Youth Look to the Future

Page 7

When two highly successful events merge, the result is sure to be phenomenal. The events that came together in Thunder Bay, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, were the Niigaantige Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards and the Niigaantige Looking to the Future Career Fair. Susan Aglukark, Ted Nolan, and Buffy Ste. Marie were in attendance as role models and to encourage the young participants on to bright futures.

The Youth Achievement Awards came about to recognize outstanding achievements of Aboriginal youth in a broad range of categories. The purpose of the event is to build self-esteem and pride for the Aboriginal community.

The banquet and award ceremony had a touch of the Academy Awards to it: celebrities and dignitaries were present, guests were all dressed up, beautiful young ladies escorted winners on stage, and Master of Ceremonies Dave Jones of the Garden River First Nation, kept the large crowd laughing.

As well as recognizing achievement, the Youth Achievement Awards are meant to inspire Aboriginal youth to preserve and use the Anishinabe culture and language.

Sandra Kakeeway of the Indian Friendship Society in Thunder Bay said, "These awards are important to acknowledge achievement and create role models. A lot of good people in the Native community are never recognized. It's time they were." Several grand chiefs encouraged the young people not to forget their culture, their values, or their communities when they become the leaders of tomorrow.

Although this was the inaugural Youth Achievement Awards, the Niigaantige Career Fair is in its fourth year. Co-ordinator Rose Yesno said, "Each year the exhibits have doubled. In conjunction with the career exposition are three days of workshops and tours to promote careers and positions within the community."

Some of the workshops available to the participants were: Armed Forces, Superior Science, Business, Recording Business, Computers, Business Turtle Concepts: Options for People, and Forestry. Life skills presentations such as parenting, gang awareness, and anger management were also available. Entertainer Susan Aglukark gave a motivational seminar.

Kathryn Morris, a young lady from Kasibonica, participated in the events and had this to say: "This type of thing definitely helps out when you are deciding what to do with your life. The tours were interesting and I learned a lot. Students get to see what is available. When our Elders go to this much effort, we feel that we have their support. It boosts our confidence and helps us set goals."

Grand Chief Leon Jourdain of Treaty 3 said, "It is time for the rebuilding of nations. There is a great necessity for youth to be educated because, with education, we will build our foundations." With events such as the Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards and the Niigaantige Career Fair, Elders and youth alike can be encouraged to look to the future.