Jocelyn Formsma is Swampy Cree from Moose Cree First Nation, but was raised in Chapleau and Timmins.   Jocelyn has been a youth advocate since the age of 17.  Although most of her work has been with the Friendship Centre Movement at the local, provincial and national level, she has also been involved as an independent consultant with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, promoting Indigenous Youth and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Reconciliation in Child Welfare steering committee and a research project with the University of Western Ontario on the Cultural Appropriation of Violence Prevention programs and Aboriginal Youth.  Jocelyn has been involved with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Decade for Youth Council since 2005 and holds the Social Justice Portfolio.

Words from Me

Although I do not live in the NAN territory due to work and school commitments, I still care a lot about what happens in my home territory of NAN.  As Social Justice Chair, I have tried to bring more awareness to the NAN Youth Council about the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the situation for First Nations children involved in the child welfare system and Youth Leadership opportunities.  I have also used my position as a national youth coordinator in an Aboriginal organization to speak about the work being done in the NAN territory and how it can be an example for other communities to make a commitment to young people, back it up with the resources and support from leadership and work towards making a difference focused on the positive and the strengths within our communities.

I am very proud of my territory and where I come from.  I hope to return someday to raise my family and give back.