Youth in rapt attention during general assembly of the 22nd Annual Gila River Youth Conference. Over 300 participants bonded during the two day conference to learn how to apply culture and leadership skills while building stronger communities.
The Akimel O’odham Pee-Posh Youth Council and staff spearheaded the two day event with an atmosphere that cultivated the importance of O’odham and Pee-Posh culture, language and history.
There were workshops that accentuated the Communities traditions in art and culture led by elders including Brenda Robertson, D5 Council Representative who shared stories and O’odham vocabulary with the youth.
Lt Gov. Joseph Manuel gave a “heart to heart” speech on the first day of the conference recalling his own salad days and his learning experiences as a young man. He talked about how the youth are more technologically savvy than previous generations but they still will need to look within to find their way in the world. He also urged them to explore what’s in their minds during the course of the conference as they discuss issues of consequence and urgency.
Along with cultural games and activities there were youth council caucuses for U’us Kehk, Hashan Kehk, Ge’e Ki, Stotonic, Va’ah Ki, Komatke/Quiva and Pee Posh. Michael Preston, Youth Council Coordinator said the guests and participants behaved exceptionally well with very little in terms of incidents of misconduct. Preston also valued the presence of GRIC Tribal leadership as it sends a clear message to the youth that there are resources for them to utilize in the Community.
Performances also highlighted the gathering with presentations by Miss Gila River 2010 Tia Benally, traditional dancers and singers, visiting royalty and visiting youth representatives.
Kyle Flores, 16, D4 Youth Council Representative, noted that this year’s conference was sweetened by visitors from Calif., Okla., Wash., and other Ariz. youth councils. The event provided a great chance for networking and to spread the message of youth leadership throughout individual tribes. “It’s a great way for a youth to have better opportunities to become a leader,” Flores said.
It was noted by Youth Council staff that visitors from Wash., are looking forward to starting their own conference and applying their own culture and customs following the example GRIC has been forerunning for 22 years.
The youth also had a chance to celebrate and test their prowess on the dance floor at a deejay dance, and they later moved and grooved to their favorite waila rhythms. Local youth motivator Robert Johnston returned from years past to perform an entertaining hypnosis show.
For a period of about 90 minutes, the genders were separated and spoken to about their significant roles within the family as well as within the tribe and what is expected of them. The elders spoke in the womens and several male figures spoke to the young men. This was the first year it was experimented with but it was a success from the verbal feedback of the youth in attendance.
Participants had the opportunity to tour several exhibitions and gather information regarding a wide array of topics from education, wellness and safety. On hand to engage the youth were the Classic Cooking Academy, WIC, GRHCC Family Planning, Gila River Probation Department, Genesis Program, Public Health and the Per Capita office among others.
Flores said that it is always the Youth Council’s intention to have more youth participate and for all the guests to be open to the activities and workshops. “The more people we know, the more fun we can have.”
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