Former regional chief for Quebec-Labrador reminding youth to never give up on their goals

Ghislain Picard travelled several hours to Gatineau, Que. to speak with the future of Indigenous politicians and entrepreneurs at the Four Points Hotel. The former regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador hopes to use his 33 years of experience to inspire emerging leaders to remain optimistic about their futures and encourage them to keep reaching for their goals. “Our young and old people as well, you know, they have a history of traumas, and we got to find a way to overcome that and you know, take the next steps,” Picard said. “The First Nations Executive Education is very key, and we’re just adding, you know, another option to what’s out there for our peoples – the kind of training that’s being offered is really tailored to the realities of our communities.” ‘Our youth need to be not necessarily guided but told that there are many options for them to make the right choices’ Picard told the leadership conference. Photo courtesy: FNEE. The First Nations Executive Education (FNEE) is a First Nation’s business school based in Montreal, where Picard is an adjunct professor. Twenty-four participants of various Indigenous communities between the ages of 18 and 35 gathered in Gatineau on Oct. 21 to take part in the second cohort of the FNEE’s “Next Generation Program” themed “Trail Forward”. The four-day program was designed to offer university-level training to future Indigenous leaders and entrepreneurs who wish to advance their personal and professional development. Entrepreneur Raphaelle Langevin, from Mashteuiatsh First Nation in Quebec, said she drove six and a half hours to participate in the program. She was hoping to not only build her career but also to learn how to make more of an impact within her community by connecting with other Indigenous youth. She said the experience exceeded all of her expectations. “I find this very empowering and inspiring and I feel like as youth we have a big role to play in the development of our communities and it’s important that we empower each other to really have an impact back home,” said Langevin. Throughout the week, participants had the opportunity to network, hear from Indigenous leaders and discuss with each other and organizers on how they can achieve their goals. Attendees at the four-day leadership conference in Gatineau, Que. Photo courtesy: FNEE They attended immersive workshops, training sessions and group discussions. There, they learned about civic engagement, strong public speaking skills and better time management, which the FNEE hopes will provide them with the vital tools needed to progress in their careers. Innu and Anishinabe academic co-lead of the program at FNEE, Jay Launiere-Mathias, said he wished opportunities like this had been around when he was younger. “I can see myself in the participants of this program. I’m a youth, at a certain point I also was searching for those opportunities, to meet other Indigenous youth, to have access to this kind of information,” said Launiere-Mathias. “I’m really glad of this opportunity that I have to work with the First Nations Executive Education to build up this program, to meet the youth, to understand what they have to say, to try and improve this program year after year and to respond to what they need.” Read More:  ‘Still a long way to go’: Ghislain Picard reflects on 33 years of leading the AFN in Quebec  The influx of applicants for their second cohort reflects the program’s initiative, reaffirming their plans to host three cohorts each year to welcome more eager emerging Indigenous leaders. Picard said he felt positive coming in to speak with the youth and felt even more positive going back. “It’s always been important in my mind to be present – especially when looking at our youth who are almost the majority in some of our communities, so they need that kind of not only presence but support. Our youth need to be not necessarily guided but told that there are many options for them to make the right choices,” said Picard. “Our young people are as good, if not better than the next person and I think that’s exactly the kind of reminder they need to be served.” Continue Reading