photo courtesy Meadow Lake Tribal Council website.
They call themselves the MLTC Squad and their mission is to help First Nations youth deal with some difficult social issues and to learn more about their culture and have some fun along the way.
This summer, the squad, sponsored by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council embarked on a series of workshops covering topics such as addiction, substance abuse and suicide prevention. There was also time set aside for arts and crafts, life stories and interactive workshops.
Program coordinator Nathan Tootoosis says the program was designed by youth for youth and it is helping both participants and those putting on the workshops.
“They are getting to help youth in other communities by telling them their stories and at the same time it is helping them to come out of their shells,” he said.
Tootoosis says there have been some frustrations along the way. He says the plan was to hold workshops in nine First Nation communities, but as of yesterday, only three had been held. He blames it on a lack of communication and awareness about the project.
“Honestly, the program would go a lot more smoothly if we could just talk to the people at the band offices,” he said. “The sad reality is, you always get the run around when you call different places.”
Workshops were cancelled yesterday because several of the participants needed time off to attend the funeral of a former student who committed suicide.
Tootoosis says the workshops will continue this month with visits to Flying Dust, Canoe Lake and Makwa First Nations. He says there will also be a break in the schedule so members of the squad can visit post-secondary institutions in Regina and Saskatoon.