Youth gain strength from conference

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A three-day conference organized by the Calgary-based Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) featured speakers and participants from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Despite these differences, the Fire Keepers Gathering 2000, held September 22 to 24, delivered a single, strong message about empowering Aboriginal youth. The message was that it is up to individuals to empower themselves.

It was clearly stated by Peter Many Wounds, the CEO of the First Nations Employment Training Network, a non-profit employment agency that seeks to increase aboriginal employment in the oil and gas sector. "Nobody can empower you, but you. We can open doors and create partnerships, but if the individual is not training, working and qualifying, what we do is not going to do any good."

That advice was echoed by Aboriginal Times publisher Roland Bellerose. While offering concrete examples from his own experience to those considering an entrepreneurial career, Bellerose also delivered a broader message to conference participants.

"It is up to you. It is truly your ability to create a forest fire within yourself or let it burn out. It's your choice."

The USAY members and executive provided ample evidence that Aboriginal youth are taking matters into their own hands and improving their lives. Board member Jason Little Light spoke of the obstacles he had overcome in his determination to finish high school. Calling it "one of the hardest things I've done," Little Light said he had a simple motivation. "I can't be perfect or a saint-it is impossible -but I can be a help to my people."

The president of USAY, Redmond Littlechief, also offered his personal experience as an example of what Aboriginal youth can accomplish. The 22-year-old described his troubled past including several brushes with the law as well as drug and alcohol problems. He was a habitual offender, and when he was between the ages of 15 and 18 two Calgary police officers were assigned to keep tabs on him. After spending two years in juvenile detention and five months in a boot camp for young offenders, Littlechief turned his life around.

"I surprised the police, the justice system and everyone who thought I was going to spend my life in jail," Littlechief told the conference. "I decided I want to be someone who breaks the stereotypes, not someone who reinforces racist attitudes."

That is the basic message of USAY itself. The organization is also dedicated to increasing understanding between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. Speakers included business leaders from both communities and, although the conference was not as well attended as organizers had hoped, Littlechief said it was an important gathering.

"I am proud of USAY and this conference. The attendance is a little less than expected, but the conference is still successful."

The measure of that success came when Littlechief spoke directly to the conference participants. "The answers are here in this room today. It is up to you to decide what to do with those answers."

The Hobbema-based rap group War Party provided the Saturday night entertainment.