Vancouver Conference Thrill of a Lifetime for MN-S Youth
Photo courtesy of Kymber Palidwar
(Submitted by Kymber Palidwar, MN-S Youth Delegate)
I was recently interviewed by a university student enrolled in a class called History of Sport in Indigenous Perspective. The student asked me about my time at the 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering, and my participation in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremonies. Her questions inspired me to evaluate the life changing two weeks that I was so fortunate to have experienced.
The 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering (IYG) ran from January 31 to February 14, 2010. To the best of my knowledge, it was the first time in Canadian history that Métis, Inuit, and First Nations cultures have come together to learn from one another, and forge friendships.
The first day was a mixture of nerves and excitement. After months of waiting and counting down, I was finally in BC, surrounded by hundreds bright faces, some familiar, but most brand new. It was a chance to form bonds with ambitious and talented youth from all over Canada, learn from them, learn from myself, and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience performing in the Opening Ceremonies.
The endless routine of shaking hands and introducing myself never got old. It was just as fun the first time on the first day, as it was the last time on the last day. I was honored to be grouped in with such leaders and role models as these. In attendance were dancers, singers, athletes, actors, models, bead workers, wood crafters, musicians; so many young people in tune with their personal talents, as well as their cultures and traditional art forms.
There were four of us representing the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Myself, Daniel Olver, Dallas Fiddler, and Bradley Brown. Over 300 youth participants in total were hosted by the Squamish First Nation, split into two camps; Half of us at the North Vancouver Outdoor School, the other half at Evans Lake, just up the mountain. We were fed well, and spoiled with promotional Olympic and Nike gear. We had fitness options each morning, and social time around the fire each night. In between, our days were spent attending presentations from our sponsors, taking part in educational or cultural workshops, and rehearsing for our performance in the Opening Ceremonies.
Although we as delegates knew about our upcoming performance, the planning committee had us sign a confidentiality agreement along with our applications. Some participants even kept it quiet from their spouses! What we didn’t know was exactly what the performance would entail.
The first day of rehearsal came quickly, where we learned that all 300 of us would be performing our respective traditional dances, while the athletes of the world march on stage around us. I marvelled over the honour and privilege. Then I remembered that I’ve never learned how to Métis jig! Luckily, I wasn’t the only one shy of jigging skills. Luckier still, one of the Métis youth in our group is a competitive dancer, who took time to teach a jigging workshop.
Rehearsals were tiring, and dragged on all week. Regardless of minimal sleep, and monotonous boxed lunches provided to us at BC Place, I couldn’t help but remain energized by the realization of how fortunate I was to be taking part in such a historic event! The 2010 Olympic Winter Games is the first time in Olympic history where the planning and execution involved, consulted with, and included the Aboriginal peoples of the hosting country.
The Aboriginal peoples of Canada – Métis, Inuit, and First Nations – were represented at the Games in the form of volunteers, consultants, artists, and performers. The message to Canada and the world was “We are no longer lost tribes showcased in a museum. We are still here, and we are thriving!”
To take part on a global front, with a smile on my face, representing the Métis people of Saskatchewan, and my ancestors before me was an honor that invoked unbearable pride. More than once, I shed tears on stage. During dress rehearsal, our choked-up choreographer called out through our earpieces. “You guys look awesome. You would not believe how incredible this is. You all should be proud of yourselves. You are out here doing what your ancestors couldn’t. Dance for them. They are here with you tonight, and they are so proud of all of you.”