For the Youth

Jessica is from the community of Janvier and have been a part of the Sekweha Youth Team since 2017. She enjoys being outdoors, travelling and being a mother.

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

I loved playing with my friends, being outdoors quadding and I always loved to learn new things.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a pediatric nurse.

My name is Reanna, I live in Chard, AB. I just started working at Sekweha Youth Centre and I’m excited to see what this amazing experience brings me. I love being outdoors, and learning about our culture. I’m also excited for the kids to learn about our culture and language.

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

My favourite thing I loved to do as a kid was going to my Grandma’s cabin, it is still my favourite thing to do. Especially when it’s with my family and friends. It brings so much joy and happiness to my life.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a carpenter just like my mom is but as I got older, I really wanted to become an environmentalist.

G’Day. My name is Brandon Cardinal, I am 28 years old a member of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation. I have been a Youth Worker 10 years ago, I am happy to be back working with the youth. Being a youth worker, I am passionate about providing daily programming for our youth, whilst having fun at the same time. Outside of work. I run a small online beauty business on my days off I enjoy hanging out with family/friends, going on walks and travelling.
One of my favorite quotes “Be the change you want to see in life”.

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

Run around, explore the rez and go to the bush. I liked using my imagination and be proud of myself.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A flight attendant.

My name is Isiah Janvier, I am from Janvier, AB. I am a recent high school graduate and since graduating, I’ve starting working with youth and since then, I’ve enjoyed my time at Sekweha Youth Centre.

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

I have always liked travelling, so the many trips I travelled with Sekweha were my most memorable as a kid.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I’ve imagined myself helping people. Altruistic community member.

Dustin is the president of the Janvier Sekweha Youth Centre. He is Dene, from the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation and was born in Fort McMurray. Growing up, Dustin lived in Fort McMurray and Janvier before settling down in Janvier following his high school graduation at Father Mercredi. Dustin went on to graduate as a Junior Process Operator at one of the SAGD facilities in the region, then moved on to operate a potable water treatment plant at another SAGD facility. Eventually, he opened a business that would provide internet services to the Chipewyan Prairie Commercial Park for a few years before business slowed down. He then took a job with TDN Contracting, a wholly owned entity of the Nation, as a Health and Safety Manager. Currently, Dustin works with NOHA, also owned by the Nation, focusing on Community Relations and joint venture businesses. Dustin focuses on his family first, but always has his community at heart.

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

I’ve always loved staying active through sports such as hockey, baseball, and golf. My love for sports started young and has continued through to adulthood.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child, I dreamt of playing professional hockey, so I didn’t worry much about what I wanted to be when I grew up; as I got older though, I had to focus on working full time. I grew interested in becoming an electrician, a process operator or something in business management, inspired by my parents.

Melinda is an indigenous artist who has been professionally performing, choreographing, and instructing dance for over a decade. Melinda started dancing at the age of eight years old and hasn’t stopped since. At the age of fifteen, she was one out of two Canadians chosen for a US National tour with Hoctors’ Dance Caravan. After graduation she moved to Vancouver where she became a member of The Source Dance Company; where she would later return to choreography for their show Conversations At The Station. She is a graduate of the Toronto Media and Film College with a Film Arts and Production Diploma and has worked two seasons as a producer trainee on the APTN television show called Blackstone.

Melinda is certified in ADAPT, Acrobatic Arts Level 1 &2, Progressing Ballet Technique, and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance. She is also an Associate Member of the Society Of Russian ballet,  a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance, and an Acro Dance Certified Adjudicator. In 2018 she started YMM Dance Company 100% indigenously owned dance studio operating in the Treaty 8 Territory. The ancestral home of the Dene, Cree, and Métis people.

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

Working at Chard Trading!  I always loved spending time with my Dad in the store and helping out. If I could only go back in time when my only worry was what kind of bag of chips was I gonna eat, while I sat on the Store Steps watching Elmer back the water truck in.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Oprah Winfrey … I just wanted to be her!

Candace is a proud First Nations woman who resides in the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation. She has five beautiful children, and five stepchildren. She’s always excited and happy to say she’s a step-grandmother to four gorgeous girls. It’s easy to tell how much Candace loves children. She believes children are our home fires who ignite the flame, bringing families close and communities together for brighter futures. Being on the board for the Janvier Sekweha Youth Centre is a valuable position Candace is so grateful for. It keeps her grounded and focused on our youth, as well as the future youth of the community.

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

When I was a little girl, I loved being outdoors, going swimming, playing at the park with my friends, and jumping on the trampoline. Growing up, I liked to mow lawns, play basketball, and hang out with friends!

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

My hopes, goals and dreams were to be working with oil in the oil patch, or to be a singer or songwriter. Today, I love to blast my music while I clean my home or drive my truck. I think I sound amazing, but I’m probably hurting the ears of those around me, but that doesn’t stop me because happiness is mine and I choose to keep myself positive and in a good mood!

What was your favourite thing as a kid?

As a kid, I loved to colour, tell Sakascha stories, and I loved fashion.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

I loved to create, but I wanted to be a dentist when I grew up. I was also very interested in traditional medicine.

Keith is a blessed father of five handsome sons, five beautiful daughters and a grandpa to four wonderful granddaughters. He was born in Fort McMurray and has lived in Janvier most of his life. Growing up in Janvier was everything Keith could imagine—great school, kids playing sports together, connection to the land and wonderful gatherings that kept the community close. He feels he was taught many lessons growing up in Janvier that got him where he is today.

Keith enjoys the little things in life like fishing, hunting, quadding, and trapping. The activities he enjoys take both time and patience, virtues he values greatly when it comes to learning and teaching. The healing that comes with these activities keep him grounded and focused for his community and its youth.

Keith is proud to be on the board for Sekweha—it means a great deal to him. He believes if we continue to support our youth the way he was, today’s youth can achieve great things. Sekweha is a great experience for the youth to be part of—it is family more than a program.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

When I was younger, I always wanted to be a helicopter pilot. I wanted to soar in the air and feel like the great eagle and see great things happen beneath me. I pictured being a pilot would be just like standing over a flower and watching it bloom. This is how I feel as a parent, grandparent, role model, community member and board member. Stand tall and watch everyone around you grow and offer support along the way!