Local Indigenous students benefit from youth conference

Over 100 Indigenous youth from Red Deer Public Schools, STAR Catholic Schools, Wolf Creek Public Schools and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools took part in a conference last month that allowed them to learn, connect, and be inspired by Indigenous leaders in their community.

The Inspiring Success Youth Conference, sponsored by We Matters and Canadian Roots Exchange, took place on May 2 at Red Deer Polytechnic’s Arts Centre.

Grade 8 students from across the school divisions had the opportunity to meet new friends who they will attend high school with, reconnect with peers in their current school, and build a deeper sense of strength, belonging, identity, and pride in their Indigenous heritage.

“It is deeply impactful to bring young Indigenous students together to meet new friends, learn about their culture and be inspired by Indigenous mentors,” said Hayley Christen, Learning Services Coordinator with Red Deer Public Schools. “The event was held at Red Deer Polytechnic so students can get a feel for what post-secondary education could be like for them. I hope the day inspired the students to dream big, and get excited about their futures.”

Throughout the day, youth participated in different sessions covering a variety of topics, including tipi teachings, Metis finger weaving, Elder protocol and tobacco teachings, and Indigenous games. Participants also had the opportunity to hear the personal journeys of several Indigenous Red Deer Polytechnic students, listen to encouraging words from local elders, and take a tour of the Red Deer Polytechnic.

"It was a great event for youth and community members from RDCRS, RDPSD, STAR and Wolf Creek to come together and celebrate our students and Indigenous culture," said Jonathan Mauro, Coordinator of Indigenous Education Services Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. "Events like this conference allow us to embrace our responsibility to foster and develop the potential of our young people so that they can become empowered, resilient, and confident contributors to our society. We are good hands with the youth we had today, being leaders in the future.” 

“We were excited to welcome Indigenous students from four central Alberta school divisions to the Inspiring Success Youth Conference at Red Deer Polytechnic,” said Dr. Paulette Hanna, Interim Vice President, Academic at RDP. “Indigenous learners at the Polytechnic assumed leadership roles as tour guides and members of the student panel, which was facilitated by RDP alum Logan Beauchamp. We are extremely proud of their contributions – including those from RDP employees - to help create a meaningful experience for Grade 8 Indigenous students.”

“Indigenous Youth are our [Indigenous] future, they are changemakers, and they are healers. I am so proud to again be a part of the efforts to bring this conference to the Indigenous Youth of Red Deer and Central Alberta. With each iteration, I feel like we are getting more and more opportunities to engage with these youth. More opportunities to inspire them; to create their own definitions of success, then make it happen,” said Logan Beauchamp, Ambassador of Hope with We Matter. “This year, our event received funding from both We Matter and Canadian Roots Exchange. Both of which are amazing National Indigenous Youth Organizations that provide so many opportunities for Indigenous Youth to make their voices heard and make the changes they want to see in the world. I feel that by bringing in local Indigenous groups, leaders, and organizations, in combination with these two national orgs, we’ve introduced these youth to a vast array of possibilities and opportunities for them to take. Whether they are Urban, Rural, or living on the Res, Indigenous Youth need to know that we are here to help them succeed, and we’re doing what we can to ensure they have the opportunities to do so. I believe this conference achieves exactly that.”