Reserve holds youth workshops

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The children sat and giggled in the band hall's waiting room Nov. 19.

They were waiting for the first in a series of workshops hosted by the Muscowpetung First Nation.

When people passed through the doors, some saw children. Others, such as Phil, Bob and Vivian Anaquod, saw the leaders of tomorrow. And, they saw children who are going to need a lot of care, discipline and learning to be ready to become those leaders.

Phil Anaquod, a cultural co-ordinator at the Paul Dojack Youth Centre in Regina, led the first of the series of eight workshops, which are to be held two nights a week.

The seminars, which are being organized by the Muscowpetung Health Committee, are being held to help the youth who attend become better and more responsible adults, he said.

Within a century, First Nations society has gone through a lot of changes, mostly for the worse, said Anaquod. The workshops are a way for the community to help build the children's confidence in themselves and respect for others.

"Years ago there was a lot of discipline, good discipline, that was handed down by the grandfathers and grandmothers," he added.

"At one time our culture was our way of life," Anaquod said. "We lived the life of our customs, and who we were, as the customs of our people.

"Today we have that turned around. Our way of life is not our culture. We see our families being fragmented, and troubled youth in our midst.

"We need to put a focus on our young people," he added. "They are going to be our government and community leaders. We need to make an investment in their lives and their future. That's an investment in our future as well."

Topics for the youth include how to combat dating violence and gang activity, self-esteem and suicide prevention, and exploited children in the sex trade.

But it won't be an entirely serious time for the band's youth. Those who attend all eight of the workshops will be eligible to attend a MuchMusic video dance party at the end of this month.

"It is important to work with our youth," said Vivian Anaquod, a Muscowpetung band councilor. "We want them to get a good start."

A similar series of workshops on family issues will be held for adults on the reserve early next year, she added.

Isabelle Pratt, an Elder at Muscowpetung, is pleased that the seminars are being held for the band's young people.

"It's good, what they're trying to do for your youth," she said. "That's what we need to teach these young people. There's so much stuff going on around there."