Red Lake Nation Youth Council Attends Youth Day at the Capitol

March 14, 2013 –The Red Lake Nation Youth council visited the Capitol on March 13, 2013 to participate in the (6th Annual) Youth Day at the Capitol. Shauntay Roy, Rory Spears, Celina Johnson, Salena Branchaud and Marilyn Mountain spent the day educating policy leaders about the benefits of quality youth development programming and engaged youth in the legislative process. Pictured with District 2A Representative Roger Erickson.

“All young people need and deserve high-quality youth development experiences that will prepare them for life, and the Red Lake Nation has a great opportunity to do our part to help the youth in our community succeed,” said Marilyn Mountain, Youth council Advisor. “Youth Day at the Capitol is an excellent opportunity to shine a light on youth issues and teach our young people the importance of participating in their democracy.”

Youth and their families depend on high-quality youth development programs and they bring lasting benefits to the Red Lake Nation. Young people who participate in quality youth development programs are more likely to be:

• active citizens,

• settled in stable personal relationships,

• employed and economically self-sufficient and

• happy with their lives as young adults

Investment in youth programming is an investment in a healthy Minnesota. Every Minnesotan benefits when the next generation of young adults are better prepared to contribute to our economy and community.

Youth Day at the Capitol unites youth programs from across the state of Minnesota and is an effort to educate policy makers about the issues that face Minnesota's youth every day.

The Red Lake Youth council is an organized group of youth from ages 14 to22. The youth council plays a major role in the annual youth conference and other activities in Red Lake. In October, 2012, three members of the Red Lake Youth Council were selected to serve on the Native Youth Alliance of Minnesota (state wide Native youth council) to represent Red Lake. They are Shauntay Roy, Rory Spears and Celina Johnson.