Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 19, 2007

RANKIN INLET - A unique and innovative group brought the world of hip hop to youth in Rankin Inlet this past week.

The program is delivered through the Blue Print for Life company owned and operated by Stephen Leafloor (Buddha) of Ottawa.

Nemesis, back, Crazy Smooth, Buddha and Dazzle, front row from left, led a hiphop program through Blue Print for Life in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Group members hail from Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and New York City.

Buddha has been a social worker for about 25 years, being involved with everything from child protection to wilderness programs for kids in jail.

His company has become so successful, he's left his career in child protection to run it full time.

"I'm one of Canada's oldest head spinners, having been street dancing for about 25 years now," said Buddha.

"I took my love of hip hop and social work and brought them together in a program that empowers kids.

"It seems to work especially well for Inuit and First Nations kids.

"They watch too much TV and start believing the world is what they see in music videos."

Buddha said his group tries to help aboriginal youth be proud of their culture.

He said the performers re-educate youth about hip hop so they realize what it's really all about.

"When hip hop first started, it wasn't about how tough you are, being a gang banger, shaking your booty or rolling in bling (money).

"It was about young people finding their own voice through art, music and dance.

"We want to return hip hop to that."

Buddha said his group members are amazing dancers who relate to youth.

He said many Northern kids are amazed the group isn't a bunch of thugs when they first meet them.

"The kids see my tattoos and think I'm like 50 Cent or Eminem, but you can't judge people by how they look.

"The truth is, I won't let my own kids watch that because it's all crap.

"We're all dancers, so we try to eat healthy and we don't smoke or drink pop.

"The kids meet a group of 10 people who don't do that stuff, but are still down with hip hop, and it busts those TV images in their minds."

Buddha said the group works hard to raise the kids' self-confidence and to encourage them to take risks in life and try new things.

He said kids have to learn to love themselves before they can love others.

"Suicide is a big problem in the North and we talk to them about real outlets and ways to support each other.

"We simply can't have kids killing themselves, but, at the same time, we have to fill that emptiness with something.

"Every day has to feel like a good day to wake-up to in the morning.

"When their faces light up with understanding, you get an overwhelming feeling inside."

Buddha said he's yet to see a kid tune out his group when they realize they're not thugs or gangsters.

He said even headbangers (hard-rock lovers) will sign up for the program because they're curious as to what hip hop is really about.

"I like to reach out to some of the hardest kids to reach, not just the ones who already participate in everything.

"We'll come to some towns a day or two early so we can talk to the young thugs and drug dealers who are hanging out and trying to act cool.

"Usually, when they find out we're heavily involved in hip hop, they'll give us the benefit of the doubt.

"They know we're down with hip hop when they see us dance because you don't get this skill level by doing hip hop as a hobby."

Buddha said his 25 years as a social worker convinced him that people change mostly because of their relationships with other people.

He said that's why he won't do one-day programs.

"If you come in and do this big thing for a day, all the kids will have stars in their eyes, but, because there's no substance to it, it won't last.

"But, because we're blood, sweat and tears with them for a week, relationships can get quite intense.

"Then, when I talk about sniffing gas or family violence, the words have a lot more meaning because of the strength of the relationships we've built up with the kids during the week."

Buddha said because his approach also deals with social issues, and isn't just about the physical dance and arts of hip hop, it's the type of program that can be funded through a number of avenues.

"We get funding support from suicide prevention, crime prevention and various other programs that deal with youth issues.

"Community outreach programs only have funding to run the programs they have.

"That's why it's so important for the government to step up and bring programs like ours to Northern youth, because they deserve the same opportunities as southern kids."