The Our Legacy Youth Gathering will wrap up Friday in Prince Albert. (Submitted/ Tina Pelletier)

By Nigel Maxwell

Youth empowerment

Indigenous Youth conference sets out to spark change and create positive legacies

Mar 30, 2023 | 3:06 PM

Hundreds of youth from all corners of Northern Saskatchewan, have gathered in Prince Albert this week for a special conference and are discussing some serious topics related to gang awareness, leadership, mental health and education.

The “Our Legacy Youth Gathering” at Plaza 88, is geared for youth ages 11-21 and was the brainchild of a collaborative youth working group. This was organized through Shane Bird with Prince Albert Grand Council, Bianca Sanderson and Jolene Roy with Bernice Sayese Center, and Nicole Matheis and Daphne Masih with Community Building Youth Futures.

Shane Bird is the healing on the land coordinator for Prince Albert Grand Council and told paNOW the goal is to provide the youth with a safe place to talk about those serious issues in their own communities.

“In the spirit of reconciliations to show the young people that no matter where you come from or who you are, your traditional belief, your spiritual beliefs, that we don’t discriminate and we come together in unity,” Bird said.

Shane Bird was among the people who made the conference a reality. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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Roughly 16 communities have travelled to Prince Albert for the conference and over 300 youth participated in Wednesday’s activities. Bird noted the feedback has been very positive.

“They are very excited to be away from the community, they are excited to get that opportunity and there’s been a lot o smiling and a lot of laughing,” he said.

When the conference portion ends, Bird promises the discussion will continue. He explained the end goal going forward is to create a youth working committee within each of their involved organizations (Sask Rivers, Indian Metis Friendship Centre, PAGC etc.)

“We are trying to develop that youth working group to work for the youth by the youth,” he said, adding his own desire they can pitch ideas related to future programming within their respective communities.

Youth were encouraged Wednesday to make their legacy count. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Among the conference speakers are Walter Fiddler, a former gang member and current analyst assistant with the Nurturing our Warriors program funded through the University of Regina. On Wednesday, Fiddler spoke to the youth about gang awareness.

“In order for people to create change, then youth need to see real change and in order for them to see real change, they need to see these role modes living that healthy lifestyle,” he explained.

Fiddler explained researchers have learned gang violence is intergenerational, and that kids are essentially being born into that lifestyle.

“They found there’s basically no support for any help for men, single fathers or aboriginal men,” he said.

Noting a new study to create change has been launched in Prince Albert, Fiddler hopes to expand it to other communities.

PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte was also in attendance on Thursday and explained to reporters it was crucial for him to be there to support the youth.

“We always say as leaders, the youth are our future resources and I stand by that comment,” he said adding youth are the future leaders, as well as the future workforce for the betterment of their own communities as well as the urban centres.

Hardlotte noted with the advent of technology times have changed since he went to school but he also noted it is still just as important for the youth to learn about the past, their culture and their language.

“And I certainly thank the governments for that very important continued support for that land-based programming,” he said.

Hardlotte also noted PAGC will continue to work hard for the youth, to ensure they do have the opportunities, when ready to enter the workforce.

PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

In the spirit of celebration, ceremony, inclusivity and community, the gathering will be concluded Friday with a “Spirit of Reconciliation Round Dance” at Carlton Comprehensive High School Gym.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell