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Highlights of the PBCN & PAGC 4th Annual Role Model Conference and Career Fair 2006

By Gloria Merasty

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Prince Albert Grand Council’s 4th Annual Role Model Conference and Career Fair was held on November 6 & 7, 2006, at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre and Prince Albert Inn.

The conference committee include, from the left: Gloria Merasty, Brenda Roberts, Donna Merasty, Lily Langtrey, Geoff Despins, and Elder Allan Longjohn. RON MERASTY PHOTO
The conference commenced with an opening prayer by our PAGC Elder and Committee member Allan Longjohn, and continued with the grand entry to the singing and drumming of the Wahpeton Dakota Juniors. Leaders PAGC Grand Chief Ron Michel and PBCN Chief Harold Linklater welcomed the youth to the conference. This year’s keynote speaker was Gary Merasty, Liberal MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River who advised our youth to stay in school and to believe in themselves.

Maureen Belanger and Duane Favel performed a unique comedy routine representing “traditional” Métis culture and humor. This duo was hilarious, actually getting the MP down on his knees, and even doing a few jigging steps for the crowd. (I think they were jigging steps!)

For the first time, the conference had small break out groups where youth participated in such diverse workshop topics such as Career Planning, Gang Awareness, Bullying, Suicide, Hip Hop Dancing, Crafts and Teen Dating. We also hosted an Elders’ Forum, where the youth were welcome to visit with our local Elders.

The Career Day booth displays on Day Two included institutions such as First Nations University of Canada, SIAST, SIIT, Police Services, Health Services, Child and Family Agencies, etc. But if you can recall, Mother Nature was not on our side that day; she brought in a sopping snowstorm that made travel for some of our participants very difficult. But even the weather did not bring our numbers down, as between 400-500 youth, Elders and visitors attended our conference from James Smith, Hall Lake, Pelican Narrows, Southend, Deschambault Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Montreal Lake, and Shoal Lake.

The conference also had two outstanding performances: one by Dakota Caisse and his partner Samantha, singing country tunes for the crowd, including the very popular Johnny Cash and June Carter duet “Jackson”; and by the Saskatoon-based Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, who performed “Crystal Clear,” a powerful story of youth trapped in the devastating world of Crystal Meth. Overall, this year’s conference was a huge success and we received much positive comments and feedback from many participants.

And, of course, with the continuing support and trust we receive from our major sponsors we continue to introduce our youth to positive role models and support systems to help them achieve their goals.

So on behalf of the PBCN & PAGC Role Model Conference Committee I would like to extend my sincerest thank you to the following sponsors who made this years conference a huge success:

Grand Chief Ron Michel – Prince Albert Grand Council
Councilor Peter A. Beatty – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Economic Development
Northern Lights Community Development Corporation
Northern Lights Casino
SaskTel
SaskPower
First Nations Insurance Services
Campbell Printing
B & P Water
George Michel – Walking Smoke Confectionary
PAGC Urban Services
PAGC Engineering
PAGC Recreation & Culture
PAGC Tribune
Steve Ballantyne – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Social Development
Committee Members:
Allan Longjohn
Donna Merasty
Geoff Despins
Brenda Roberts

Maureen Belanger and Duane Favel perform a comedy routine as mid-20th century rural Métis, and use a liberal amount of cree. RON MERASTY PHOTO
Gloria Merasty is the Student Counselor for the PBCN Post Secondary Student Support Program and the coordinator for the PBCN & PAGC Role Model Conference & Career Fair.

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