THUNDER BAY -- Daniel Sakchekapo wants Aboriginal youth to know that anybody can change.
The Thunder Bay man spoke Thursday to a group of about 200 youth from the city and the region about his story of growing up with violence in his life. He told students how he was recruited by “not-so-friendly” people, how they exploited him and how he got out of that life.
“A lot of the people I used to run with were not very nice people, but now they’re fathers, they’re uncles, they’re hardworking people that stay sober,” he said.
Sakchekapo was one of several speakers at a two-day conference called Pot, Pills and Parties: Rights, Health and Wellness at the Fort William First Nation Community Centre that focused on giving youth the resources needed to deal with addictions.
One thing that Sakchekapo believes will help the youth is to understand the historical impacts of what the Anishnawbe people have been through. It will enable them to see the pain in their own families.
“Being able to understand that’s why my uncle lives like that or that’s why my auntie acts like this or that’s why my parents are like this – because of what’s happened in the past,” he said.
“When they start to understand a little bit more about some of the history of what happened to Anishnawbe people, it’s a lot easier to cope with (their own pain).”
Understanding history will help the youth look at things in another way instead of being a victim, Sakchekapo added.
Healing Strategy member and Fort William First Nation Coun. Georjann Morriseau said a conference like this is important in tapping into the younger generation.
“There seems to be a void or a gap in the middle generation and our younger teens especially.
"With the high rate of substance abuse and addictions, I think it’s important people like ourselves and the older generation come together and provide them with holistic ways of healing and giving them those resources and tools so they know they’re not alone."
“And that when we are feeling down or we have lost our way, there are means available and resources to be able to get up and get back on your feet,” Morriseau added.
The message is also about encouraging youth to keep moving forward.
“If there is something the kids can take home, we want to feel comfortable knowing they will take knowledge home with them, but they will also be taking the people home with them,” Morriseau said.
“They can take what they say and bring it back home to their own lives.”
Pot, Pills and Parties was held by the Fort William First Nation Healing Strategy and the local chapter of the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
