Students attending the Indigenous Youth Conference in Olds on Oct. 5 said they were inspired and motivated by the messages of keynote speaker George Leach, a renowned First Nations singer, songwriter and musician.
Two hundred and twenty-five grade 5 – 12 Chinook's Edge School Division students attended the conference at the Olds College Alumni Centre and at various facilities at the college. More than 100 teachers, staff and others also attended.
The daylong conference included workshops on such things as traditional culture, education and community.
Keynote speaker Leach, a Juno Award winning performer from B.C.'s west coast, told students about his music history and how he made his way in the industry.
He called on students to follow their own paths when it comes to choosing and pursuing careers.
“My attitude is learn and develop my own style,” said Leach. “Don't get lost in what other people are doing. I focus on what I have to say.
“In my viewpoint, nobody can be you better than you,” said Leach. “So for me the best investment is for you to focus on what you love to do. Chose something you love to do and you'll never work a day in your life.
“It's up to you to do the learning. It's up to you to ask your own questions. Having a really good positive attitude when going into things is really, really important.
“It doesn't matter what industry you are in, it's all a people business, whether you are a musician or politician or firefighter or a carpenter, you are still dealing with people. You are a person first.”
He called on students to “focus on who you are and work on your weaknesses and work on that as much as you can.”
“It helps me move fast the more honest I am with myself. If I start putting on airs, then it doesn't really do anything for me.”
Leach also performed two original songs.
Didsbury student Kai Biggin said he found Leach's comments inspiring.
“I think it was interesting that he said we should do our own thing,” said Biggin, a Grade 6 student at Westglen School. “I think that was good advice when he told us that we should go on our own career paths even if our friends go on different paths.”
Leach's musical performance on guitar and vocals was “very good,” he said.
Biggin, who also plays guitar, said he is inspired to keep playing.
Carter Halfyard is also a Grade 6 student at Westglen. Asked what he took out of Leach's address, he said, “don't follow what other people tell you to do if you have your own choice.
“People should follow their own path. If you are going to do something, do it fully the first time instead of having to go back and do it again.”
Halfyard is of Ojibwa heritage and Biggin is Métis.
Lecturers at the Indigenous Youth Conference included Pam Piche Lashmore, Shalome Hope, Thomas Snow, Kalyn Kodiak, Veronica Graff, Jeff Clattenburg, Camina Weasel Moccasin, Chantal Chagnon, Amanda Lamothe, and Elders John Sinclair and Randy Bottle.
"It's up to you to do the learning. It's up to you to ask your own questions. Having a really good positive attitude when going into things is really, really important."George Leachkeynote speaker
