Actors guide young people

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For actors Tanya Tourangeau and Stuart Lennie, taking a deeper look at what many Aboriginal youth face in urban communities is a goal that they are focusing on. Both are committed to providing positive Aboriginal identities in youth by helping them deal with issues of racism, teen sexuality and parenthood through workshops and acting lessons. One workshop features a short film called Ocean, which is about racism.

"In Ocean, acting allows us to explore issues that many Aboriginal youth face. It gives everyone a chance to see past the dust in the issues and look towards brighter skies," said Tourangeau, program co-ordinator. "The second workshop we do is on acting. We give 20 hours of instruction that deal with auditioning, character development and voice development," she said.

In January, both she and Lennie started a non-profit organization for youth called Back To Our Roots Aboriginal Youth Heritage Association.

"We plan to travel to a lot of different communities giving the workshops. We want to be positive mentors. So far it is going good. Like everything else, it is better to go slow then to never start at all," said Tourangeau.

"Basically it is about leading a clean life and showing youth that people can live in the city and still live clean and sober. A lot of Aboriginal youth are forced to turn away from their roots thinking that if they do they will face less criticism and racism from mainstream society," she said.

By Yvonne Irene Gladue.