Youth need role models to keep it real

There's a big problem with some of today's supposed Aboriginal role models that is hidden and no one dares to talk about. It is more than a problem, it is a contradiction in their message to the youth when they say, "Don't drink, don't do drugs, stay in school, and you too can be somebody!"
In reality, the alleged role model does all of the above, but makes a living by lying about it.
It is not the National Aboriginal Role Models or the recipients of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards or other prestigious groups I'm referring too. I'm simply referring to the fake role models that hide behind their culture and supposed clean lifestyles. They get paid to tell their life stories and tell the kids to say no to everything that is bad under the sun. And then when the conference or event is over, the fake role model is out partying with their speaking engagement cheque. Hey, it's okay because the kids are not of age. They can't get into the bar so they won't see you, right? Wrong!
Well, unfortunately this kind of thing happens all the time at various conferences and events. And who is to blame? The fake role models or the people that hire them?
It's more the blame of the fake role models, because they're the ones who fill their bios and press kits with 'positive messages,' 'lists of their achievements' and 'cultural lifestyles' saying they have the message that will empower the youth. Bull!
The people that hire these fake role models are, to some degree, just as responsible, because not all 'super role models" are hired because of their credentials. They're hired because they know someone on the committee.
Most Aboriginal conferences that are well organized will do back-up checks to see if these role models are legitimate and they understand the responsibility they have as adults to the Aboriginal youth. Unfortunately, these fake role models can't seem to understand this logic.
Most people don't realize that "keeping it real" still means something to youth. These phony role models don't know when to turn it off and just be honest with themselves and to the youth. Every time they open their mouths to a bunch of high school kids and preach the "good word," they're lying to them straight in the face. And kids truly hate hypocrites.
You could even say RezX is a hypocrite, because we're covering this subject and more than likely throwing a big party next month. But the difference is, we're not going around to communities and Aboriginal conferences telling the kids that,"drugs and alcohol is bad" and then partying the same night with our per diems. We would rather tell the kids like it is because no one is being true to them anymore.
We live in a society that portrays a fake image for Aboriginal youth, pretending that every single Aboriginal person who was ever successful is a super clean role model that should be held in high esteem, only because they achieved something 'rare' and 'great'. When in reality, they're just like everyone else.
But what exactly is a role model anyway? The problematic answer could persist in what the older generation has set out for what a "super role model" is supposed to be: one who doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs, doesn't smoke, finished high school at 16 and is now a lawyer or doctor at 25! News Flash: Kids just don't relate to these role models anymore because they accomplished so much that the dream seems so unattainable, which is why youth reach for lower goals that are more attainable. Or in the worse-case scenario, end up in a life of gangs, drugs, alcohol and crime because the only role models they see are gang members, drug dealers, alcoholics and criminals on the corner.
So don't blame everything on the fake role model either because they're just trying to fit a perfect description so they can get hired at various conferences and events. And the thing is, they shouldn't have to fit a description. They should be able to just be themselves because not every one is a bad person.
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Maybe Aboriginal conferences and organizations need to simply lower their standards so these fake role models could come right out and say, "Hey kids I drink moderately, I smoke, I did drugs. What's up? Let's talk issues!" Then at least they wouldn't be lying to the youth and the youth could make their own informed decisions from there.
Until that happens, it is truly the youth that will suffer in the end. Not because they had to sit through an hour-and-half of bull, but because some of them really believed it.
So the next time you're at a conference or event and you spot the fake cultural phony role model, don't give in to everything they say or do, because chances are, you'll see them in the lounge when it's all said and done doing everything they professed not to do.
And one last message to the fake role models out there making a living off lies to the youth; maybe you should start thinking about cleaning up your act because the jig is up. The first warning shot has been fired! And to the conferences that hire them, fire them!
In the end, it is not reputations or egos that should be at stake. It should be the responsibility to the youth, because these days, Aboriginal youth are more intelligent. They are not to be underestimated and they can tell if someone is real or not. And that's as real as it gets!
Rizzo Out

Chris Tyrone Ross is the publisher & editor-in-chief of RezX, an Aboriginal arts and entertainment magazine. He is also pursuing his post-secondary education through the Indian Communication Art (INCA) program offered through the First Nations University of Canada in Regina.