Youth Leadership Conference 2011 held in Red Lake

The annual Youth Leadership Conference was held at the Red Lake High School Tuesday, April 26 through Thursday, April 28.

Facilitated by Chance Rush, the conference began with opening ceremonies and the Little Bear Drum on Tuesday, followed by the welcome address by Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd "Buck" Jourdain, Spiritual Elder Eugene Stillday, Youth Council President Shauntay Roy, guest speaker Red Lake Superintendent Brent Gish, and School Board Vice-Chair and Chemical Health Executive Director Tom Barrett. Other speakers in the following two days included Eugene Stillday, Carol Barrett, Eddy Wadda, and George Goggleye.

Workshops included Walking Together in a Good way with Robert Johnston; Warrior's Don't Quit, Eddy Wadda; Self Respect, Melissa Nichols; Young Women's Pride, Carol Barrett; Living a Positive Lifestyle, Mylo Smith; Hand Drum Making with Darren Defoe and Larry VanWert; Ojibwe Language, Eugene Stillday; Rez Jeopardy with Selana Branchaud and Charlene Defoe; Lyrical Healing, Jason "Smoke" Nichols; Ojibwe Language, Collins Oakgrove; Revitalization of Language and Tradition through Hip Hop, George Goggleye; Elements of Life, Chance Rush; Native American Culture and Hip Hop with Christian Takes Gun Parrish "Supaman"; and Cultural Teachings with Francis Miller.

Other events during the 3 days and into the weekend included an All Native American High School Basketball Tournament, a Round Dance Social, a Hip Hop Concert, a Banquet, entertainment by comedian Mylo Smith and Hypnotist Robert Johnston, and the Honor the Youth Pow Wow Friday through Sunday.