2nd Annual Youth Kindness Conference – Building Tools for Tomorrow

The Kindness Conference this year was a remarkable event that maintained its traditional format while incorporating a variety of cultural activities and featuring a mix of new and returning guests. The inclusion of parents added a unique dimension to the event, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

One of the highlights was the painting session led by Miss Joanne, a talented Metis artist and teacher. This session allowed participants to explore their creativity while learning about Metis culture. Despite the colder weather, the paint night saw 18 enthusiastic participants and was considered a great success. Plans are already underway for another Paint Night at a more favorable time.

The conference also featured performances by Legacy One, a Metis jigging dance troupe, which brought vibrant energy and cultural richness to the event. Additionally, team-building exercises and a parkour session provided opportunities for attendees to engage in physical activities and build camaraderie.

A notable aspect of the conference was the generosity of the guest speakers, who agreed to present twice for the cost of a single session. This allowed for a more diverse range of topics and discussions, enriching the overall experience for everyone involved.

Overall, this year’s Kindness Conference was a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. It successfully brought together individuals from different backgrounds to share, learn, and grow together.

The paint night is linked to Kindness through the message of Family. Miss Joanne emphasized that everyone needs to appreciate their own artwork and be kind to themselves about how they paint, as everyone has a different technique on different days. She brought in three of her own examples to show how different they were and encouraged everyone to support each other with their paintings. Her message resonated with everyone.

The hockey tournament was another highlight, with DJay McGrath coming out to play with the kids. He shared a message like Miss Joanne’s, emphasizing the importance of cheering each other on, giving high fives, and being respectful.