Aboriginal Youth Look Forward to Bright Futures

By: Julie Bogle

You learn through listening.

Today was about bringing a group of people together with a common vision, who approach issues from different angles. Today was about empowering youth and inspiring people. Today identified common problems and sought out solutions. Today was the start. Through this multi-faceted approach, we can succeed.

We heard three success ‘life stories’. Senator Patrick Brazeau is the 15th aboriginal and 3rd youngest senator to be appointed in Canada. Dr. Alika Lafontaine is finishing his residency in anesthesiology and won “Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister” in 2008. Ashley Callingbull is the first aboriginal Miss Canada and has a scholarship to CalTech for a Masters in Astrophysics. All three speakers came from humble backgrounds and overcame vicious struggles on their road to success. All three are still striving forward and lead by example. All three had faced discrimination and financial hardships. Do you know anyone with similar circumstances? Can they be high achievers too?

Of course! Everyone is faced with opportunities and challenges. Through mentorship and community, we can do more than achieve our goals. We can surpass them.

At the end of the day, participants stated that they were grateful for what they have, while recognizing the need for community support to follow the way of the creator. You are not alone. We all need to say sorry and we need to forgive. We collectively support one another, and together we all achieve in making changes in our communities.

Blaze Russell, a youth from Kiani, closed the day’s activities with these words:
“Try hard. Your dreams are your future. They’re your keys. Listen to your elders. They’re only here for a limited time to guide you like a Yellow Brick Road.  Live like this is your last day. We’re all the same, but a different name, a different destiny, a different dream, with the same heart. As human beings, we stand for one purpose. Our mission today is to get ahead, get to our future. “

Success Stories:

Senator Patrick Brazeau
“Ask yourself: Where am I now? What do I want to be when I grow up? What am I willing to do to get there?”
Senator Brazeau didn’t have a golden path to the senate. Through hard work, ambition and creating challenges and goals, he was named the 15th aboriginal and 3rd youngest senator in Canadian history. On his path he faced racism. He didn’t like school but he persevered because he knew he had to create opportunities.
If you take advantage of opportunities, you will become a better person. Your family will improve, your community will improve, and your country will improve.

Dr. A Lafontaine
“Mentorship will help you succeed. It’s too tough on your own. By drawing on knowledge from people who have experience, and who have accomplished things you want to accomplish, you can emerge as a positive influence. “
Alika has been in post-secondary school for 15 years and is almost finished his residency in anesthesiology. In grade 4, his principle told his mother that he would never graduate high school and that she shouldn’t expect too much from him. She didn’t buy that. Alika was pulled from school, his parents realized his learning problems were due to ear infections, and he graduated high school- at the age of 15. A chemistry teacher mentored Alika and made all the difference.  He believed in Alika’s abilities and helped break down limits to what could be achieved.

Ashley Callingbull
“Be grateful for everything you have.”
Ashley’s childhood was difficult. She lived in poverty, was physically and sexually abused, and discriminated against. Now she’s Miss Canada (the first aboriginal to hold this title) and completing her double degree in drama and physics. She’s been offered a scholarship at CalTech for astrophysics, she’s been sponsored for flight school (to follow up on her aviation diploma) and she’ll be appearing on a TV show in January. She’s accomplished, diverse, and only 21.

Ashley is a role model for any youth leader.  You don’t need life on a silver platter to achieve. If you’re thankful for what you’ve been given and work with what you have, you can succeed.