SADDLE LAKE – As a way to celebrate youth, Saddle Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) Band Programs presented its inaugural SLCN Youth Conference from March 24 to 27 at the former Onchaminahos School.
“The youth are our future,” said Nicole Gladue, a coordinator of the event.
Activities during the event include facilitators of different occupations teaching and hosting activities through breakout sessions in the school's many classrooms. From self-empowerment to cultural teachings, there were many things the youths participated in.
Guest speakers were also invited to offer insight.
You are valued
“We need [the youth] to know that they’re valued... that there are opportunities out there... teachings for them,” explained Gladue. “We just want them to know that... they can succeed.”
Chantel Prairie Chicken, lead event coordinator, said the event was also an opportunity to have the Nation’s youths come together and heal, “and bring awareness to our current crisis we’re facing in our community – the opioid crisis.”
The four-day event had themes for each day: self-esteem for day one, goal setting for day two, promoting sobriety through awareness for day three, and healing for day four.
The activities that happened for each of those days encompassed those themes. On day two, a keynote speaker discussed healthy relationships, bullying, and lateral violence. Another speaker discussed entrepreneurship.
And for day three, breakout sessions focused on opioid effects, harm reduction, and substance awareness, facilitated by doctors and nurses, said Prairie Chicken.
The event was also an opportunity to have fun. Some of the evening activities included a fashion show, mini round dance and even archery.
Nobody Cares
Prairie Chicken has been working with youth for the last eight years. She has heard many stories from young people, “saying ‘nobody cares’,” or they feel as if they are being brushed off to the side.
“We have to answer that call,” she said. “That’s where this [conference] came to play.”
She added, “It’s always being said that our youth are our future leaders. So, we need to start nurturing that... We need to start teaching them our ways. Our elders that we have today, they’re not always going to be here."
Prairie Chicken said the conference was not a one-time thing. But organizers will also follow-up with participants after the conference.
It took months to organize the conference, according to Prairie Chicken and Gladue.
“So, I would like to extend a big thank-you to everyone involved,” from band programs, volunteers, organizers, to facilitators and guest speakers. “Our thanks goes above and beyond,” said Prairie Chicken.
Gladue agreed. A big-scale conference such as this took a lot of resources and people. It was a team effort.
