Heritage Community Recognition Program, which annually recognizes more than 100 Ontario adults for their heritage conservation efforts. The deadline for nominations for Young Heritage Leaders is October 15, 2001. The Ontario Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage for all of us to enjoy now, and for others to experience in the future. For more information on the Foundation, visit http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/ For further information: Lori Theoret, Marketing and Communications Unit, Ontario Heritage Foundation, Tel: (416) 325-5074, lori.theoret@heritagefdn.on.ca

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