Gathering engages Wabun youth

The fifth annual Wabun Youth Gathering July 18-29 had 85 youth from Wabun Tribal Council communities attend.
The gathering, held in Elk Lake, southeast of Timmins and near Matachewan First Nation, was sponsored by Wabun Tribal Council Health Services. It featured presentations by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose.
“I am here today to show my support for the Wabun youth and to encourage them in their participation of workshops where they are learning traditional and cultural teachings of our people,” Beardy said. “I have also brought along some of our college and university summer students that are working for NAN so that they can step forward as role models for our young people.”
He was also accompanied by Ben Cheechoo, NAN governance secretariat director and former grand chief of NAN, Dr. Emily Faries, education jurisdiction negotiator for NAN, and five post secondary students from the NAN area.
Wabun Tribal Council consists of six First Nations: Beaverhouse, Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Flying Post, Matachewan and Mattagami.
Waboose told the youth to make education a priority.
“My message to you today is to keep working hard and striving and to remind you that our strength as a people comes from our language, culture and traditions. You are our future and with so many opportunities available today, you have to make sure you have an education,” Waboose said.
Faries and Cheechoo did a presentation on NAN First Nation governance, an initiative to achieve self-governance agreements in areas affecting the lives of people in NAN.
“It is important for us to communicate to our youth what is involved in this process and to receive input from these young people,” Faries said.
The event was divided into two parts. The first week, from July 18 to 22, was held for junior youth aged eight to 12 and the second week, from July 25 to 29, was for senior youth aged 13 to 18.
In the first week facilitator Barney McLeod, a popular international Aboriginal soap stone sculptor and Matachewan member, helped youth produce their own soap stone carvings.
The second week featured Byron Edgar, an Aboriginal facilitator from Manitoulin Island involved in youth leadership training and prevention of suicide, gangs, violence, bullying and substance abuse. Another facilitator, Percy Trapper, an Aboriginal musician, originally from Moosonee, on the James Bay coast, conducted a presentation on life skills using his own success story.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn about our traditional teachings and culture. I want to thank our Wabun Chiefs for giving us the opportunity to have this gathering every year,” said youth participant Lynne Cormier from Matachewan.
Elder Vina Hendrix of Matachewan led the group in opening and closing prayers and she was instrumental in assisting everyone with traditional and cultural knowledge.
Chief Marcia Martel-Brown of Beaverhouse First Nation took part as a chaperone for youth and performed a traditional drum ceremony assisted by Michael Lafrenier, a youth also from Beaverhouse.
“I want to thank Mike Archer who does such a good job of coordinating this youth gathering every year and I give thanks to Jean Lemieux, Wabun health director, for her support in making this event possible,” Martel-Brown said.
Chief Alex (Sonny) Batisse of Matachewan also visited to show his support.
The Wabun Youth Gathering came out of the vision and guidance of late Elder Thomas Saunders from Brunswick House. He wanted to see the Wabun communities coming together in one gathering.