YouthCAN succeed

Foster children from Fort Frances, Dryden, Thunder Bay and Kenora participated this week in the YouthCAN conference.
Youth 12 and up were invited to attend the three day event at Sunny Cove Camp which featured typical summer camp activities in addition to some teamwork oriented activities such as an “Amazing Race.”
“It’s a way for them to be able to connect,” explained Christa Little from Fort Frances Family and Children’s Services.
The retreat, which began Monday and wrapped up today, is held two to four times per year, with Thunder Bay, Fort, Kenora and Dryden each taking turns hosting the event.
Little highlighted the event is important because it gives foster kids a feeling of community and a few days of fun.
One participant said the retreats are important because of the understanding and community feeling they create. She explained how at school and in other everyday circumstances it can be difficult to find that.
Funded by YouthCAN through the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, 12 local children and five from Atikokan attended, with a total of 40 in attendance from the four towns.
The highlight of YouthCAN was a motivational speech and performance by Shy-Anne Hovorka, a musician and teacher from Red Lake, ON.
An accomplished songstress with an Honours Bachelor of Music degree from Lakehead and a Bachelor of Education degree, Hovorka teaches Ojibwe and music in her hometown.
She has performed with the Thunder Bay Symphony and has also performed in music venues and been the frontwoman for several bands from a variety of musical genres.
Hovorka first became involved with the event through her parents.
Dedicated to fostering children she explained yesterday how her parents attended an annual dinner for those who foster. It was performing at these functions that Hovorka made ties with the organization.
“If it wasn’t for CAS,” she laughed talking about her past whirlwind year. “I think I probably owe most of that to them.”
In 2007, Hovorka released her first CD, Black Thunderbird, which won her accolades and earned her three nominations for this year’s Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards.
The nominations include Single of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Songwriter.
Many of the songs on the album come from her journey as an adopted child and the difficulties of finding understanding in those circumstances, detailed Hovorka.
“I can relate to a lot of these kids and their situations,” she continued.
But Hovorka’s message is a positive one highlighted by her outlook, “If I can do it anyone can do it. I’m in a good place right now.”
As for the future, a new band is in the works with friend Michael Costa, who attended camp with her this week at Sunny Cove.