THUNDER BAY -Leaders of Tomorrow Today Youth Conference. The Leaders of Tomorrow Today met at the Airlane Hotel and Conference Centre today to discuss issues of racism, homophobia, anti-racism, and suicide prevention. The RMYC hosted the seminar today with youth from high schools across Thunder Bay.
Leaders of Tomorrow Today
The goal of the day’s effort, attended by just under fifty youth leaders from across Thunder Bay was to come up with ideas, and solutions that will make our community a better place.
The youth came up with a list of solutions and ideas, which were presented at the end of the day and will be brought forward for action and implementation as a follow up conference.
Luncheon speaker, Colleen Peters from Youth Centres Thunder Bay and the John Howard Society spoke too the youth about six ingredients of social change.
Those points are an idea, leadership, doers, partnerships, political will, and resources. The energy, enthusiasm and dedication of the youth delegates at today’s conference demonstrate that Thunder Bay’s future is in good hands.
Teamwork makes the Dream Work
Leaders of Tomorrow Today – Colleen Peters Youth Centres Thunder Bay by netnewsledger
Peters shared a video from Shannen’s Dream.
Part Two of Luncheon Address
Leaders of Tomorrow Today – Thunder Bay Ontario Youth Conference by netnewsledger
RMYC President Meghan Payment stated, “I am greatly pleased and excited about how our conference went”.
“Not only did the youth participate but they brought great ideas forward. I couldn’t imagine a better day, our for youth by youth conference ran smoothly, the Airlane Hotel staff were great, the materials Egale sent us helped facilitate our homophobia workshop, and our Keynote speaker Colleen Peters really inspired the youth”.
“I believe that is day was very successful and I can’t wait to work on RMYC’s next endeavour,”
The goal of the conference was to bring youth from across Thunder Bay together, discuss issues and then take solutions back to their schools.
Shannen’s Dream
Shannen’s Dream
Shannen Koostachin, youth education advocate from the Attawapiskat First Nation in Ontario, had a dream: safe and comfy schools and culturally based education for First Nations children and youth. First Nations schools receive less funding per student than Provincial and Territorial schools, and zero dollars for things like libraries, computers, languages or extracurricular activities. Many schools are plagued by serious health concerns such as extreme black mould contamination, high carbon dioxide levels, rodent and reptile infestations, sewage fumes in schools and unheated portables.
Shannen worked tirelessly to try to convince the Federal government to give First Nations children a proper education before tragically passing away at the age of 15 years old in 2010. Named in her memory, the campaign engages Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples to better understand the education inequities and to take action to ensure all First Nations children and young people attend good schools and receive a proper education that prepares them to achieve their dreams and be proud of their distinct cultures and languages.
