WHITECAP — Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations will be hosting the Rezilient 8th Generation Conference-Youth Legislative Assembly & Youth Empowerment Water Symposium from April 19 to 21 at the Dakota Dunes Resort at the Whitecap First Nation.
The three-day conference, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic and guided by female FSIN leaders, will gather more than 350 First Nation youth aged 15 to 24 years old from the province. The last assembly was held in 2018, a year before the outbreak.
The event is also co-hosted by the Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation and the Muscowpetung First Nation led by Chief Melissa Anaquod-Tavita, in co-operation with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council led by Chief Jeremy Fourhorns and the FSIN.
Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation Chief Roberta Soo-Oyewaste said they are excited about their partnership with the Muscowpetung First Nation and the FSIN in organizing the event that will bring forth their next generation of leaders.
“The Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation is ecstatic to see our vision for this gathering of the next generation of our peoples come to life. Our future leaders will be here, ready to take on tomorrow’s challenges. We're happy to bring together the youth after many weeks of coming into this global pandemic,” said Chief Soo-Oyewaste.
Well-known environmental activist Dr. David Suzuki will be the keynote speaker and he will be making his appearance via virtual conference on the second day. Other First Nations leaders, water advocates, elders and professors at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina are also among the expert panelists.
Chief Soo-Oyewaste, who is the first female chief of the Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation, added the conference will give the youth, who will soon take over leadership roles, the information that will help them make decisions in the future.
“This conference is to bring together the light to the past, present and future of water sustainability. The youth must be informed of how the decisions on water impact them directly. This conference will give them that information,” she said.
They will also have Indigenous role models that will discuss issues on addiction awareness and mental health wellness.
Muscowpetung First Nation Chief Anaquod-Tavita said First Nations youth must be united in bringing forth change.
“Our First Nations youth leaders will bring the change this world needs, but they can only do so together. The Muscowpetung First Nation is proud to help our First Nations youth leaders gather to share their ideas and their stories of resiliency,” said Anaquod-Tavita.
File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council Chief Fourhorns added they are excited to see what their youth leaders can come up with after the conference.
“The File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council is excited to be a part of this gathering that will see our capable youth members discuss their vision of the future. An event that's bringing together our youth right across the province to address issues and concerns that affect our world and our lives every day,” said Chief Fourhorns.
“We're excited to be bringing our youth together after two years of going through a pandemic and getting them together to share ideas, share their visions, share their aspirations and goals and all those things those dreams and come together and build to build on what our youth are future.”
He added that the current FSIN leadership is always ready to assist them in making the decisions for the future.
“We're just happy to bring them together and provide a place and a platform for them to do that sharing and for us to look forward to the outcomes because their strong future is only beneficial for us in the long run.”
FSIN Third Vice Chief Aly Bear said it is important to get the youth involved as they make decisions and find solutions for their own and future generations.
“The FSIN is excited to be back for the upcoming conference and to revitalize our First Nation youth. This inspiring group of young people will vote for two new youth leaders to become the FSIN Youth Representatives and AFN National Youth Council Representatives,” said Bear.
“FSIN is proud to bring over 350 of our First Nations youth leaders together in one place where they can work together to discuss barriers they have faced and to find solutions for the future. As a council, we see the importance of empowering these young people as they create a strong path for their generation as well as future generations.”
