Mistissini hosted a Youth Empowerment Conference July 9-11, showcasing a mix of inspiring speakers, workshops and activities. Reflecting on this year’s theme of self-excellence, presenters shared how they overcame obstacles to achieve their goals.
“It’s pushing youth to reach their potential, to break out of their shells and inspire them to look at new opportunities for themselves,” explained Mistissini Youth Chief Justice Debassige. “We try to invite as many people of different backgrounds as possible to share their stories. No matter what you do, there’s always room for improving yourself.”
While the event featured entrepreneurs, artists and other motivational speakers, there was a stacked lineup of elite hockey players – including NHL prospect Israel Mianscum, former Panthers and Canucks defenceman Brady Keeper from Cross Lake First Nation, and Brigette Lacquette, who played on the Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team and is now a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks.
As Mianscum was training in Montreal after recently signing with the Canadiens, he delivered his presentation online. “He insisted on being part of the conference,” said Debassige. “He appreciates the support and wanted to give back to the community in some way.”
On the first day, Jade Mukash shared her journey since becoming Miss Whapmagoostui and being selected from over 700 applicants to be one of 26 contestants in the upcoming Miss Indigenous Canada pageant.
“It has to come from within to push yourself to take your title to the next level,” said Mukash. “It definitely opened more doors, made me recognize my gifts and how I want to give back to my nation and community. By sharing my story of everything I did independently, I hope to see more of that from local princesses in the future.”
Mukash overcame self-doubt to engage in meaningful work. For her, that means supporting charity organizations and connecting with other First Nations. She is excited to return to the community to paint a mural for the Eeyou Istchee Summer Games.
“Going into pageants was a dream come true for me,” Mukash told the Nation. “I shared different ways to be involved and what it means to be a princess. It’s not all about beauty or the dresses I wear. It’s more about being an ambassador and an advocate.”
Award-winning Blackfoot filmmaker Cowboy Smithx delivered the event’s final speech. While Smithx is active in the Calgary arts scene, contributes to various festivals, film projects and theatre productions, he says his message applies equally to engineers, doctors and environmental scientists.
“I encourage everyone to explore their curiosities and know that things are always in flux,” said Smithx. “You may feel you want to be a lawyer today but 10 years from now you may want to be a culinary master. Keep an open mind and be present with the moment itself to renew that relationship with your body and mind over time.”
Smithx shared his methodology called “Avatriix” (ah-vay-tree), a word he coined that means “harmony across multiple dimensions, informed by the natural cycles we see in nature.” This philosophy guides his highly acclaimed REDx Talks, which have emerged as an influential space for shared experiences, wisdom and reconciliation.
“To reconnect frequencies of the land we’ve lost to colonization is a key component to navigating the entanglements of modern life,” Smithx asserted. “I talk about my process of creating something from scratch, leaning into thousands of years of connection to our ancestral plain as a foundation to build new ideas and tackle emerging problems.”
Suggesting young people should “embrace the authenticity of their lived experience,” Smithx said he felt right at home in Mistissini. He hoped to return to lead a more hands-on effort to encourage creative projects.
In addition to business workshops led by Gilles Matoush and Lacey Biedermann, Eeyou Istchee Lifestyle founder Raymond Jolly discussed launching his apparel brand that celebrates Indigenous pride. Stacy Anderson hosted a wellness workshop to help youth recognize signals that someone may require support.
“Mental wellness is something you can’t see like physical health,” said Anderson, a mental-wellness professional with regional public health. “When your friend is injured, you don’t poke at their injury. I don’t want youth to feel alone, and I want their peers to have the tools to support their friends.”
She focussed on signs that friends may be distancing themselves, suggesting they may just need a listening ear. With antisocial behaviour rising since the Covid pandemic, the community has established peer support groups and other services.
A mobile youth clinic to make CMC health services more accessible and less intimidating was launched at the event. Healthcare professionals will be available at the youth centre weekly with addictions specialists leading workshops and directing youth to appropriate resources.
As a youth development coordinator five years ago, Anderson worked with former youth chief Samantha Awashish to introduce the first youth empowerment conference. Debassige said they plan to return bigger and better in two years.
“The youth department did an amazing job in providing tools youth can use in their everyday lives,” said Anderson. “The vibe is very uplifting with everything going on. It’s so nice to see how much it’s grown from where we started.”