"I don't want people to go through what I went through. ” That was one of the reasons Stoney Nakoda First Nations resident Gage Beaver, 18, gave on why he joined the Nakoda Youth Council last year.
"I don't want people to go through what I went through. ”
That was one of the reasons Stoney Nakoda First Nations resident Gage Beaver, 18, gave on why he joined the Nakoda Youth Council last year.
“When I was young I didn't have the best upbringing and grew up with bad role models, ” Beaver explained.
“I knew this would be a good opportunity to get involved and I wanted to help the younger generation have a lifestyle I couldn't have. ”
Initiated in 2014 as a response to the high suicide rate among young people on the Nation, the Nakoda Youth Council was formed by three members who wanted to give hope and opportunities to the younger generation.
“I want the youth not to be afraid or feel like they are not valued or have no purpose because that is how I felt growing up, ” Lonnie Dixon, 23, current youth council member said.
“We are the future and if you don't get involved, what would our future look like? We need to get involved and we need to be heard. ”
For the past three years, the council has given opportunities to the next generation on the Nation including hosting different cultural camps, offering camp spots at Sioux Alliance Camps in Canada and opportunities to travel to conferences in North America on behalf of the younger Stoney generation.
“It's a good awakening to see other youth stand up for empowerment, ” Dixon said.
Most recently a group of seven from the Nakoda Youth Council attended a conference in New York City in April to discuss issues facing the nation and learn about other reservations across North America.
“It was an experience - there were a lot of issues and it made me realize we aren't the only community with issues, ” said Candace Alexander, 28, member of the council.
The Nation - compromised of three bands, Wesley, Chiniki and Bearspaw - has been facing a number of issues over the years, including but not limited to poverty, unemployment, addictions issues, crime and suicides.
Most recently, methamphetamine use across the Nation in the past year has been attributed to high crime and overdoses.
“This (council) has a lot to do with influencing our children and youth. I want to show them no matter where you are or where you come from you can reach your goals and you can succeed in life no matter what lifestyle you face, ” Alexander said.
In addition to offering various empowerment opportunities throughout the year, the council also hosts a weekly meeting on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Resource Centre (formerly the Wesley Nation Elders Lodge).
“For the past couple of years, I've seen a change in the youth. Kids are happier and there is not as much negativity … there is a more positive vibe, ” Beaver said.
Completely self-governed with no official funding - other than donations and grants received to host events and attend conferences - the council hit a rough patch last year after losing their venue for the youth centre. With no funding from the three bands, the Nakoda Youth Council only recently got a permanent spot to host the weekly meetings again this month after partnering with the Wesley Resource Centre to use a board room once a week free of charge.
“We also want to create unity within our community. There are three bands and things can get divided by politics. We want to raise awareness that we need to start standing together - we are stronger as one, ” Dixon said.
Inviting youth from all the bands to get involved or just join a safe place once a week to talk about what is going on in their lives, the youth council wants to extend an invitation to youth, and elders, to stop by one of the weekly meeting and share ideas or just share their stories.
“We just want support and guidance - we are young but we can still learn, ” Dixon said.
For more information or to get involved with the group, go to the council's Facebook page at facebook.com/NakodaYouthCouncil/
