Close to 30 students of First Nations, Metis and Inuit heritage in grades 5 to 12 in Innisfail are set to participate in the first-ever Indigenous Youth Conference hosted by the Chinook's Edge School Division.
“It's an opportunity for our indigenous students, whether they are First Nations, Metis or Inuit, to embrace who they are and learn about some of the aspects of their culture that they may or may not know about,” said Carolynne Muncer, vice-principal at Innisfail Middle School. “Some of our indigenous students may not be directly connected to their own ancestry, but this is a start. It's an event to come together.”
Upwards of 250 students of First Nations, Metis and Inuit heritage from across the school division will gather at the Olds College Student Alumni Centre on Oct. 5 for the one-day conference, where they will learn, network and celebrate their culture.
Students will participate in various workshops and listen to guest presenters, entertainers and keynote speakers including Justice Murray Sinclair (chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and George Leach, a Juno Award winning musician.
The conference is being organized by a steering committee that was formed two years ago to bring indigenous education and teaching into Chinook's Edge classrooms through a number of projects.
Muncer is one of eight members on that steering committee.
“I think our students are really excited about the opportunity to go and take part in this conference, learn a little bit more about themselves and maybe some historical pieces of their ancestry,” added Muncer.
One of the students participating is 12-year-old Matthew Julian, a Grade 8 student at Innisfail Middle School.
“I'm really excited to go and learn about other cultures and my culture,” said Julian, noting he thinks it's important for youth to participate in conferences like this.
“I am proud to be First Nations,” said Julian. “I encourage other (students) to go to these kind of events.”
