One day after the end of school, four of the MANS students featured by the CBC in May were back in the Leon Ingraham Industrial Arts/CTS Centre. This time, they were there as peer instructors.
Four dual credit carpentry students were among the six MANS students who successfully applied, interviewed, and landed summer jobs with Inspire Mamawi Leadership—Summer edition (IMLS).
With funds raised by the 2023 yearend “Confident Futures” Appeal to extend the Inspire Mamawi Leadership program, Chaplain Tsholo Sebetlela was able to collaborate with carpentry instructor Jonathan Belinsky in creating a new student work opportunity: a three-day workshop open to all Maskwacis teens led by IMLS students open to any teen in the Maskwacis community.
But that was just the beginning for the IMLS group, which employed six MANS students in total. The next week, they helped run a soccer camp in Maskwacis. Then it was on to building a gazebo—the centrepiece of the outdoor classroom envisioned by the 2021-2022 Inspire Mamawi Leadership group.
Travel was also part of the work-leadership program. Next, the six leaders-in-training headed to Foothills Camp near Bowden. There many new experiences awaited them, including assisting the regular Maskwacis Summer Youth Team in preparing and serving Indian Tacos (served on Bannock instead of tortillas) and other taste treats at a Food Fair.
The IMLS group closed out the summer with a trip to Yellowknife, where they provided a week of summer programing for kids aged 4-14.
Personal Impacts & Insights
“It made me push more,” says Tashay Headman (Grade 11). Her long-standing discomfort with academics shifted as she experienced new locations and challenges with her peers. “I don’t like school, and I wasn’t going to come back. But,” she smiles, “I did.” The Summer Leadership program was education in a whole different way: Tashay shared observations gained at Indian Cabins near High Level, and the differences she observed between her Maskwacis community and the reserve on the edge of Yellowknife. Seeing more ways to live as an Indigenous person brought surprising insights—even thoughts about what might make a difference in Maskwacis.
“It helped me build a better mindset,” say Faye DeMontigny-Johnson (Grade 10). It was a dramatic shift: Faye was baptized in July.
Kessalyn Strawberry (Grade 12), perhaps the most outgoing team member, envisions a career in fundraising/development, declaring herself “the next Sugar Mama of MANS.” She wants to make the school even better.
Dallas Saddleback (Grade 11) gained a vision of himself as a pastor. With new confidence and natural music ability encouraged by MANS assistant chaplain and team member Joshua Hackett, Dallas is now Student Association Pastor.
For Sean Saddleback (Grade 11), discovering his new best friend was life-altering. Quick on his feet when asked, “What’s the biggest thing that happened this summer to make your life better?” he points without a word to Kascey. She convinced him to take MANS’ dual credit carpentry classes and apply for the team.
For Kascey Crier (Grade 12), the summer leaps are profound. “I’m not as angry,” she says plainly. “I’m more calm.” It’s a metamorphosis that started when carpentry instructor Jonathan Belinsky bestowed the title of “Class Leader” on the talented teen in her first carpentry class.
Hear directly from Kascey about the Leadership summer in Our Inspire Mamawi Leadership Summer, a 59-second video interview conducted by her teammate Faye, then check out Kascey’s video debut in the CBC Edmonton news feature filmed at MANS.
Photo: (credit Trevor Boller)
Tashay Headman (L) gained many insights and an attitude shift during her Leadership summer, along with Faye DeMontigny-Johnson (R). Faye is the interviewer/producer of the first student video podcast, Our Inspire Mamawi Leadership Summer featuring Kascey Crier.
