Youth conference goes to the street

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Walking through the back alleys of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside isn't likely to be most people's idea of a conference workshop. Neither would hip-hop dance lessons and basketball at the Y. Yet these were all important items on the agenda at the first Aboriginal Youth, Violence and Troubling Times training conference called Preparing Our Youth for a Healthy Future. Held March 6 to 8 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Vancouver, the conference was organized by First Nations Training & Consulting Services (FNTCS).

Organizer Edith Loring-Kuhanga, president of FNTCS, explained that the conference agenda was set up in a triage format to identify problems, to find the causes of the problems and to brainstorm solutions.

More than just a we'll-talk-you-listen conference, the three-day event was an interactive opportunity for discussion, forums, workshops, role-playing and feedback. The idea for the youth conference came from the annual Aboriginal Women and Leadership conference.

"They (delegates) identified the need and asked the possibility of a youth conference. We were kind of going on new ground, but it's turned out really well," said Loring-Kuhanga.

One of the main attractions for the youth was award-winning actor and rap artist Litefoot, although it was feared he would be unable to make the conference.

"He got caught up in a snowstorm in Tennessee. We were frantically trying to reorganize," said Loring-Kuhanga.

Fortunately Litefoot made a later flight and got in about 6 p.m., in time for an impressive performance, which was appreciated by youth and adults alike. He also gave a 45-minute talk to the youth about violence and not getting involved in gangs.

"The youth were almost mesmerized by him," said Loring-Kuhanga. "They just listened. It was amazing, you could hear a pin drop. He gave a strong message about their identity, taking pride and leading a clean and drug-free life."

The most popular workshop was Reality Check for Indigenous Youth. Although organizers put two tours on the agenda, the demand was so great that they doubled up.

"We felt we had to respond to that demand . . . 48 people went," said Loring-Kuhanga. Delegates went down to the Eastside police station on Main Street, where they were met by Morris Bates, a victim assistance worker with the Vancouver Police & Native Liaison Society. After watching a video in the police station, Bates led them through the back alleys of East Hastings Street.

Said Loring-Kuhanga, "The youth were amazed at the realities on the street, amazed at how many of our youth, looking for a better life, get involved in drugs, alcohol and prostitution. I think it really hit home with some of them." After each of the tours, an Elder was available for debriefing for youth who wanted to talk about the experience further.

Other highlights included special guest speaker Evan Adams, an accomplished writer/actor-turned-doctor who is currently doing an internship at St. Paul's Hospital. He spoke to delegates about the kinds of things they could expect if they went away and got an education. The resounding message: No matter what you choose to do, you are capable of it if you put your mind to it.

"Afterwards, there were lineups of people waiting to talk with him and get his autograph," said Loring-Kuhanga.

She said the feedback from delegates was positive. "We're very interested in having the conference as an annual event. Whether it will be in a different location has yet to be decided. If we did move it, we'd probably move it to Winnipeg or Toronto. We've had so much interest in it across the country."