The Sleeping Giant stirs

Resolution and Authority As the resolution was read to the assembly, my hands began to sweat. I was sitting at the side of the room, with 50 or so of the most powerful political leaders in Ontario. What would the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs think about the Youth Council’s resolution to extend the “Decade for Youth?”

In 2000, it was decided that the years 2000- 2010 would be declared the “Decade for Youth and Development.” An office was set up to move this project forward. The Decade office was given a clear mandate to focus on four key areas: economic participation, political participation, social participation, and cultural participation. Ten years seems a long time, but time really does fly when you are talking about a generational revolution.

At a recent meeting in Ottawa, the Decade for Youth’s Council met for a planning session. They discussed the goals of the Decade, and how they were just beginning to meet them. The Youth Council decided they would need more time.

As I was saying, my hands were sweating.

“Next item for business, resolution number…”

All day long it had been like this. Resolution after resolution had come up on the screen. Some provoked heated discussions, while others passed easily. How would the leaders react to the Youth Council’s plea for more time?

Two chiefs introduced the resolution. It was clear from their voices that they believed the Decade needed to be extended. When the co-chair asked for a show of hands in favour of the resolution, more than enough hands went up. I felt the room relax, but maybe that was just me. It seemed everyone was in favour of extending the Decade.

Looking over some documents lately, I saw that about 70 per cent of Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s population is below 30 years old. That’s a really young population. We can see that young populations have different needs than older ones. Right now, one key need is for leadership.

The Sleeping Giant moves I have heard some talk of a “Sleeping Giant” beginning to stir in the land. The old stories talk of men turned into rock due to disobedience. What I see today is a nation of young people beginning to stir. They are not content to continue sleeping. They are beginning to wake up and realize that someone must lead and guide them. Perhaps the youth are this “Sleeping Giant”.

At the Winter Assembly, I saw the youth move forward in authority. Just like the other power players at the meeting, they brought their agenda forward. I also observed these youth being empowered by the Chiefs in Assembly. This is a powerful mix, because the young people don’t have to fight against a system, like in the 1960s. The youth want leaders from within and they want help from those older than themselves. Right now, it looks like the older leaders want the youth to rise up and they are going to empower them to do it.

Today, ask yourself if you are part of this new youth movement. Are you a young person, wanting to be stirred to action? Do you care about your friends and family enough to risk stepping into leadership? Are you an older person, with some wisdom that needs to be shared with a young man or young woman? Are you willing to be a part of this new revolution?