The 2018 Growing Leaders Youth and Family Conference is being hosted by the PAGC and PBCN today and tomorrow at the Prince Albert Inn.

The conference is an annual event that focuses on empowering youth in Indigenous communities.

Keynote speaker, Tom Thelen, kicked off the day with a speech on bullying and harassment prevention. Thelen is a professional speaker from Michigan.

“It can be very difficult if you live in a really remote area to have all of the same social services if you attended a larger school,” said Thelen. “But I mean, it doesn’t take a licensed counselor to connect with a kid, it just takes a loving adult.”

Thelen explained strategies for dealing with bullying and the importance of letting go of emotional weight in his speech this morning.

Children and teenagers, along with elders from northern communities, are gathering in Prince Albert for the conference.

Speeches and breakout sessions will continue throughout the day and tomorrow.

(PHOTO: Keynote speaker, Tom Thelen, addresses the conference. Photo courtesy of Travis Radke.)