M’CHIGEENG—Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) was the location for the Good Life Youth Conference sponsored by Noojmowin Teg. This year, Given Cortes and Corey MacDonald organized the speakers and programs with the theme Chasing the Fire.
“We chose fire to go along with the teaching of finding the fire within,” Mr. Cortes said. “Our facilitators and keynote speakers have pursued their dreams, they have found their fire, and so we are hoping they can share that information with the youth, The conference has been around for a long time, but this is the first time Corey and I have been asked to organize it. We decided to add, in addition to the speakers, opportunities for the kids to move around, have freedom to choose what they wanted to do, and have some physical activities going, instruction in various sports, as well as the formal stuff,” he added.
Alma Jean Migwans opened the ceremonies with a gathering song and prayer. She talked briefly about MSS and what it was like for Indigenous students in her time at the school. These are painful memories for her. “That’s part of our history and I’m not afraid to say it anymore. I used to be so afraid to share anything that was painful to me, but we need to see it for what it is.”
Her talk was instructional for the youth in the audience and, in the end, she acknowledged that much has changed at MSS—the building itself, as well as an atmosphere of acceptance between its walls, for which she was grateful.
The morning keynote speaker, Lyndsay Taibossigai, shared with the audience the struggles she has endured, her own personal difficulties on top of the loss of her brother to substance abuse and suicide. In addition to telling her story she was sharing the story of BEAM Paints. How she discovered these paints, made right here on Manitoulin Island, how painting improved her mental health and how, through a series of events, she came to work with Anong Migwans Beam and BEAM Paints. Hers was a story filled with optimism and encouragement for young listeners, giving them a sneak peak at the illustrations she’s done for a children’s book she has in the works.
There were two scheduled keynote addresses, and in between there was lots going on around the school. Information tables were set up for Noojmowin Teg, Kenjgewin Teg, Mnaamodzawin Health Services, Tobacco Wise Ontario and Public Health Sudbury District. Jonn Naveau had cedar tea and smudging in the Three Fires Lounge, where Niibin (Clarice Pangowish) was on hand to share traditional teachings; Badminton Pro Training was going on with David Peltier in one part of the gym, while archery was being taught on the other side of a partition that was drawn over the entire length of the room. Later in the day boxing and kickboxing drills were taking place.
The MSS Robotics team was on hand with stations set up for teaching code, designing and making buttons, all the while working on their latest robot. Just before lunch, they had a breakthrough in their connections – foreign to an outsider, but exciting news to everyone else in the room – green lights lit up everywhere. A cheer went up before everyone filed out to grab some lunch. Prepped, of Little Current, provided lunch for all in attendance and it was well received.
Madison Kvaltin, otherwise known as Miss Universe Canada, entered the cafeteria as lunch was winding down. She was so unassuming in her casual attire (even while wearing her crown) and so down to earth the young audience was drawn to her instantly.
Mr. Cortes introduced her as the keynote speaker and she quietly and confidently began her talk. She grew up in Lively. She says she was a tomboy who never really fit in at school. She loved being outdoors and enjoyed all kinds of sports. When she was approached about entering a beauty pageant her immediate response was ‘no!’ She was won over in time, of course, and she discovered that she could become a role model, that young girls would listen to what she had to say, and she could, in fact, effect change in people’s lives, and in the world. She entered the world of pageantry, not realizing the intensely hard work required.
“It’s not all about beauty,” Ms. Kvaltin explained. One of her passions is body confidence, having struggled with an eating disorder in her younger years, she feels her position as Miss Universe Canada gives her a platform to foster body confidence and mental wellness. However, the first time she entered the Miss Universe pageant she did not win, she was first runner up. This made the title all the sweeter and made Ms. Kvaltin more determined to win the next time. She worked incredibly hard, “There was a whole new mentality going into it the next time,” she admitted. And it paid off.
“Becoming Miss Universe Canada was a major goal of mine these last few years, and now that I’ve achieved that, it’s taught me to set new goals and go for them. Don’t be afraid of failure,” she told her audience. “Beauty fades, but the impact you leave on the world can last a lifetime,” she said. She confided that she learned this truth from her Pageant Director for Miss North Ontario many years ago, but it’s an important truth to always keep in mind. Her last message to those present, was the importance of looking after their own health, bringing attention once again to her passions: body confidence and mental wellness.
Miss Universe Canada stayed on to answer questions and to have her picture taken with all who wanted a picture with her and just about everyone in attendance did want a picture with this young woman who exudes beauty both inside and out.
Many of the afternoon’s sessions at the conference were repeated activities of the morning schedule, but also included the opportunity to test out one’s creativity as well as BEAM paints in a workshop with Ms. Taibossigai.
This year’s Good Life Youth Conference, according to Mr. Cortes, was “Engaged.” With so many other events going on that day, in M’Chigeeng alone, he felt the turnout was just right. “Our theme this year was ‘Chasing the Fire,’” he said, “next year we plan to work on a different element – could be water. We’ve always had a Good Life Conference, but we’re rebranding,” he said. And we look forward to what comes next.
by Margery Frisch
