9th Annual Red Lake Youth Leadership Conference - P2

Hundreds of young people descended upon Red Lake High School for the Ninth Annual Red Lake Youth Leadership Conference held Wednesday, April 30, and continuing Thursday and Friday, May 1-2, 2014. The conference theme was "Seventh Generation Leaders."

Conferees came from miles around to participate in all or part of the three-day proceedings. Students and others from Leech Lake, White Earth, Bemidji, the Bug School, and other area schools engaged in youth leadership events. They included students from Fond du Lac, whose state tournament basketball players would play those from Red Lake in an all Indian exhibition game on Wednesday evening.

Workshops and presentations were held from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday, with a half-day Friday. As usual, a variety of fun and learning events happened simultaneously. Topics included suicide prevention, how

alcoholism and drug abuse affect the family, cyber bullying, the value of a college education, Ojibwe language, motivation, self-esteem, and walking the Red Road.

In addition there was entertainment by comedians Mylo Smith and Soup Juice, hoop dancer Jackie Bird, hypnotist Robert Johnston, and a banquet on Thursday evening was capped with valuable door prizes.

This is the ninth year that the Red Lake Tribal Council, tribal programs and other organizations have sponsored this well received event for the youth of Red Lake Nation and others. A host of Red Lake member professionals, and preeminent guest speakers from across Indian Country, joined together to share their knowledge in leadership skills to motivate youth, and to promote indigenous values, tradition, and language.

Day One Highlights: Wednesday, April 30, 2014

An Opening Prayer followed by a drum song by Young Kingbird was offered at the beginning of each days' activities in the High School Gymnasium. The conference facilitator was Chance Rush. (Three Affiliated Tribes ¬ Hidatsa)

Emcee One/Marcus Guinn (Osage & Potawatomi), who travels with Rush, filled the air with a variety of recorded music and sound affects throughout the event.

On the first day, as part of the opening ceremony, Rush, aided by Mylo Smith and Tom Barrett, Jr., set the pace for the conference by encouraging youth to pursue their dreams, to value education, and to share what they learn

with others. "This is your community, your home and your story," said Rush to those assembled.

First day opening ceremonies continued with welcoming remarks by Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr., and Red Lake Nation Youth Council President Brendon Strong. The Youth Council, with about a dozen members, is a key

player in the organization of the three day Youth Leadership Conference.

During the afternoon, assorted workshops were conducted to be replicated the following day. Some sessions were repeated several times so that participants could be involved with most - if not all ¬ sessions.

About 3:00 p.m., special guest Paige Thorson did a key-note presentation that included a "Child Abuse Prevention Walk" around the school campus.

At 7:00 pm, conferees and basketball fans from many communities gathered at the Red Lake Humanities Center for a high school exhibition basketball game between the two Indian teams that went to the state high school tournament, Red Lake and Fond du Lac. Red Lake eked out the win on the home court.

Day Two Highlights: Thursday, May 1, 2014

After a prayer, conference up-dates, and a key-note presentation by Saphire Brown on "Bullying," participants attended sessions they may have missed Wednesday afternoon. Lunch was followed by another round of workshops.

At about 2:40, Hoop dancer Jackie Bird (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota) performed, pulling several volunteers from the crowd to aid in her performance.

Bird, an effervescent woman in colorful regalia stepped out to center court carrying many multi-colored hoops. This was Jackie Bird, animated and charming. Bird is not only a hoop dancer, but a singer, inspirational speaker, fancy shawl dancer, designer, and artist.

"This dance has a different meaning for every tribe," Bird began. "For me, the dance is for healing. It has been passed down through my family from generation to generation. The hoops stand for the circle of life. Once it was a male-dominant dance, but with the world in need of more healing, women have now joined in. Four sets of hoops are used, each with a color of the four directions or races of peoples."

Bird performs the story of creation with her hoops. In her performance, Bird easily displayed an ability to get the audience involved with her contemporary and traditional music, song and dance. One woman and even Emcee Chance Rush were recruited to be wrapped in hoops so as to appear as bird. They were both instructed by Bird to fly about the room, to which they happily obliged. Bird said that woven throughout her performance are the intricacies and belief of her Native American culture.

Bird said that everything she does emerges from a deep love for her culture and people and also because of a deep respect for the Creator. "I feel I have been given a responsibility by the Creator to be an example for youth."

Banquet

The Youth Conference Banquet in Honor of the Youth Council Members began at 5:00 p.m. at Seven Clans Casino and Event Center. The menu included two different kinds of pasta, chicken strips, meatballs, salad and vegetable.

The banquet was again hosted by Emcee Chance Rush who warmed up the audience aided with music and sound effects by Emcee One (Marcus Guinn) before introducing the entertainment for the evening, comedians Mylo Smith and "Soup Juice."

The evening closed out with door prizes won with tickets distributed to conferees who attended the various workshops.

Day Three Highlights: Friday, May 2, 2014

The day kicked into gear about 9 a.m., with Chance Rush opening the day again with the help of Mylo Smith and Tom Barrett, Jr.

A General Assembly was held in the High School gym featuring a special performance by hypnotist Robert Johnston (Muskogee Creek/Choctaw). The popular and humorous Johnston, a professional hypnotist, had the audience rolling in the aisles as he had a dozen people meeting their favorite celebrities, chasing their noses, imitating various animals, and other outrageous and comical stunts.

Johnston, also a motivational speaker gave a pep talk before his performance. "Healthy Relationships start with healthy individuals," said Johnston. Johnston, a founding member of the Native Wellness Institute, is a motivational speaker, trainer and presenter who entertains as well as enlightens.

As a hypnotist, he has helped many people reprogram their minds to accept success into their lives, which was the last hypnotic suggestion that Johnston left with those who participated in his performance. Johnston was followed by a "Closing Circle" large enough to touch all edges of the gymnasium while Young Kingbird played a healing song. Chance Rush then asked Elder Frances Miller for a prayer suitable for the closing of the 9th Annual Youth Leadership Conference. Then while everyone shook hands in the "circle manner," Young Kingbird drummed a traveling song.

Many stayed for the skate board competition and Hip-Hop show held in the afternoon with music provided by Trevor Lussier of Rez Rap Records, in the school parking lot.

Sessions & Guest Speakers

"The key to living a "well life" is balance," said Chance Rush (Three Affiliated Tribes-Hidatsa) in a session billed as "Elements of Life" "As community leaders, we can encourage that balance in others by being an example ourselves," he said. "Wellness is a gift that needs attention and commitment. It doesn¹t mean we won¹t have our frustrating moments, but we can accomplish anything we set our minds to by implementing our social, mental, physical and emotional greatness."

Humor permeated a session dubbed 'Motivation' conducted by comedian and motivational speaker Mylo Smith (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux). Smith used humor to illustrate serious problems facing youth. He used his own life experiences with alcohol, drugs, violence, sexual abuse to demonstrate how things can be turned around to live a free life using positive life styles.

Donna Fox gave a sobering presentation on Suicide Prevention entitled QPR or Question, Persuade, Refer, as the basis for her presentation and how to work with those who may need help. Fox brought honesty and compassion to a serious subject in her presentation, and created a space for participants to learn, heal, and reflect.

Toward the end of Fox's presentation, Elder Frances "Frannie" Miller told a heart-wrenching story with great courage, from her personal life, so that youth might benefit from her experience. Oran Beaulieu, Director of

Comprehensive Health Programs, then reminded the audience of the services provided in the area of suicide prevention at Comp Health.

Other sessions included one entitled "Against the Current, Walking the Red Road" with Brian Morris Hurdley, and "Cyber Bullying" with Happy Frejo.

Sessions By Red Lake Members/Professionals

A new and important workshop was added this year entitled "Ojibwe Language" with Elder Frances "Frannie" Miller, with help from Zack Mitteness and Nate Taylor.

Taylor and Mitteness are often seen with Miller working on projects related to Ojibwe Language revitalization, and today was no exception. The trio tag-teamed with humor and games as they introduced youth to the lanugage of

their ancestors. Ojibwe words flowed effortlessly from some students, while others took a little more care in sounding out the syllables, as students matched 20 animal names in English with the Ojibwemowin. Miller would say the name in English, while the students would give the Ojibwe equivalent; Wolf, Ma'iingan; Frog, Omakakii; Cat, Gaazhagens; Skunk, Zhigaag; Dog, Animosh, Moose, Mooz.

"Ojibwemowin belongs to all of you," said Taylor. "It really gives you a sense of who you are when you look into your language."

The trio is working on the beginnings of an immersion school looking for a September start with one three-year-old head start classroom. The program is intended to grow by one classroom each year of operation.

"Our language is important to the survival of our culture," said Miller. "Without our language, our culture will die. This is not only true of Ojibwemowin but any endangered language in the world. What will we lose if we lose our language? We will lose the wisdom of our ancestors," she said answering her own question.

"The Value of a College Education" was presented by Red Lake Nation College President Dan King in the mini-theater. King talked about the progress of Red Lake Nation College, and how the advantage of a college education will now be available for Red Lake members and others right at home.

King narrated a PowerPoint presentation that showed artist renditions of how the new Red Lake campus will appear on the shores of Red Lake. He also provided information on how to locate and where to apply for grants and scholarships, and the requirements to get into college.

Other workshops conducted by Red Lake member professionals included:

"The Art of Expression" with Tom Barrett Jr., Baby Shel & Big MoBerg and "How Suicide Affects the Family" with

Jerald Cobenais & Star Jourdain.

And to the delight of all, the smell of leather permeated from one of the high school classrooms as the popular Hand-drum Making workshop with Darren Defoe was back after a one year hiatus.

"Get Up, Stand Up, Speak Up (for our Grandmas, Mothers, Aunts, Sisters) with Respect," was the title of a workshop conducted by Shari Smith, and Vickie Fineday. To illustrate their point, Fineday and Smith presented the Ojibwe Code.

"Honor Gichi-Manidoo (The Creator) for all his gifts; Honor the Aged, in honoring them you honor life and wisdom; honor life in all it's formsŠyour own will be sustained; honor womenŠin honoring women you honor the gift of life and love; honor promisesŠby keeping the gifts you will be kind; be peacefulŠthrough peace all will find great peace; be courageousŠthrough courage all will grow in strength; and be moderate in all things, watch listen and consider your deeds."

Anishinaabeg Code of Ethics

"Each morning upon rising and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within you and for all life, for all good things the Creator has given you and others," said Fineday. "Give thanks for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the guidance to be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit everyone."

Respect: "Respect means to feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something: to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy. Showing respect is a basic law of life," said

Smith. "Treat every person from the smallest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times. Never speak of others in a negative way whether they are present or not. Listen with courtesy what others say. Never walk

between or interrupt others who are conversing. Be truthful at all times and in all circumstance."

Fineday and Smith went on to define the term respect. "The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honor of one is the honor of all. Observe moderation and balance in all things. Know the things that lead to your well-being and

those that lead to your destruction. To serve others, to be part of a family, community, nation or world, in one of the main purposes human beings have been created. Do not just think of yourself."

"True happiness comes to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others," they said. "All races and tribes in the world are like a different colored flower. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator, all must be respected. Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms, in prayers, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude and in the words and deeds of our elders and friends." The impetus for the Youth Leadership Conference occurred after the formation of the Red Lake Nation Youth Council more than nine years ago. The group began looking for ways to teach leadership skills, and to celebrate the accomplishments of the Nation¹s youth academically and in other ways.

The Youth Leadership Conference was hosted by the Red Lake School District and sponsored by the following organizations; Red Lake Tribal Council, Red Lake School District, Chemical Health Programs, Indian & Free

Prevention/Treatment Program, and Youth Recreation Department.