Little Wolf program helps youth realize their potential

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When Allan Syrette moved his family back to his home community of Batchewana First Nation after a lengthy absence, he wanted to do something to help his then 15-year-old son Tyler keep busy and out of trouble. Tyler told his father that he liked basketball, and thought it would be great if there were somewhere he could play. Syrette made arrangements to use the gym at the Batchewana Learning Centre, an old school the band had purchased in nearby Sault Ste. Marie, and the Little Wolf program (named after Tyler, whose Anishinabe name is Little Wolf) was born.

That was back in February. Since then the program has proven so popular that Syrette is offering it three times a week, with about 30 kids coming out to each session.

The program is for youth 12 to 18 and is open to anyone who wants to take part.

"It doesn't really just focus on Indian kids. It just focuses on youth," Syrette said.

He started the program as a way to give kids something to do, but Syrette is also hoping Little Wolf will also help them to build their self-esteem and develop their leadership skills.

Through Little Wolf, Syrette explained, participants get a chance to socialize, to exercise, to improve their skills on the court, and to have someone to talk to.

Many of the kids taking part in the Little Wolf program are considered high risk, Syrette said.

"And basically most of them, 99 per cent, I'll say, come from a single parent environment, low income family."

Some of them didn't know how to play basketball when they arrived at the program and have come a long way when it comes to their performance on the court. But those aren't the only changes Syrette has seen since launching Little Wolf. Many of the participants are also beginning to recognize the advantages of adopting a healthier lifestyle.

"The kids have finally realized that smoking and drinking isn't a part of all of this. That a healthier lifestyle can go a long way. They can stay on the court better. So that has impacted them to that degree," he said.

" I don't push it on them or say that they have to do this or do that. They're actually coming up to me and saying, 'I've decided to quit smoking.' 'I've decided to quit drinking as heavily as I'm doing it.'"

The program has also helped to rebuild a feeling of community that had been lost, Syrette said.

"We have a better understanding of who we are now. We just don't pass each other on the street or look the other way. Even when we're in town, we'll say hello to each other and communicate more ... whereas before we just used to pass each other ... it was a really strange atmosphere that we were allowing ourselves to grow in. Taking this program has allowed us to look at different avenues and it's not quite that bleak anymore. There's light at the end of the tunnel. We start to communicate more and say hi and not be afraid to smile."

The Little Wolf program is something Syrette has developed on his own, without the backing or support of any level of government. As such, the program basically has no budget. The Dreamcatcher Fund, a philanthropic organization launched last August by Aboriginal-owned manufacturer Grand River Enterprises, has provided some money, which has allowed the program to rent space at the George Leach Centre at Algoma University College for one night a week. And a woman in Toronto who heard about Little Wolf donated 13 basketballs to the program. Syrette is grateful for the assistance, and has worked to instill that gratitude in all the kids in the program as well.

"Whatever we get, I teach them through the talking circle, or share with them, to appreciate what we receive and to give thanks. Sometimes the standard is just to take it for granted, that these things are here for us. However, we should ... be more grateful for what we have because a lot of times we just don't look at it that way and we think these things will always be here."

Some people who work with high risk outh look at the Little Wolf program and wonder why their programs are meeting with the same type of success, Syrette said. Part of it is that his experiences make it easier for him to connect with those in the program.

"I've been a band councillor. I've been in trouble. I come from a singe parent environment. I've been in residential school. All those things play a part in how I connect with them. I'm not just learning it from a book."

Syrette draws upon his spiritual knowledge to reach out to the kids as well.

"I've been a singer at a sweatlodge for the last five years with another reserve outside of my own, and a lot of those teachings and the teachings I received prior to that from spiritual people or whoever has crossed my path, has all contributed to what I do today," he said. "Speaking straight from the heart and being honest and applying those seven sacred teachings can go a long way."

Syrette would like to see other First Nation communities follow his lead and start up basketball programs of their own.

One of the attractive features of the game is that, unlike sports like hockey, players don't need anything to play except a ball and a court.

"All this came about right around the Little NHL tournament. And what we're looking at is having somewhat like a Little NBA and introducing this to other First Nation communities," he said of his future plans for the program.

The city of Sault Ste. Marie hosted the Little NHL tournament this spring, an event held annually and open to Native minor hockey players from across the Ontario region, and the city is bidding to host the Little NHL again in 2007. If the bid is successful, Syrette would like to hold a Little NBA event at the same time.

What Syrette would like to do between now and 2007 is travel to other First Nation communities, tell them about the Little Wolf program and help them set up similar programs for their youth.

"We would love to go to other First Nation communities and just ceate a relationship where we play and have fun, not so much to compete and see who is better than the other. And see if we can strengthen our relations that way, and build our nationhood through a sports effort."

Syrette said he has committed to spending one year co-ordinating the Little Wolf project, but he hopes the project will continue long after his involvement ends. He's already told some of the older participants that, once they turn 18, they would be able to continue their involvement with the program by taking his place.

"And they looked at me like, 'Can that happen?' And I said, 'Only you will know if it can.

Hopefully through participating in this project you will gain enough confidence to be able to fit that role just naturally.' And it's starting to work in that direction."

For more information about the Little Wolf program, call Allan Syrette at (705) 945-1253.