Press Release
For Immediate Release
May 2, 2006
Antigonish, N.S. - The first "Traditional Leadership for Future Generations Conference" will be held at St. FX University on May 19, 20, and 21, 2006. Over 100 Aboriginal Youth from across the Atlantic region will gather to discuss issues of concern with one another, with members of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council and other leaders across the Maliseet and Mi'kmaq Nation.
During the conference the participants will come together in workshops to listen to elders from the community, to learn from leaders, grand council members and each other. Film screenings, discussion circles, a banquet and a meeting of the Atlantic region's youth representatives will take place over this time. Participants have been chosen by their Band Councils to represent the voice of youth from their region.
In keeping with our traditions, Kerry Prosper and the Afton Drummers will welcome us to their traditional territory during our opening ceremony on Friday May 19 at 3 pm.. PEI Grand Council member, John Joe Sark will present his film, Spirit World the first evening followed by a discussion with John Joe and Maliseet Elder Ray Tremblay. A sunrise ceremony on Saturday morning will help us to focus on our traditional ways. We look forward to learning from role models like Chad Denny or elders like Chief Misel Joe, Murdena Marshall, Lillian Marshall Kerry will share some traditional knowledge on American Eels. Miiga'magan, Murdena Marshall, Lillian Marshall and Donna Augustine help us to learn about traditional roles of women in our society.
The Assembly of First Nations Youth representatives and ECRY (Eskasoni Culture and Recreation for Youth) organization have organized this first conference in the hopes that it will be the first of many more to come. Jaime Battiste and Leroy Denny, conference directors initiated this conference after discussions with members of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council. It was decided that a conference to bring together leaders and youth to learn about traditional leadership and concerns for them as they become future leaders among the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations.
"There will be great opportunities throughout the three day event to learn from elders, keepers of traditional knowledge and members of the Grand Council. In return for the sharing of their knowledge, they too will learn and gain understanding from the 100 youth delegates expected to attend. The Grand Chief and members of the Grand Council will participate in discussion circles with youth between 18 -25 from across the region who are our future leaders."
- Jaime Battiste
Booth space and tickets to the banquet or to attend conference are available.
Information Contact: www.traditionalleadership.ca or call 902-379-2269 or 902-223-3143
Email: traditionalleadership@hotmail.ca or mikmaq@ns.sympatico.ca
