Young people have something to say

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At a recent children's conference, it was the adult delegates who came to listen. That is why two young Native women came to the First Circle children's forum. They came to be heard and to find solutions to the many issues that affect them and other young people, said Caramele Auger, 19 and Crystal Gladue, 17.

"The kids have something to say and for once the adults have to listen," said Auger.

The conference saw more than 1,000 participants register for the first day and, for the second day of the conference, 350 delegates were selected to take part in discussion groups.

The discussion groups focused on five main areas that covered everything from substance abuse to the mind, body and soul.

Officials were there to listen and record the recommendations from the discussions, which will be released in a report later this year. Colleen Klein, wife of the premier of Alberta, is the chairperson for the first annual children's forum.

For Auger and Gladue, the conference was a good opportunity to share their valuable insights on what will make a difference for young people.

"Most teenagers are stuck in this whole thing that it's cool to be involved in crime. That's what it was like for me," said Gladue. She was a presenter at the violence, crime and safety workshop.

She wants to see a change for her children so they won't have to experience what she did. She also acknowledged that change will happen when young people decide to help themselves.

Both are from reserves north of the city, but both decided to live in Edmonton for the better education opportunities. Auger and Gladue have something else in common. They both became mothers at a young age.

Being a young mother means more responsibility, yet it was the realization of what that responsibility meant that awakened them to to want something more in their lives. Both young women were asked by an organization called Terra in Edmonton to attend the conference. Terra is an organization dedicated to helping pregnant and parenting teens.

"I didn't want to be on welfare for the rest of my life. It wasn't enough, I mean, I managed, but barely," said Auger. At the poverty and physical needs workshop, she talked about her personal experiences of being on social assistance.

Gladue believes a lot of young people are stuck in poverty or on social assistance because of little or no education. Young people are not on social assistance because they want to be, she said.

Finding a way out of the trap of poverty isn't easy, even when someone makes a decision to do it. It could be made easier by having enough activities for teenagers that don't require a lot of money, said Auger.

"Teens also need to know what drugs and alcohol do to you, but we need different programs where it isn't just adults talking to you," said Gladue.

Both of the young women agreed that anyone who is over 30 years old is not going to get the attention of most young people. That's because it usually becomes a lecture and it makes young people feel like they are doing everything wrong, said Auger.

"If I was 30 and I wanted to understand my daughter, I'd have to go back and remember how I was when I was a teenager," said Auger.

It takes action on the part of young people if they want to shape their futures and that action means more than just talking about what to do, said Gladue.

"We are the future and if we don't do anything about what we are getting from society, then it is only going to get worse," said Gladue.

The young women are pursuing their education without the financial help of their respective bands. It has taken loans from student finance to secure a chance at pursuing their dreams through an education.

For Gladue it's worth putting the time into school now, for the sake of her future. She is studying to become an accountant. Her best subject is math, she said.

For Auger, becoming a social worker is something she can see that will benefit others. Along with her life experience she can help other youg people to live out their dreams and not get caught in the trap of poverty or crime.