Holiday gala raises cash for youth

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A festive, candle-lit dining hall set the stage for a night of laughter, dancing and sharing a vision.

People from across the province gathered at Edmonton's Mayfield Inn on Nov. 30 for A Christmas fundraising gala in support of the Alberta First Nations Youth Council (AFNYC).

National Chief Mathew Coon Come was present and gave an impassioned address that focused on instructing youth to speak the truth from the heart.

"As a young person, be careful who your heroes are," said the chief. "Take a cause that you believe in. Don't take something half-hearted just because someone else is doing it."

Bradley Young, president of the University of Alberta Aboriginal Student Council, seemed to take the chief's advice to heart as he received a standing ovation for a speech he made during the introduction of the youth council.

He served notice to the Canadian public that Native youth are becoming educated and are aiming to gain influence at the federal level.

"Once we get into the halls of power and attack incessantly, we will rearrange this country the way we see fit," said Young.

On a softer note, honorary co-chair of the youth council, Colleen Klein, the Alberta premier's wife, told the attentive crowd, "My vision for Aboriginal youth can be summed up in one word - strength."

In her keynote address, Klein defined the path to strength and power as knowledge and learning - learning guided by the voice of an individual's people, culture and language.

Her desire to see an end to Aboriginal teen suicide and senseless violence was well articulated, and her community involvement in helping curb the statistics added to her words.

"I would like to see the cycle of violence replaced with respect, caring and laughter," said Klein.

All three attributes seemed well represented at the gala, as the good-natured atmosphere was carefully fostered by comedic master of ceremonies, Derrick Starlight. His puppets and his way of involving the audience kept the entertainment quality high. Even the national chief got a chance to demonstrate his powwow dancing prowess.

Vice Chief Wilson Bearhead of the Assembly of First Nations Alberta Region and Treaty 6 Grand Chief Eric Gadwa were present and spoke of their satisfaction in seeing the involvement from the youth.

Money for the youth council was raised through profits from the $75 ticket price as well as through a raffle and a silent auction for some pieces of art.

Alberta's representatives to the National First Nations Youth Council, Gayle Aginas and William Long Time Squirrel, were introduced.

"If we create goals that have positive reactions, we become role models," said Long Time Squirrel, encouraging the youth present to never give up on their goals and to take the responsibility to learn.

"Remember the past as a fine example of how the First Nations can overcome every obstacle."