Raising awareness among young Atikamekw about the importance of politics

For the last day of the event, the Grand Chief was at the heart of the activities, presenting a conference on governance and providing the closing remarks of this summit intended for Atikamekw aged 15 to 35.

It is without a text in front of him that the great chief wanted to challenge the young people of his nation. Sentences such as the Atikamekw Youth Summit is the cornerstone of your future Where get involved, it’s a matter of protecting your children were therefore launched during the morning in order to make the 120 young people gathered understand that the issues of governance, autonomy and self-determination are not to be taken lightly.

In an interview, the great chief, elected at only 33 years old, justifies this fervent desire to heal this deficiency that is not healthy.

” It takes participation, otherwise they will just live with the decisions. »

The politician has therefore given himself the task of popularizing political questions. Things [ne] are not that complicated, it’s often fights of principle. Often there are people who complicate things to hide certain interestshe believes, noting also that the interest of young people being present, the latter posing very very very relevant questions.

It is with these reflections in mind that Constant Awashish wished to make the weight of politics and law in the broad sense understood. You have Aboriginal title. It cannot be withdrawn from you, except by consultation carried out in good and due form, or by referendumhe hammered more than once.

The Grand Chief of the Atikamekw Nation Council also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of unity within the nation, unity endangered by the withdrawal of Wemotaci from the Atikamekw Nation Council. Unity is an investmenthe launched during his closing speech.

Although in no way central to the activities of the event, the issue of Atikamekw unity made a few appearances here and there during the various interventions over the weekend.

Despite these internal tensions, elections of representatives to the youth secretariat of the nation took place. Each community — Manawan, Wemotaci and Opitciwan — was thus able to elect a representative who will have the task of ensuring the promotion of the interests of young people within the nation.

Liam Niko Awashish, 25, was elected for a second term.

The youth development coordinator (sports and recreation) at a youth center is delighted that an event like the Atikamekw Youth Summit is taking place.

” I learn, I can talk with other people, find friends… »

For him, getting involved with young people in his community is very important. He wanted to run for a second term with the last two years of the pandemic in mind, which have been tough on young people.

The level of motivation is low, so there are school dropouts. It concerns me, because these are our future leaders, regardless of the sectorlaunches the one who will start an integrated baccalaureate in philosophy and political science at Laval University.

Liam Niko Awashish remains optimistic.

I am optimistic, because the young people, of course, want the unity of the Atikamekw nation. I hope that we will meet one day so that we can ensure our self-governmenthe concludes.