Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

10th Annual Red Lake Nation Youth Leadership Conference kicked off on Wednesday - P12

The 10th Annual Red Lake Nation Youth Leadership Conference began on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 and will run through Friday, May 1, 2015, at Red Lake High School in Red Lake Minnesota. This years conference theme is "Growing Together, Stronger Together."

Presentations and workshop are scheduled for each day from 8 AM to 3 PM, and just a half day on Friday.

Several workshops will occur simultaneously. New additions this year include culturally related workshops on moccasin making and fry bread making. Other topics include how suicide affects the family, substance abuse and teen pregnancy, self-esteem, positive lifestyles, and Red Lake history and constitutional reform.

This is the tenth year that the Red Lake Tribal Council, tribal programs and other organizations have sponsored this event for the youth of the Red Lake Nation and others. A host of Red Lake member professionals, and well-known guest speakers and performers from across Indian Country, will join together to share their knowledge in leadership skills to motivate youth, and to promote native values, tradition, and culture.

Today, an opening ceremony and prayer kicked off the conference, with Dr. Ann Lundquest, Superintendent of Red Lake Schools, provided the Welcome Address, followed by the Youth Council Address by Brandon Strong and Jerald Cobenais, and Facilitator Chance Rush gave an introduction to the Presenters.

Actor Michael Spears gave the Key Note Address, and Spears will also be the guest speaker at the annual banquet scheduled for Thursday evening.

Afternoon workshops included: Moccasin Making with Vickie Fineday; Fry Break Making with Jessica Roberts; Positive Life Styles with Rueben Crowfeather; How Suicide Affects the Family with Jerome LeBeau, Michael Peters and Jerald Cobenais; Art of Expression with Thomas Barrett; Red Lake Youth Council with Matt Antone, Rory Spears, Jerald Cobenais and Brandon Strong; Youth Panel-Clan Systems with Eliza Lussier, James Cloud III, Cory Whitefeather Jr., Sam Kingbird and Branigan Patterson; Red Lake History and Constitutional Reform with Justin Beaulieu; Power of Positive with Robert Johnston; and Motivation with Michael Scott.

Several schools in addition to Red Lake were invited to participate. Last years participants included youth from Leech Lake, White Earth, the Bug School, Bemidji, Voyageurs Charter, and others.

Thursdays session will begin with the Welcome Address by Red Lake Tribal Chairman Darrell G. Seki Sr. and guest speaker Motivational Speaker Michael Scott after the morning prayer.

This event was sponsored by: the Red Lake Indian & Free Prevention Treatment Program, Red Lake Chemical Health Programs, the Red Lake Tribal Council and the Red Lake School Board.

 

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