The Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina is holding the second annual Aboriginal Youth Leadership Camp May 23-25. Schools across Saskatchewan select students who show leadership skills and have a desire to make a change within their communities. The ultimate goal of the camp is empowering youth to empower others.
Nicole Akan, who is one of the main organizers of the camp, describes it as a mix of leadership presentations and sports activities. The students stay on campus at the U of R and everything happens in the Kinesiology building where they have access to a gym, swimming pool and volleyball court. They also incorporate cultural activities and invite inspirational Aboriginal role models such as Wab Kinew, who spoke to youth last year.
Denise Watson attended the camp last year. She is a member of her schools’ Student Leadership Team (SLT) and does the yearbook. She also plays volleyball, soft ball and badminton.
Watson recalls her experience at the camp as “jam packed with information”. She says she wants to find other students from her school to attend the camp because it was such a great experience.
Since she attended the camp, Watson says she works harder with the SLT team to show students that there are so many things to do after high school. She also encourages younger children from her school to look for Aboriginal role models who inspire them.
