AFN Youth Summit focuses on wellness, mental heath

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the AFN National Youth Council (NYC) hosted the 2016 National Youth Summit on July 10 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Summit brought together over 150 First Nations youth from across Canada for dialogue focused on key priorities and issues around mental wellness, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and the broader social determinants of health. The young leaders in attendance learned to shape solutions at the challenges faced by First Nation communities and the broader Canadian community.

The main focus of the all-day event was on mental health and wellness facing First Nations youth across Canada. The day began with an opening ceremony and remarks AFN Regional Chief Morley Googoo followed by a speech by keynote speaker Chief Cadmus Delorme.

There were break out workshops held all day covering a variety of topics from youth leadership and empowerment; affirming First Nations identity; outdoor leadership skills building; reducing substance and alcohol abuse; building positive coping skills; knowledge of human rights; how to become suicide alert helpers; cultural skills building; using art to increase awareness; among others.

The Mushkegowuk Council’s Youth Walk of Hope walkers, many of whom are Attawapiskat First Nation citizens also arrived in time for the Youth Summit. The Youth Walk of Hope was held to highlight the Mushkegowuk Council’s Peoples’ Inquiry into suicide and to support the upcoming national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls.

The Walkers travelled approximately 950 kilometres to raise awareness of the need for healing and reconciliation as outlined in the Calls to Action in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation and the recommendations from the inquest into the death of seven NAN youth in Thunder Bay.

The walk began on June 7 in Cochrane, Ontario as youth from several NAN First Nations united for a 35-day trek to Niagara Falls. They joined Chiefs from across Canada and delivered messages of hope for healthy communities and healthier lives.

The day closed with remarks from both Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett and AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. The Youth Summit was part of the 37th annual AFN General Assembly, which ran from July 12-14.