Indigenous youth from across the province gathered together for the 2024 Youth Teepee Summit at the Northeast River Valley Event Centre in Edmonton July 29-31. The third annual event saw many inspirational speakers take the stage including Elders, Olympians, storytellers, entrepreneurs and entertainers.
Youth participated in hands-on cultural activities as well as hockey, curling, soccer, volleyball, and visited the many info tables on-site. Well over a hundred attendees and 36 vendors participated in the Youth Teepee Summit over the course of the three-day event.
Watch our 2024 Youth Teepee Summit video here!
Day One: Sports & Recreation
Starting day one with a Grand Entry, an opening prayer from Leanne Sleigh, the Canadian national anthem sung in Cree by Kiya Bruno, and opening remarks from dignitaries, the agenda then moved into exploring the themes of sports & recreation with a presentation from Russ Sheppard on the Power of Sport.
Russ is an international advocate for the importance of sports in the development of youth. He taught at Kugluktuk High School in Nunuvut from 1998 to 2005 and started a school enrichment program known as Team Grizzly. While teaching, playing and leading Lacrosse at the school he witnessed how the power of sport can improve the lives of youth. His experience was captured in the motion picture The Grizzlies.
Youth then heard from an athlete panel hosted by elite athlete, youth ambassador and FNHC staff member Lannie Houle. On the panel was Liam Gill, an Olympic snowboarder and Dehcho Dene member of Liidlii Kue First Nation who represented Team Canada as the only male Indigenous athlete at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Also on the panel was Kerrie Buchberger, a Métis volleyball athlete who represented Canada at the 1996 Summer Olympics and played for the Canadian National Women’s Volleyball Team for eight seasons, competing in two Pan American Games and a World Cup. After the panel and a presentation from Scott Godfrey from Lacrossing Barriers, the youth broke out into matches of hockey, curling, volleyball and soccer which was a real hit!
Day Two: Storytelling & Entrepreneurship
Day two themes of storytelling & entrepreneurship were captured in presentations from FNHC’s Lannie Houle on the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Nora Alook on reading and writing, and authors Gloria and Olivia Iatridis speaking about their experience writing Booked: A Strong Start for your Child Actor. After an improv session with MC Telly James and Aaron Marion-Dron, the group broke for lunch and entertainment from Kyle Young of the Troubadours and Mat Cardinal from the Prairie States.
Afternoon session highlights included presentations from Barry Morisette and Winona Lafreniere from Indigitech Destiny, and an engaging plenary from APTN’s hit show Bear’s Lair host Geena Jackson, covering the essentials of Indigenous entrepreneurship with tips, tricks and activities for attendees. Day two ended with dinner and more entertainment from Mat Cardinal and Kyle Young.
Day Three: Cultural Teachings
The final day of the event focused on cultural teachings with words from FNHC’s Caroline Adam-Courtoreille, Elder Clement Leather speaking on types of ceremony and protocols, and a mini-teepee building activity with Elder Phillip Campiou. Elder John Bigstone also led smudging and teachings in one of the Teepee’s on-site throughout the day.
After closing remarks, a round dance, a closing prayer and retreat of flags, the formal events ended with lunch and some final entertainment.
Thank you to all attendees, vendors, presenters and volunteers for making the 2024 Youth Teepee Summit a success!
"This was an amazing 3 days for me & my kids. We were sad that it was over. This event created a safe space for all and the amount of resources was incredible. I thought all the presenters were amazing. Well done. I am bringing more people next year (there was about 20 of us from my group!)."
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors and Supporters!
