Feathers of Hope conference gives First Nations youth a say in their future

There are more First Nations children in care today than there were during the height of the residential school days.

That’s a staggering fact said Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy, speaking Wednesday at the youth-driven Feathers of Hope Conference, the third forum in five-year process aimed at giving Aboriginal youth a voice.

“We have a lot of work in front of us,” Beardy told the delegates.

“We have a challenge and we have to work together toward the full, meaningful protection of our children.”

About 100 youth from 50 remote, fly-in communities gathered from across Ontario at the forum, where the theme centred on child welfare.
Despite representing less than three per cent of Canada’s youth population, Aboriginal youth make up about 15 per cent of the total children in care.

Combined with high unemployment and a lack of educational opportunities high suicide rates and addiction issues, it’s easy to understand why so many First Nations feel their future is bleak at best.

But there is room for optimism, Beardy said.

“Here we have a group of young people from across Ontario. They’re coming together to say we want to take greater responsibility and use our vision,” he said.

“And I think it’s important that our leadership is here to listen first and hear what they have to say.”

Empowering youth goes a long way, he added.

Irwin Elman, Ontario’s advocate for children and youth services, said it’s important to allow younger First Nations people to see they have a voice and it will be heard.

Elman told the gathering that time again it takes courage to have hope.

That’s what the process is about, he said.

“Courage is about speaking up,” Elman said, “believing that somebody is going to listen to you and even the belief that something will be done.”

By speaking up, it’s chance to help erase the pain of the past and ensure the First Nations view of the future becomes a reality.

It won’t be easy, Elman said.

“That’s hard, and you’re going to go to places I don’t think you want to be in your head. But why are you doing this? Because you want to make a difference to those who come after.”

Karla Kakegamic, a youth amplifier at the conference, called Feathers of Hope a good initiative, one that can exact positive change.

The 25-year-old Keewaywin First Nation resident said it encourages people her age to get involved and help chart the future path of indigenous youth in Canada.

“That’s what all the youth is here to do. They want to talk and share their recommendations and stories and their experience so we can hope for the future,” she said.

Attendees will present their stories on Friday and make their recommendations to a listening table. A final report will be released in the near future detailing the findings.

Feathers of Hope was first launched in 2013.