Teens gather for anti-racism youth gathering

The youth-focused organization, Child and Youth Friendly Calgary, hosted its annual Youth for the Future Gathering on Oct. 24 to 26, an anti-racism event for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth.

More than 80 young people, teachers and volunteers from Kainai, Morley, Tsuu T'ina, Siksika and various schools in Calgary came together for three days at Camp Horizon in Bragg Creek. Sandra Goldstone, the project co-ordinator for the gathering, worked long hours planning for the event, along with staff and volunteers Ros Doi and Mike Dang, as well as a youth planning committee.
The gathering was set into motion with Elder Marion Lerat, who gave welcoming remarks and the opening prayer. Youth were then divided into color-assigned groups and given both an adult and youth facilitator who would help guide them through the next three days.

The participants were given an opportunity to ask cultural questions in a safe environment. The adult facilitator from Siksika Nation, Gaylene Weasel Child, has been part of the planning committee for this gathering since the first one back in 1998, said the youth in her group had questions such as "Why do Aboriginal people get so much money?" and "Why are they treated special?" Weasel Child said that she was taught by her family to be proud of who she is and that it was her responsibility to teach others about their culture and traditions, so questions such as these gave her the opportunity to educate the young people in her group.

Another activity designed to increase the participants' awareness of Aboriginal people was called the "Newcomer Game." This activity involved the youth being separated into two groups where the first gwas told to convince the other by any means possible to hand over all their belongings, and the second group is told to do whatever it takes to defend what was theirs. Neither group was told the purpose of the other. It was hoped that some understanding of intrusion and colonization would result out of this activity.

Other cultural teaching activities included a talking circle, legend telling, tipi building and the sacred use of tobacco sessions.

On the second day, the young people heard from Mike Lickers, executive director of Ghost River Rediscovery, who talked about his own life and career path as an Aboriginal man. The young people responded well to his sense of humor and interesting stories.

Lickers left the young people with some words of wisdom given to him by his own father: "As a leader you must always do what you say you are going to do." This advice was well-received as it was reiterated by facilitators throughout the gathering.

Drumocracy, created by Tanya Schur and run out of Red Deer, worked to help each youth and adult participant find their own beat and harmonize the individual drums into a group sound.
Rolling into the second evening, youth greeted dancers from Wandering Spirit, an Aboriginal organization designed to teach and raise Aboriginal awareness. Wandering spirit demonstrated traditional powwow dancing. Executive Director of Wandering Spirit, Jackie Soppit, dressed in full regalia, as were her son and daughter, provided background on each dance and dress. Youth participated in the dancing, some laughing at their lack of skill, others having a natural knack for it all. The evening ended in a traditional round dance.

Goldstone, and the other adult facilitators, wanted the youth to leave the gathering with a heartfelt purpose and understanding of the event. An important component to the gathering was journaling, a opportunity for youth to reflect on what they were learning over the three days. Additionally, the young people were separated into groups to discuss future plans to raise cultural awareness. Ideas such as Web sites, anti-racism youth groups, school powwows and a school mural symbolizing unity were all mentioned as possible.

The Youth for Future organizers brought many useful activities to the table to raise cultural awareness at the gathering. In sharing her perspective on the gathering, Weasel Child said "So much of what is seen in media and movies about Aboriginal people is negative. A gathering like this is a way for people to see us as people, and not stereotypes. It also allows my youth to make new friends, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and for the Aboriginal communities to come closer together."