Bent Arrow beckons youth

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A conference organized by Bent Arrow Healing Society, entitled "Lift us up Where we Belong," focused on a variety of Aboriginal youth issues, offering presentations on health matters, healing programs, culture, education, sports, drama, employment, parenting,and networking.

The youth-oriented event occurred March 19 to 20 at Edmonton's Ramada Inn. More than 125 youth delegates, adults and Elders attended the conference.

For the youth, it proved an opportunity to heighten their awareness about life's realities and how people deal and cope with them. Bent Arrow staff work with Aboriginal students in a number of city schools providing counselling, tutoring, cultural programming, guidance and direction.

A Friday evening banquet not only provided sustaining foods, but song and dance entertainment in addition to a keynote address by Cliff Supernault, provincial government assistant deputy minister, who is also a stone carver and a fine example of personal and professional achievement.

As chief administrator of Alberta's Aboriginal Affairs department, Supernault informed his banquet audience that Bent Arrow moved in the proper direction right from the start by including Elders.

Supernault explained how he grew up at Paddle Prairie and eventually moved away from his community to attend school in Fairview.

It wasn't easy being Aboriginal and attending a mainstream school and there were many times when he was tempted to quit, he said. But he hung in there and finished what he started and he's never regretted it. Today, he is glad he stayed in school despite the obstacles, especially racism.

"We fought discrimination by doing a better job in marks and in sports," he said.

Times change and so do the issues, he added. By the same token, some things remain the same. One need that has always been present for Aboriginal people is support systems, said Supernault.,ones that can fill the void created when one leaves family and community. The feelings experienced, like alienation and lack of opportunity are combated through organizations like Bent Arrow, said Supernault.

"You've got to laugh," said Supernault. "It's part of the healing process., It's important and Aboriginal people have always had the ability to laugh at ourselves," he stated.

With 49 per cent of the Aboriginal youth population under 19 years of age, education is a must, he said.

"We need to create opportunities," he said. Supernault believes there are many out there and there'll be still more when it comes to the northern reaches of Alberta.