That’s A Wrap! Our New Team More than 500 attended the Gala Vision Quest Conferences Inc. welcomes Banquet on closing night – the most our new 2009 coordination team: popular event of the conference each year. Conference Coordinators: People dressed up in their best and came Debbie Maslowsky and Melanie Rennie out to indulge in a delicious dinner, cel- ebrate achievement, share in special hon- Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper: ourings, and enjoy entertainment. Jocelyn Lobster DerRic Starlight is a comedian and pup- Ph: (204) 942-5049 / 1-800-557-8242 peteer who amazes audiences from Fax: (204) 943-1735 around the world. He surely amazed the E-mail: [email protected] Vision Quest crowd, and had the whole room laughing when Grand Chief Morris Shannacappo joined him and his puppet Special Thanks The 12th annual Vision Quest Conference Granny on stage. Vision Quest Conferences Inc. is a non-profit took place May 13 to 15 at the Winnipeg A Star Attraction The evening also included traditional charitable organization formed through Convention Centre. This year’s event was the dancing and drums performed by Curtis partnerships with six Community Futures largest to date, with nearly 600 registered Assiniboine and family, a video sum- Development Corporations: Delegates – including 177 youth – and a very mary of the 2008 conference, and a Cedar Lake CFDC; Dakota Ojibway CFDC; performance by Reddnation, Canada’s Kitayan CFDC; Northwest CFDC; busy tradeshow presenting 82 Exhibitors. Aboriginal rap sensation. Reddnation also North Central CFDC; and Southeast CFDC Thank you to everyone for participating. It conducted two popular youth workshops Therefore, Vision Quest would not exist with- wouldn’t have been a success without you! at the conference – Anti Gang Awareness, out the generous support of our Sponsors. To our Speakers and Presenters, you are the and Alcohol Awareness and Goal Setting. Once again, we’d like to acknowledge and say Adam Beach thank you to our 2008 Sponsors: reason that Vision Quest stands out from Keynote Speaker at other conferences, and your involvement is Vision Quest Conference May 14, 2008 MARK YOUR CALENDERS for the 2009 Vision Quest DIAMOND SPONSORS truly invaluable. We are grateful you took the Conference, MAY 11 to 13 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre Indian Northern Affairs time to take part. Special thanks also goes Participants at Vision Quest were hon- He encouraged youth to focus on their Canada (INAC) out to the more than 60 volunteers who oured to have Adam Beach take part futures, and listen to their Elders. He But before next year rolls around… Vision Quest wants to know Human Resources and Social helped pull it all together, and contributed as a Keynote Speaker, and in delivering told them to be patient for that door of your good news from this year! Development Canada (HRDC) their time and energy. the powerful multimedia presentation opportunity to open, but work hard in Kigeet. the meantime – so when it does open If you made special connections at Vision Quest in 2008, discovered a new op- PLATINUM SPONSORS portunity, or found the conference to be a great place to “seal a deal”… we’d love they’ll be ready. He also reminded every- MTS All Stream We hope everyone enjoyed themselves Probably the most recognizable to feature your success story on the Vision Quest website. Aboriginal actor in Hollywood today, one to have self-respect, to share stories Province of Manitoba at the 2008 Vision Quest Conference, both good and bad, to look for solutions Please share your story with us by sending an email to visionquest@mts. Adam’s talents have earned him numer- and we sincerely hope to see you again to problems, and to learn from mistakes. net Everyone who submits will be entered in a draw for a complimentary Tribal Councils Investment ous roles on television and in major Delegate pass in 2009. Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2009. Group of Manitoba Ltd. next year. Mark your calendars for motion pictures. His credits include GOLD SPONSORS May 11 to 13, 2009! Clint Eastwood’s Flags Of Our Fathers; Windtalkers where he played alongside Manitoba Hydro Nicholas Cage; the epic television movie South Beach Casino From the Board of Directors Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee with The Radisson Vision Quest Conferences Inc. Aidan Quinn and Anna Paquin; and the Winnipeg Convention Centre television series Law & Order: Special Kim Bullard, Dakota Ojibway CFDC Victim’s Unit. SILVER SPONSORS Carol Johnston, Southeast CFDC Adam shared personal segments of his When asked what he thought of Vision Great-West Life Rick Ducharme, Cedar Lake CFDC life’s journey with the Vision Quest audi- Quest, Adam said he was honoured to Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Marc Randy Ranville, Kitayan CFDC ence, and acknowledged the significance be asked to participate, and during the Destination Winnipeg Leann Brown, North Central Development week found his own inspiration: “This RBC Royal Bank of having support and mentorship along Leona Olson, Northwest CFDC the way. He spoke about the importance kind of conference is very important, Vision Quest Conferences Inc. MEDIA PARTNERS of staying in school and education. continued... Phone: (204) 942-5049 Fax: (204) 943-1735 APTN First Perspective Email: [email protected] SAY Magazine Grassroots News 200 - 208 Edmonton St. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1R7 NCI 105.5 FM Winnipeg Sun Vision Quest Web: www.vqconference.com AMIK.CA Thunder Voice News Conference Partners DAKOTA OJIBWAY CFDC KITAYAN CFDC NORTHWEST CFDC SOUTHEAST CFDC CEDAR LAKE CFDC NORTH CENTRAL CFDC “Star Attraction” continued.... especially in regards to teaching the created by Chris Beach and the late younger generation about opportunities Derek Quill. Designed to bring aware- that are out there, and in giving them ness to suicide prevention, Kigeet Leading some motivation and direction in career featured a captivating performance by The Leaders choices. It’s important for our people to Adam interacting with other performers Southern Grand Chief Morris J. Swan see that we are successful. pre-recorded and projected onto large Shannacappo was the second Keynote “Vision Quest provides strength in lead- screens beside the stage. Speaker to address the Vision Quest ership, and challenges old ideas about Chris told the audience he was moved audience. Residing from Rolling River leadership. It’s not good enough anymore to do something when a foster child he First Nation, Chief Shannacappo was at finding excuses and showing lack of had cared for at one time took his own elected in 2007 to lead the Southern Chiefs The Vision Quest Board would like to leadership – on reservations and in the life: “I want people to know that suicide Organization. He is a tireless supporter of dedicate this newsletter in memory of cities. We need to find solutions, and is a very serious issue among our people economic and community development, Curtis Assiniboine. For the past several Vision Quest provides an opportunity to – especially our young people. If we can and expanding the role of Aboriginal people years, Curtis and family provided cultural address some of the challenges and make take a performance like Kigeet and tour within the economy. entertainment during the opening and economic development a reality.” it to different places and create awareness Keynote Speaker Southern Grand Chief Optimistic about the future, Chief closing ceremonies for the conference. On Wednesday afternoon, more than of suicide, maybe one day we will save Morris J. Swan Shannacappo Shannacappo spoke about opportunities someone’s life. That’s my hope.” We have been truly honoured to know Curtis. 1100 people came out to the free show- for growth. Like Adam Beach’s address, He will be missed. ing of Kigeet, a multi-media stage play he emphasized the importance of teaching the younger generation to make positive choices. He encouraged youth to accept guidance from mentors and Elders, and to “Kigeet brought a hard dose of reality to many in the audience. Some take advantage of the many resources available today that were not there for his laughed nervously during the play, some left with tears running down generation. He affirmed the need for people to invest in youth in order to have a more Award Presentations sustainable future for all Aboriginal people. their cheeks, others sobbed quietly in their seats. Beside me sat two Business Plan Competition Awards Chief Shannacappo expressed the significance in communities coming together, sisters, unable to contain their grief. I passed them tissues to dry their presented by the TAKING IN THE looking at the wealth of resources around them, and striving for collective success. Aboriginal Business Service Network tears, but there will never be enough tissues to heal their hearts.” He reminded people to identify resources within themselves, and use ideas and TRADESHOW - Dennette Munro knowledge to improve programs so they are better suited to the way Aboriginal Adult Category people learn, and so they also retain Aboriginal culture and beliefs. “Most programs Urban - Shirley Prieston of Winnipeg for Vision Quest once again had a tremen- are not working because they are not our design,” he said. Living Spirit Rehabilitation Services dous response to the Tradeshow, which He talked of the dream of self-governance, and the journey towards self-sustaining Rural - Carlos Hall of Thompson for took place over two days during the MURAL MURAL ON THE WALL communities. “How do we get back to the days before funding, back to the days of C & R Wilderness Adventures conference. All of the 82 Tradeshow Graffiti Art Programming Inc. (GAP) is a not-for-profit community youth art center trade and commerce?” he asked. While there is no easy answer, he spoke of the spaces were sold out, allowing partici- located in the core area of Winnipeg. Also known as the Graffiti Gallery, they use art responsibility of community members to hold themselves accountable to their Youth Category pants to visit a vast array of business as a tool for community, social, economic and individual growth of high-risk youth communities, and to ensure their council is accountable. Self-governance begins Business Plan (Individual) - Melissa Keno suppliers, service providers, hospitality in Winnipeg communities. on the inside and grows outward from there. of Argyle Alternative high School for groups, economic development orga- The Graffiti Gallery had a presence at Vision Quest this year, and spent two days First Faze Café...with Internet nizations, educational institutions, and painting a large mural onsite. Many youth participants joined in on the project, information services, along with craft- Business Plan (Team) - St. John’s High School resulting in a beautiful work of art for all to see. ers and artisans. LADY LUCK WANTED ON OPENING NIGHT for Harmony Instrument Cleaning Exhibitors came from across Manitoba Business Start - R.D. Parker Collegiate for Foods-R-Us and Canada to be part of the New to Vision Quest this year was Casino Tradeshow. Irene Sorgenfrie who runs Night, the opening event in support of the Crafts By Irene participated for the first Aboriginal Tourism Industry. Using real RBC Foundation time this year, and was pleased with the Roulette, Blackjack, and Wheel of Fortune Scholarship Award opportunity. tables, participants tried their luck betting Junior Achievement ‘fun money’ and bidding on prizes. Nichole Ironstand (finalist) Melissa Keno (winner) “Vision Quest is an excellent The evening was sponsored by South marketing opportunity with Beach Casino, with a number of great items given away including home Clement Travel Services. Proudly University of Manitoba friendly people. It was a great “This is a very important conference for young Aboriginal people. electronics, office equipment, gift cards, celebrating 20 years of business in 2008, Vision Quest Bursary experience that I’m looking They are shown the many opportunities available to them and hear and a 42” television. Two roundtrip Clement Travel Services is a genuine Steve Prince forward to repeating in 2009.” stories from successful role models from their communities.” airline tickets to New York were also economic success story. Memorial Award given away, donated by Manitoba’s Congratulations Clement! Claude St. Hilaire Irene Sorgenfrie, Crafts by Irene - Carole Fréchette, Outreach Coordinator Equity & Diversity Branch, Exhibitor in 2008 - 1st year attended City of Winnipeg – 6 years attending the conference