Lhtako Dene First Nation, ?Esdilagh First Nation, Nazko First Nation and Lhoosk’uz Dene First Nation are together putting on a Heal - Inspire - Empower Youth Conference on Apr. 13-14 at West Fraser Centre.
The event will feature First Nations motivational speaker Suzette Amaya, who will speak on self esteem, confidence and suicide prevention.
First Nations songstress twins Dani & Lizzy are attending from Vancouver; they will also speak to youth on sobriety, and will perform a concert on Saturday night in the West Fraser Centre arena.
There will be a video dance with DJ Staniml following the concert, for which there will be a small fee.
Although geared towards First Nations youth, Lhtako Dene Nation social development co-ordinator Kristen Boyd says the event is open to any interested youth.
There will be a meet & greet event on Friday evening, and a full day of speakers on Saturday, all taking place at West Fraser Centre.
Boyd says the four local bands have come together to put on the event for the first time.
“I saw another community doing this kind of event on Facebook and I thought it would be great here,” she says.
She and two other Lhtako Dene band staff – health director Deanna Boyd and family support worker Terry Boucher – worked together to bring the event to Quesnel.
The organizers are asking that interested youth sign up through the four band offices, so they can get an idea of how many people will be attending. Boyd expects it will be a popular event.
“We’ve had lots of phone calls from other communities asking if they can bring their youth,” she comments.
“A community in Vanderhoof is hoping to bring a group.
“Because Dani & Lizzy are very popular in the First Nation community, we think there will be a good turnout,” she adds.
Contact Kristen Boyd at Lhtako Dene’s office for more details: 250 747 2900 or kristen@lhtako.com.