Aboriginal leadership program launched for youth in Thunder Bay

A program aimed at developing leadership skills within Aboriginal youth has officially launched in Thunder Bay.
Thunder Bay Urban Aboriginal Strategy (TBUAS) and Leadership Thunder Bay announced they have received $43,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to fund a leadership program for Aboriginal youth living within the city.
During the Feb. 23-24 weekend, Matthew Thompson of Pic River First Nation joined 14 other youth in a retreat in the outskirts of Thunder Bay as part of the program.
“We talked about personality types, public speaking, and we were introduced to Native language and traditional activities,” the 20-year-old said. “We also did bonding activities like ice fishing and cooking meals as a group.”
Thompson said he had been involved with Leadership Thunder Bay in the past, but jumped at the chance when he heard a program dedicated to Aboriginal youth was available.
“This program is a good way to embrace our heritage and traditional values and spirituality,” he said.
Thompson is taking political science at Lakehead University and wants a career in politics or business. He feels the program will help him develop skills to be successful in whatever dream he pursues.
“This helps me become a better public speaker. I like talking in front of crowds,” he said.
“I think it’s important to give role models to not only Aboriginal youth, but youth in general, in order to give a positive outlet. It’s important to be involved in your community.”
TBUAS planner Frances Wesley said the program has been in development for the past year after she and colleagues came up with the idea and approached Leadership Thunder Bay to help run the program. They met with community members, Elders and youth to ask what should be in the program.
“Everybody got excited about it and it has to be culturally appropriate, and we set up a framework for how we will deliver that program,” she said.
TBUAS and Leadership Thunder Bay hired two facilitators to run the program and draft the curriculum, which revolves around the seven grandfather teachings.
Wesley said the program will hold seven learning days, where speakers will be brought in to talk about First Nations political and urban issues, as well as teach them how to engage other youth be help and be involved in the community.
The overall goal of the program, Wesley said, is allow youth to be participants in their community, build their confidence, and become aware of the issues around them and how to resolve them.
“This initiative will open a lot of doors (for the youth),” she said.
Thompson said with the activism and protests occurring over the past few months, it is important for youth such as himself to gain those leadership skills.
“With the last few months of Idle No More in the media, it’s important to train the next generation of Aboriginal leaders to successfully lobby the Canadian government against those laws passing,” he said.
“I find that meeting people and encouraging towards their goals is a great way to kick-start change amongst other youth,” he added. “As Ghandi said, be the change you want to see in the world.”