Akwesasne Youth Leadership holds Open Mic Night at Katmandew's

The Akwesasne Youth Leadership group held the first of what will be a monthly open mic night for the youth of Akwesasne at Katmandew’s in Rooseveltown last Thursday night. Members of the Akwesasne Youth Leadership group showcased their vocal talent throughout the evening while they also held a benefit lasagna dinner to help with the cost of planning their events.

The idea for the Akwesasne Youth Leadership (AYL) group started after a delegation of youth and elders attended a conference in Montana in the summer of 2010. At that conference the Haudenosaunee were given the task to host the next conference, which will be held in Onondaga. Previous youth gatherings have been held in British Columbia, Montana, and Greenland.

Planning meetings have been regularly held between Cattaragus, Allegheny, and Onondaga, with the AYL traveling to each territory to participate in the discussions and planning. These meetings are also a chance for the youth to network with the other members of the Confederacy in a drug and alcohol free environment. Local meetings of the AYL take place on a weekly basis and are scheduled either at the St. Regis Mohawk School or at an alternate location that is advertised on their open Facebook group Akwesasne Youth Leadership.

The ages of the participants in the AYL currently ranges from 14-24 years old. “There are more young parents who want to help out with this group because it will bring youth and elders together to share their knowledge.” stated Angela Elijah, an elder helping with the organization of this group. “I had been involved in a treatment circle with ACFS working with children who were involved with drugs. Those children consistently said that it was a lack in cultural identity that led them down the wrong path.” added Elijah.

A major focus point of the AYL is for the youth to support one another in their drive to learn more about the Haudenosaunee culture. “A cultural base is needed to help guide the youth, and to have us older youth set a good example. This group is really positive and we are trying to connect with the elders of Akwesasne.” Said Riccardo Najar, who is a member of the AYL from the Lakota nation.

A project that has been identified by the AYL is to assist the elders of Akwesasne with chores around their homes in exchange for them sharing their knowledge of our history and territory. This is a community service that the group will provide to Akwesasne, which will also serve as a chance for the older participants to teach the younger ones how to work. This community service will go towards determining who will be selected to represent the AYL at other events around Turtle Island.

“I want to see more youth get involved in the AYL group rather than being involved in all the negative stuff that is happening now. To have them actually put an effort into something positive.” stated Ieni Elijah, one of the younger members of the AYL who added, “I went to Montana last summer and that is where it all started. To create a group that can just help out.”

Fundraising will also be a major component of the AYL so that they can have the ability to travel and represent Akwesasne. A major event that they are planning for this summer is to participate in a canoe journey that will start at a coastal community in Washington State where canoes are a major part of their culture. Over 2,000 canoes travel together in this journey and two are being reserved for the Haudenosaunee. This will be a great opportunity for the youth to do a cultural exchange with other first-nation groups.

“I want to be able to speak in public. Attending these meetings has given me the chance to practice because we are all encouraged to say what we think about the topic at hand.” stated Emerald Rain Jock, another member of the AYL.

During the groups weekly meetings many topics get discussed, such as fundraising ideas, potential projects and ways to give back to Akwesasne. Many youth have identified that there are few opportunities available to keep teenagers busy throughout the year. The lack of an active recreation center that consistently organizes things for the teenage demographic is a problem and this forum of discussion enables them to voice their ideas without the pressure of a panel of adults listening in.

The AYL will be hosting many more events this year supporting many different talents and interests. All of their events are open to the public and they strongly encourage all youth to begin attending their meetings. Check them out on Facebook for more information and copies of their discussion notes.