Youth camp examines culture

Page 4

A youth camp, hosted by the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council, is to be held during the week of August 17 ? 21. The camp will feature many activities as well as talks on issues which deal with youth today.

The camp is geared towards the youth between the ages of 13 and 17. It will feature activities such as canoeing, hide tanning, fishing and trapping. It will also include lessons on traditional games to be taught by Mike James.

A total of 11 groups from the Lesser Slave Lake area will be attending and groups from Alexander and Edmonton have also been invited.

The camp itself is situated at Martin River which is 24 km north of Slave Lake. Each group will be responsible for supplying their own tents and sleeping bags. Food and other necessities will be supplied by the Slave Lake Regional Council.

Each group is also asked to bring two or three Elders so that the Elders can talk about their culture and how it has changed.

George Goodstriker, of the St. Paul Treatment Centre, will give lectures on the abuse of alcohol and drugs and how these problems can be stopped.

Mary Burlie, from the Boyle Street Co-op Crisis Centre in Edmonton will be giving lectures on peer pressure and how it can be avoided.

About 120 youth are expected. National Native Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (NNADAP) Coordinator Cameron Willier says that the camp will be full of activity and believes it will be an overall success.

"I expect it will set a trend for years to come so that we may hold another camp next summer and other summers to come," says Willier.

If you'd like more information on the youth camp call him at 523-4390 or Marilyn Willier at 523-4426 or 523-4800.