What is Blueprint For The Future?

Blueprint for the Future (BFF) is a project of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation that provides Aboriginal youth with a forum where they can be exposed to a variety of educational and employment-related information. BFF is a series of one-day career fairs held in two different major Canadian cities each year. These career fairs are focused on Aboriginal youth (aged 13-18) in Grades 10 to 12. BFF is designed to increase awareness of employment opportunities and associated training requirements in diverse sectors of the Canadian workforce.

Background Information:

Each BFF attracts roughly 1,500 Aboriginal youth. To date, the program has assisted approximately 25,000 youth who have attended career fairs in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto and Halifax.

NAAF works in partnership with private and public sector organizations, volunteers, local and national Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses and communities to make BFF the success that it is today.


Who organizes BFF?

BFF is organized by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF), a nationally registered non-profit, charitable organization. In addition to BFF, NAAF manages an Education Program, Taking Pulse and the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards. Please see the NAAF's homepage at http://www.naaf.ca for more information on these programs.


Who sponsors BFF?

Many organizations contribute to the success of BFF, including the program's lead partners –CIBC and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. In addition, Blueprint for the Future operates in partnership with many private and public sector partners. For a complete listing of BFF sponsors, please click here

BFF Career Fairs 2005-2006:

Two BFF career fairs are planned for fiscal 2005/06: BFF Winnipeg scheduled for November 29, 2005 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, and BFF Vancouver scheduled for January 25, 2006 at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre.


Why should your youth group attend?

BFF is one of the largest career fairs of its kind and provides Aboriginal youth with the opportunity to meet more than 100 high-profile industry leaders, role models and speakers from corporations and Aboriginal communities.

Many senior corporate executives, educators, sports figures and scientists have participated in BFF in order to increase awareness of the many diverse career options available in the Canadian workforce. Presentations have been provided by individuals such as Dr. David Suzuki, Grand Chief Phil Fontaine, Dr. Roberta Bondar, Actors Gordon Tootoosis and Diane Jones Konihowski and Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller.

What is the format for BFF?

BFF Career Fairs take place from 9 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. The full day consists of five concurrent sessions – four with speaker presentations and one in the Exhibitor Booth area. There are three sessions scheduled in the morning and two in the afternoon. In between is a complimentary lunch, followed by an address from the Keynote Speaker.

Each session will provide education and training requirements for various careers, as well as industry overviews and anticipated trends. Youth are given the opportunity to explore career possibilities and displays at the Exhibitor Booth area with professionals representing the private, public and education sectors. Speakers and exhibitors include local and national Aboriginal leaders as well as experts in each field.

What are the benefits for youth to attend BFF?

1. Youth have the opportunity to become more informed before making decisions regarding the career planning process.
2. Youth have direct access to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business leaders.
3. Summer employment opportunities may be available through participating corporations.
4. Youth will have a chance to win prizes by attending activities during the day.

Is there a Registration Fee to attend BFF?

No registration fees are charged to schools or organizations having their youth groups attend BFF. However all schools and organizations will be responsible for their transportation costs. A complimentary lunch will be provided.

Is there financial assistance or a special allowance available?

A limited number of hotel rooms have been allocated for youth groups who will be travelling long distances to attend BFF (see the Registration Package for details). Early pre-registration is required to ensure space availability. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided to youth groups staying at the hotel.

A special allowance for financial assistance may be available only through a direct sponsorship. Registrants must request this assistance when they submit their completed registration.

How do I register my youth group?

You can download the Registration Package from this website. Completed registration forms can be e-Mailed to: bff@naaf.ca, or faxed to the attention of Judy Kirby, BFF Event Coordinator at 416-926-7554.

Register early because space is limited!

How will I know if my youth group has been registered?

Your youth group will be confirmed as registered when you receive a Registration Confirmation Letter from BFF. Please ensure that your Youth Registration Forms are complete, as incomplete registration information will not be processed. Registrations will be evaluated on a first-come first-served basis. However completed registration forms do not guarantee your space at the BFF career fair.

Request for additional information:

You can request additional information by contacting BFF at 416-926-0775, toll free: 1-800-329-9780, fax: 416-926-7554 or via e-Mail: naaf@istar.ca. Please note that our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

REGISTRATION PACKAGES: Consist of Registration Guidelines and Forms

You can obtain the application by simply downloading the file of your choice.

In Association with the
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

A Special Project of the
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION

In partnership with:
CIBC

On November 4, 2004, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation announced the appointment of
Roberta Jamieson as its Chief Executive Officer.


UPCOMING DATES

February 9, 2005
Blueprint for the Future career fair (Ottawa, Ottawa Congress Centre)

March 31, 2005
12th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (Saskatoon, Saskatoon Centennial Auditorium and Convention Centre)

March 31, 2005
Deadline to apply to the Fine Arts scholarship program and Culture Projects program. (Students to submit applications by midnight)

May 1, 2005 Deadline to apply to the Aboriginal Health Careers program. (Students to submit applications by midnight)

June 1, 2005
Deadline to apply for Business, Science and General Education scholarship program. (Students to submit applications by midnight)

November 2005
Blueprint for the Future career fair (Winnipeg)

For more information please contact NAAF:
1-800-329-9780
416-926-0775
416-926-7554 (fax)
naaf@istar.ca

Copyright, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, Last modified:To obtain information concerning copyright ownership and restrictions on reproduction on this site, please contact: Scott Cavan, Director Media Relations: scavan@naaf.ca