The Youth Initiatives Program has taken off quite favorably. There has been much work done to this point, and there is still much work left to be done. I feel we have made strides in our attempt to rejuvenate a more active recreational foundation for Akwesasne. The discipline and respect that we need to instill in our youth can be obtained through sport or simply belonging to, and feeling part of, some sort of organized activity. .......... With that in mind we have ventured into many
areas hoping to pique the interests of as many individuals as possible,
all the while, incorporating as many existing avenues that Mohawk Council
has to offer as possible. A fine example is the involvement of the Akwesasne
Child and Family Services Department, the Addictions and Counselling Program,
the Anowarakowa Arena, The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services and the R.C.M.P.
Our intent is to amalgamate, and expand on the fine work already being done
by the District Recreation Committees and other Youth Groups or entities.
As is Indicated by the involvement of the above mentioned programs, we would
like to address the many social problems that continue to plague our community.
Through this approach we have obtained some funding and broadened the awareness
of what we hope to achieve in our community. Past and Present Endeavors: - Our acceptance in The Partners in Caring Program
through the Ottawa Senators has been well documented. We were graciously
given the opportunity to attend thirteen NHL Hockey games at 100 tickets
per game. This resulted in also having an Akwesasne Night at the Corel Centre
where we were presented with a $10,000 cheque from the NHL Assist Program
at center-ice in front of 17,400 fans. A player from each minor hockey team
donned their team jersey and proudly displayed our Nation Flag. On this
same night a 50/50 Raffle was conducted and the funds allocated to the Youth
Initiatives Program. These funds are still being processed to date but we
are expecting a disappointing $800 after all Departments within Mohawk Council
are reimbursed. Even with the turmoil that preceded this event it is still
encouraging to say that we did not lose any money. I do not consider this
a failure, because there are an awful lot of youth who actually got to attend
a NHL Hockey game for the first time who may not have otherwise had the
opportunity. Our relations continue with the Ottawa Senators. - The Ottawa Senators continue to oblige us
as we were accepted to undertake The Nike/NHL Street Hockey Program that
will be coming soon. We had a terrible time with an insurance flaw that
saw us miss the opportunity to have four Ottawa Senator Players come to
Akwesasne and provide a skills clinic to our youth. It was doubly disappointing
considering their success in the playoffs, however we have been assured
that the program is coming and so are the players. They may be here in September. - Encouragement is a key element when dealing
with youth. In conjunction with the Social Development and Health Department
and the Bank of Montreal, we were able to bring thirty-eight Honor Roll
students to a Brian Adams concert at the Corel Centre in Ottawa. Being careful
not to discriminate, twelve of these students were from the Salmon River
School District. We also always offered as much as half of our allotment
of Senator's hockey tickets to the U.S. portion of the territory through
their Health Services making sure youth was a priority. - After writing a letter to the WWF (World Wrestling
Federation) offices, we were allotted twenty complimentary passes for a
wrestling show at the Cornwall Civic Complex. These tickets were offered
through the elementary schools. - We have good relations with the Ottawa Carleton
Youth Centre in Ottawa. Through them we were able to send our own figure
skating club to the Elvis Stojko World Tour at the Corel Centre. - A play entitled "Winds-of Change"
was presented at the GVSS Auditorium. This presentation deal with coping
with indifference, and making choices and decisions through the eyes of
a Native American, a lone French speaking female, and a know-it-all tough
guy. It' met rave reviews and was obtainable from a grant through Casino
Rama and with the help of the Akwesasne Co-Op. It was very appropriate considering
the complex ethnic makeup of GVSS. - 50 youths were taken on a skiing trip to Titus
Mountain. - Several groups of ten attended movies. - Sponsored 25 youth in the past two sessions
of Jacques Martin Bockey School in Hawksbury. Jacques Martin is the head
Coach of The Ottawa Senators This school is a very prestigious and much
sought after for instruction that is totally operated by NHL Players. Mr.
Martin has graciously ensured that Akwesasne will have 25 registrations
made - Entertained the Tom Jackson Concert for Suicide
Prevention and Empowerment at the Anowarakowa Arena. After expenses, we
estimate approximately $3,000 in revenue. We would like to to use this money
to entertain over avenues of similar fundraising. I believe we need more
activities of this nature in our arena. It may be labeled "Spending
Money to Make Money". - Donation to the GVSS Lacrosse Program so they
could attend a qualifying tournament in Peterborough, Ontario. This is a
prestigious tourney that would allow our youth to showcase their talents
in front of many college coaches who frequent this event. - Tsi Snaihne Recreation T-Ball - First ever Akwesasne representative in a Body-Building
Competition - Shane King took 4th Place. - $10,000 donation to the newly acquired Jr.
B. Hockey Program. We need to realize that our youth will be scouted and
hopefully drafted by College and Major Jr. A coaches. The next step is the
pros whether it be via the International League or ultimately the NHL. It
is probable that some may see action with the Cornwall Colts. - We are presently operating a summer program
in all three districts. - Akwesasne Youth Initiatives Basketball Camp
at the Kanatakon School gym - instructor is Terry Garrow, All Canadian at
University of Manitoba. With guest instructors and speakers. - Coming in the near future will be a Trampoline
Club that will be conducted by Jean Luneau. Jean is a Trampoline Champion
anda member of the RCMP in Cornwall. He is also willing to give safety seminars
for the many who already own a trampoline. This club will be conducted through
the Kawehnoke School Gymnasium. |