YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CAMP GROWS INSPIRATION

By Maajiitaaziibiikwe, Mary Sam

For many kids, winter break can be boring and sometimes lonely. For 60 4th- through 12th-grade youth from across the Band, this was not the case. The Health and Human Services Substance Use Disorders (SUDS) Department, along with the Aanjibimaadizing Program in collaboration with District I Representative Wind's office, held the second annual Youth Empowerment Camp during the December school break. Kids attending were engaged, active, and energized over two days to be their best selves.

According to SUDS Program Director Chandell Boyd, the goal of the Youth Empowerment Camp is to provide a safe and healing environment where youth can learn and build confidence and connection with fellow community members. The camp provided opportunities for youth to learn new skills and gain tools to help them heal and be empowered.

“The skills the youth learned can be carried with them for the rest of their lives,” Boyd said.

Over the two-day event, youth created, built structures, balanced on tight ropes, learned together, found their courage, danced, laughed often, and participated in many team-building activities, all of which were laced with cultural connections. Activities ranged from painting clan symbols, challenging team-building activities, communication and cultural teachings, learning about the jingle dress, and dancing, both western modern dance and side-stepping. Presenters included: Adrienne Benjamin, John Benjamin, Joseph Benjamin, Taliya Benjamin, Darcie Big Bear, Kim Big Bear, Amanda Nickaboine-Meyer, Mary Sam, Bobby Eagle, Virgil Wind, Darla Roache, Nick Cash, and Dr. Sulik.

The camp was not only inspirational for youth but for the adults who participated as well. Those helping with the event noted how awesome it was to see the big smiles of our youth, the kindness they showed one another as many took huge risks over the two days, and they had nearly a hundred percent engagement of the youth in all activities. “The kids had so many questions and such good discussions," Bobby Eagle said. "I feel so proud.”

There were a few youth who mentioned that initially they were not too eager to attend, but by the second day, they were telling staff they didn’t want the day to end.

Darcie and Kim Big Bear led dance sessions. Both said they were inspired by the kids' excitement to participate. The youth demonstrated they were thriving in a good way. Our culture is strong and moving forward in a positive way.

The kids learned dance songs like Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, etc., but they also included side-step and round dance songs. “The kids really lit up during the side-step and round dance songs,“ Darice said. “Even the kids who were the wallflowers came out and danced with us with smiles on their faces. You could see how proud they are of their culture.”

Representative Wind shared that this event was about the kids. “The camp was about really getting to know our kids; understanding their needs, fears, what holds them back, what makes them want to learn more, and providing real tools; whether those are lessons in bravery, courage, listening, or finding confidence. This is a small but important investment into our prevention efforts and maintaining healthy kids.”

Camp ended with an evening dinner and dance party, which included disco lights, balloons, and rock-n-roll, and ended with a round dance.

“I would like to thank the youth who attended, the SUDS team, DI Rep. team, Aanjibimaadizing Program staff, and all the presenters who helped make the Youth Empowerment Camp a success,” said Boyd. At the request of youth, the SUDS Program will be adding a summer camp to expand on the great work that has started