Katimavik means "meeting place" in Inuktitut.
Founded in 1977, Katimavik is an alternative training program for Canadians aged 17 to 21 supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage. For seven months, participants live with ten other people to work in three regions of the country on a wide variety of community projects. A group is made up of one person from BC/Yukon, two from the Prairies/Northwest Territories/Nunavut, four from Ontario, three from Quebec, and one from the Atlantic provinces. The program provides an opportunity to learn French/English, discover three provinces, acquire work experience, and try out group living and working.
The cost of transportation, housing, food and activities are covered by Katimavik. In addition, participants received $3 allowance per day and a $1,000 bursary at completion of the program.
In 1999-2000, 891 young people participated in 81 projects. Two new summer programs, Leader 16-19 (six-week) and LeaderPlus 22-26 (nine-week), have been added for the 2000-2001 year.
Contact Information:
Katimavik - National Office
Port of Montréal Building
Wing 3, Suite 2160
Cité du Havre, Montréal, Québec H3C 3R5
Telephone : 1-888-525-1503
http://www.katimavik.orgJean-Guy Bigeau, Executive Director
E-mail: jgbigeau@katimavik.org
Updated March 17, 2000