Youth health conference hailed a success

FORT FRANCES—Organizers of last week’s Youth Health and Wellness Conference, held at La Place Rendez-Vous here, are pleased with the response they received from the participants and presenters involved.
“I’m really glad we had the opportunity to offer a conference like this,” said organizer Shauna-Leigh Carlson, a health educator with Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre.
The free two-day event, presented by Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre and the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Health Branch Services, featured workshops on youth smoking, life with addictions, and health, nutrition, and fitness.
“The feedback we received from the youth said they really enjoyed the speakers,” Carlson indicated, noting two of the most powerful presenters were Roland Vandal and his son, Jessie, who spoke about substance abuse and misuse and Josey Vogels, who discussed sex, dating, and relationships.
Vogels, one of Canada’s premier sex and relationship columnists, interacted well with the youth, Carlson said.
“She was candid and didn’t shy away from anything. The participants felt comfortable asking questions,” she remarked. “It was very effective.”
Carlson also said the youths seemed to get a lot of information out of the addictions talks.
“I think it woke them up to the effect these drugs have on you and what they do to your body. They were in awe of the outcome.”
Other presenters included Fort Frances High School teacher Shane Beckett, Youth Action Alliance advisor Tiffany Whalen, elder Gilbert Smith, OPP Det. S/Sgt. Brian Brattengier, and Judy New, who holds a triple Master’s degree in nutrition, education, and biology.
“We had a great turnout, too,” Carlson enthused, noting there were 174 participants the first day and 100 for the second one.
“They came from all over and there was a good age range, which was nice to see,” she said. “It’s a hard age group to keep focused, but I think with topics that related to them, it was effective and they were attentive.”
Carlson said she’d like to have some of the presenters back to speak in the schools, and perhaps they might hold another Youth Health and Wellness Conference sometime down the road.
“It’s just a really great way for kids to talk to other youth [about] topics that are sometimes hard to discuss,” she added.
(Fort Frances Times)