History

CFOY seeks to build bridges between First Nations community and surrounding community. They are a community-based committee that is run by volunteers, including First Nations members and individuals from local law enforcement. CFOY advocates for youth against many issues, including drug dealing, Substance abuse, Violence, Sexual abuse, and Suicide.

CFOY is the result of one woman from the Squamish Nation (Doris Xelemith Paul) taking a stand against the proliferation of drugs and alcohol on Nation lands and the devastating effect they were having on the youth. As a mother of four and a Nation Social development worker Doris was impacted first hand by the toll that drugs and alcohol were having on all generations of the Squamish Nation. Doris 'stepped up to the plate' and took the leadership role in pulling people together from within the Nation and other groups including the West Vancouver Police, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and some RCMP from North Vancouver.

Doris modeled CFOY after the highly successful CMAD committee created by Darrell Hillaire of the Lummi Nation in Washington State. The Lummi Nation has taken action for drug awareness and community healing.

The first meeting of CFOY was in the Emergency Response Centre at 147 E 15th St in North Vancouver in March 2004. Since that inaugural meeting the committee has undergone change by numerous people and organizations joining in on a volunteer basis.

Accomplishments

The only standard to which any organization can be evaluated to is how its efforts have made a real difference to the people it is supposed to help. In this respect CFOY has been very successful in its mission. Some of the events that testify to this are as follows:

• three marches in support of ALL victims of sexual abuse which culminated in a rally front and centre at the Annual Pow Wow on Capilano reserve;
• three reserve clean up days which included participation of the West Vancouver Police, Fire Department, members of Squamish Nation Chief in Council, and representatives of the councils of West and North Vancouver cities and District.
• three anti drug rallies and marches throughout Capilano reserve which further heightened community awareness and encouraged participation against drugs and alcohol abuse;
• cooperation with the West Vancouver Police in cleaning up problem houses and people thus reducing the potential of harm to youth and elders;
• numerous interventions in the lives of youth, parents and elders towards healing and recovery.

This is only a brief overview of CFOY and its accomplishments. They look to continue their work and foster safe communities for present and future generations for the Squamish Nation and all communities.