Aboriginal Education Day for Sudbury's Youth
Students Learn About Aboriginal Culture and Arts
Apr 8, 2009
The Education Day event brought students from the Rainbow District School Board and the Catholic School Board (in grades 9 to 12) together to listen to presentations by keynote speakers, Waneek Horn Miller and Doug Bedard (AKA Plex), and to learn about Aboriginal culture and art.
Co-Chair of the festival for Laurentian University is very happy about the implementation of this new component geared specifically toward the youth. "We just really wanted to get them involved," she said in a one-on-one interview which took place on March 30.
Waneek Horn Miller, Olympic Athlete
Waneek Horn Miller spoke to the group of youth about her dream of becoming an Olympic athlete and some of the experiences she faced while trying to get there. The most significant obstacle she faced was at the age of 14, during the Oka Crisis, when she was stabbed by a soldier's bayonet. It was surviving this experience that made her realize the value of having dreams and the importance of striving to achieve them "I remember walking out of the doctor's office and thinking, 'I just cheated death. I have got the Olympics to qualify for.'" She adds, "Dreams are what makes life awesome."
She has gone on to win Gold for the Canadian Women's Water Polo Team. "It was the only place I could just let go of all my problems," she said of the time she has spent training and competing. Of her accomplishments at the Olympics, she simply says, "I didn't have to dream anymore, because I did it."
Doug Bedard (AKA Plex), Musician
Doug Bedard is an Aboriginal rapper and entrepreneur. He performed three songs for the students, which had the crowd cheering and clapping along with the beat. Plex is set to release a solo album later this month. The lyrics in his songs express what is on his mind, he told the crowd. In a song called Grateful, he thanks everybody from his family to his fans for the support they have given him. Plex is very committed to inspiring youth and runs projects involving both young artists and professionals.
Youth Organizations Help Students Make Positive Choices
Information booths were set up in the foyer to allow the students to gain knowledge about Aboriginal arts and medicines. Representatives from organizations such as the YMCA and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (which helps students find Co-Op placements in the Trades. This may give them the opportunity to gain full-time employment) were also on hand to help students find the right employment opportunities for them after they graduate.
Representatives from Post-Secondary institutions such as Cambrian College and Laurentian University were also in attendance to help students make decisions about taking their education to the next level.
