There is nothing more rewarding than meeting a respected and admired individual. That’s how the Aboriginal Studies 10 class from the Outreach School Centre felt when they got to meet Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and an Aboriginal Canadian leader.

Fontaine spoke at Red Deer College in March as part of the “Perspective Series” and the students were excited to be invited. They also had the opportunity to meet with Phil one-on-one before his speech.

 

Students asked questions such as, “What made you who are?” and “What knowledge could you give to us in our youth so we can become Aboriginal leaders like you?”

Phil advised students to be strong in who they are, and explained the importance of reading and education. He related the answers to stories about his childhood.  When he was younger, he didn’t like speaking to people. However, he became strong in his belief of himself, and today is a great public speaker.

Students left feeling positive and inspired by their meeting with Phil. One student exclaimed, “I’m going to be a leader of the Assembly of First Nations, just like Phil Fontaine.”

To the Aboriginal Studies students from the Outreach School Centre who aspire to be leaders in our communities in the future, we say