Yesterday, Indigenous youth in the community were treated to a day of learning and inspiration at the Keeshkeemaquah Conference and Gaming Centre. As part of a conference entitled "Finding Your Path", youth learned the world is full of opportunities, as long as you work for them.

Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services (DOCFS) hosted the event. DOCFS Cultural Implementation Analyst Barry French explains the aim of the day.

"What we want to do is to show youth in care and in communities, that their possibilites are pretty much endless," says French. "But it's going to take work to get to it. Nobody's going to give it to you for nothing, you have to actually do the work, you have to have a vision, a plan, and then it can work out a lot better."

Youth had the opportunity to engage in activities and learn information about opportunities and culture. French says the day included a vast array of activities and learning opportunities, such as motivational speakers including Michael Linklater, a basketball player ranked 7th in the world on Team Canada, who discussed his struggles being only 5 foot 10 inches tall and having knock knees. He received an Inspire Award last week. Jason Gobeil, Aboriginal community co-ordinator with the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples' Council spoke as well about his struggle speaking as a teen due to papilloma, which he eventually grew out of, and went on to compete in Toastmasters competitions. Youth also heard from spiritual elders including two Dakota elders and Charlie Nelson, a lodgekeeper and Chief of Western Doorway for the 3 Fires Mediwiwin Society.

French notes there were also educational and employment booths, as well as Jiu-Jitsu demonstrations by champions across North America, who French says inspired the youth to think 'Hey if they can do it, why can't we?'

He says the event created an opportunity to understand who they are and where they come from.

"If you don't have that figured out, your ability to move ahead is always a lot harder," French says. "It can be done, but we want to make this as easy as possible for the youth. So trying to bolt all these things together so when they come in, they learn, and we try to make it fun."

The event was from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. yesterday, and included a magician to entertain the kids and had door prizes available.