The Cumberland House Cree Nation is hosting a youth conference later this month.
The conference named “Taking Back Our Youth” will be the first youth conference Cumberland House Cree Nation has hosted.
The event will feature a variety of different workshops covering topics like mental health, Nalaxone and harm reduction awareness, suicide, teen pregnancy, sex education and STIs, cultural teachings, beading, bullying, and more.
The event will also feature guest speakers such as Angelina Bear, Mary McAuley, and JR La Rose.
Alyssa Michelle, one of the organizers of the event, says it was created by three people and was first envisioned back in 2010.
“Taking Back Our Youth was just three people coming together; it was something I had envisioned back in 2010, but we didn’t have the resources, and I was just starting out to work with youth and give back to my community. Then I got this job, and me, the guidance counselor, and a mental health worker came together; it was something that the director of education had envisioned herself. We didn’t think it was going to work, but it’s coming along, and we’re just really excited,” she said.
“We just want to support our youth, to encourage a positive lifestyle. I know a lot of our youth struggle with self-esteem and anxiety; to bring suicide awareness to the community; to show that there’s more to life than getting in trouble with the law; and to not let bad choices be an excuse to continue going down the wrong path.”
Along with the workshops and guest speakers, the event will feature activities like art therapy, fishing, swimming, tug of war, fireworks, and more. The event will have a registration fee of $100 that will cover all activities as well as meals provided throughout the duration of the event. The Cumberland House Cree Nation’s youth conference will take place from June 26–30.