Charlotte called this morning - it looks like they’ll be in Thunder Bay by tomorrow night and while she saws The 2005 Youth Suicide Prevention Walk is a very worthwhile project and has been a very positive learning experience she is looking forward to “being home” again.

In the extended text section is an article from the Kenora Daily Miner & News that mentioned them.

Hidden treasures recognized at Treaty 3 awards
Jiggers, chess champions and theatre groups all gathered in Kenora Wednesday night, as Treaty 3 honoured role models within their communities.

By Mike Aiken
Miner and News
Thursday May 26, 2005

Jiggers, chess champions and theatre groups all gathered in Kenora Wednesday night, as Treaty 3 honoured role models within their communities.

Lance Geyshick spoke on behalf of the Namakan River Jiggers of Lac La Croix, who brought smiles to faces around the room with their lively costumes.

“I’m happy,” said Geyshick with a grin, after receiving the award on behalf of the troop.
Chess club members from Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) First Nation also turned heads, after sending members to national championships from one of the more challenging community settings in the district.

Also from the same First Nation was the Wabaseemoong school literacy group, who supported their students through read-a-thons, family literacy days and monthly newsletters. Principal Wayne Kushnier earned an honorable mention, when he fulfilled his promise to dress up in drag and sing “I’m a Little Teapot,” after his students read a total of 2,050 books in a month.

Members of the Silver Shadow Youth Band and Musical Development of Youth, as well as Girls’ Thunderbird Hockey Team and Falcons Men’s Hockey Team also earned awards.

Wabigoon Lake was represented by their First Response Team, as well as their Powwow Committee, while the junior chief and council from David Kejick School at Shoal Lake #39 thanked their elders and community members for support during their first year of activity.
Other organizations recognized during the evening included the Brown Eagle drummers, Seven Generations Fall Harvest Workshops, Ottertail Ojibwe Immersion Camp, Four Directions Aboriginal Toastmasters Club, the North American First Nations Tournament of Champions, the Kenora Area Health Access Centre, as well as the Youth Drop-In Nation Singers.

Keynote speaker Dave Courchene, Jr., spoke with passion about the need for youth to be in touch with their traditional ways and values, in order to avoid the despondency of depression and suicide.

“We want the opportunity to have access to the land and resources, which are sources of life,” he said.

His message was particularly appropriate for a B.C. group in the audience, who stopped overnight in Kenora during their cross-country trek to raise awareness of youth suicide in aboriginal communities.

Leader Vincent Watts noted the suicide rates among young men on area reserves are six times the national average. Last November, Treaty 3 declared a state of emergency, in an effort to curb the problem.

Audience members at the Kenora Curling Club were also privileged to see a 45-minute dramatic presentation by the Youth Drop-In theatre group, which started in November.

But perhaps the biggest ovation was reserved for members of Kenora’s Street Brigade, who offer their services for the betterment of the community.

“They can walk down the street and people can say to them ‘We’re proud of you!,’ “ said organizer Buck Matiowski.

Many of the brigade members come from disadvantaged backgrounds, but work together in an effort to become a valued member of society.

Arguably none were more proud than Charlie Higger, who has become brigade leader, due to his years of dedicated service.