Keeshkeemaquah was the site for yesterday's Elders and Youth event with students from all schools in the area, including Long Plain First Nation. Indigenous Community Relations Coordinator for Portage la Prairie, and Portage Community Revitalization Corporation Cornell Pashe gives an outline.

"We along with the School Division and Portage Community Revitalization Corporation, and the City, organized a Youth and Elder Conference with the theme of Leadership, Education, Reconciliation, and the history that goes with that," says Pashe. "We had organized an event that had Dakota teachings and Dakota history, but also different tours of the Rufus Prince Building as part of the residential school system. We have a drum group here talking about the drums and the story behind the drum."

He notes there was also an employment and training table, as well as trapping and hunting displays. Pashe adds all day long there were various presentations, including Tim Daniels, of Arrowhead Corporation, presenting on business and leadership. MLA Bernadette Smith spoke to the students about her personal experience, education and staying in school. Basically, he adds, it's allowing students to be proud of their heritage.

"That's what we wanted to expose the kids to -- the teachings," continues Pashe. "We have a good mixture of elders here that are sharing their experiences, but also sharing being part of the sessions. It's a really good mix."