Cree group travels to B.C. to learn life skills needed to succeed in an urban world

A group of young adults from Cumberland House Cree Nation travelled to British Columbia in November to take part in a program designed help them develop the skills needed to succeed should they decide to move away from their home northeast of Saskatoon.

Ranging in age from 18 to 30, the group spent 10 days at the Bridge House in Maple Ridge, B.C., home of The Ballantyne Project.

Born in Montreal Lake Cree Nation, about 450 kilometres north of Saskatoon where he lived until he was 21, Dwight Ballantyne grew up wishing more resources were available in the northern community.

“There's challenges, barriers and opportunities that I've never had until I turned 21," Ballantyne said, "so the whole thing was to give the opportunity to youth who may want the opportunity to see what's out there.”

Maddox Laliberte, who was part of the November group, agrees.

Laliberte, 20, says growing up in a remote community such as Cumberland House is isolating, making it difficult to learn about the outside world. He is certain the skills and values he learned during his stay will help him should he choose to leave his community for school or work.

“In the beginning [it] was kind of a culture shock, but in a good way," Laliberte recalled. "It's showing me what are the possibilities that could be waiting for me in the future.”

Laliberte, who graduated from high school two years ago, says he learned about time management, budgeting and even simple tasks such as cooking and cleaning for yourself during his stay at Bridge House.

“This program is really inspirational. I feel like I could accomplish things going out in the world,” Laliberte said, adding he has learned the ability to say yes to things he might once have been afraid to try.

Lalberte says the experience was terrific, especially since he got to share it with people he grew up with.

“This program is beautiful, amazing, and it gave me confidence to go out in the world,” he said.

“It's way different out here [in B.C.] than in Saskatchewan,” said Janai Stewart, 19, who had never travelled outside of Saskatchewan before her trip to Bridge House. She graduated from high school and left her community to find work in Saskatoon.

“I've just been learning about new things that I've never known before, like a credit score — how to maintain it — and how to pay for your bills on time and budgeting,” Stewart said.

Stewart says she learned how to handle food safely and other skills she can show on her resumé when looking for employment.