Youth learn about work world while having fun

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Hobbema's youth got a chance to play show and tell with the Edmonton Eskimos, Miss Teen Alberta, a youth empowerment speaker, television hosts, and two rap groups.

At Hobbema's fifth annual trade show held May 15 to 17, a special evening was set aside for the youth. On the evening of May 17 a Youth Show and Tell Autograph Session and Dance Party with guest role models was held.

"We know that a lot of the kids like rap music so we use that as a way to draw the kids. So what we've done is to try and create a bit of awareness with bringing in a youth empowerment speaker and other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal role models," said Samson Cree Nation's Business Development Co-ordinator, Milton Okeymow. "We try to bring in different types of role models to give the kids a variety of people to talk to."

The evening was held as an open discussion format with television personalities Sabrina Wood and Leon Anthony of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network's show, Saturday Night at Rising Sun Cafe, playing hosts.

"It's shadowing role models for the kids. The kids out here on reserve don't see these types of television people out here on a day to day basis," said Okeymow. "So what we wanted to do is have that visual aid so in that capacity we could have the richest form of communication. That is of course a one-on-one relationship and discussion for our kids out here."

Edmonton Eskimos A. J. Gass, Chris Hardy and Rick Walters were also on hand signing autographs and discussing career paths with the youth. Miss Teen Alberta's Raven Buffalo and youth empowerment speaker Darrell Gerrits also attended the event.

"It's a great experience to come out and meet the kids out here. To come out to talk to some of the young people is cool. We were up in Lac La Biche and Beaver Lake and Cold Lake a couple times," said Walters. "So we have been out to a few reserves before and it's a lot of fun. Anytime you can come out is important for the kids. Kids are kids and it's great to come and talk to them."

As a pilot project, the Youth Show and Tell focused less on cultural aspects than on a mainstream element for the youth.

"We try to touch on self esteem and self awareness and don't touch so much on a cultural focus," said Okeymow.

With successful Aboriginal rap music groups like War Party and Red Power Squad performing, a mainstream youth entrepreneurship was emphasized for the youth in attendance.

"If you look at our demographics our youth are going to be shaping our future communities and economies," said Okeymow. "Approximately 85 per cent of our Aboriginal people are going to be retiring within the next few years. So we need to focus on helping our youth toward a variety of mainstream career paths and that is what we are hoping to help do tonight with our role models."