Youth explore self-esteem
Three-day workshop teaches young people in Fort Liard the importance of self worth
Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Thursday, April 23, 2015
ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Dylan Steeves was shocked at the images.
It was a big celebration at the end of the three-day self-esteem workshop in Fort Liard from April 17 to 19. Up front are Holly Fantasque, left, and Jordan Nelson. In the second, from the left, are: Amy Thomas, Logan Hardisty, Kali Norn, Katrina Emmons, Ashanti Timbre, martial arts instructor Dan Ross, Megan Steeves, Leona Berreault, Briann Nelson and Amy Duntra. In the third row, are, from left, Wyatt McLeod, Amanda Welliver, Jayden Klondike, Curtis Lomen, Nezioa Duntra, Jolan Kotchea, Tyrus Bertrand, Johnneil Bertrand, and Julianne Norn. In the back row, from left, are Terrance Kotchea, Ross Duntra, Tyrone Berreault, a jumping Dylan Steeves, James Duntra and Angus Capot-Blanc. - photo courtesy of Amy Thomas
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Not shocked because of the content but because of how the people in them were altered.
At a self-esteem workshop in Fort Liard from April 17 to 19, Steeves, along with 20 other youth, were shown images of models before and after the images were altered for publication.
The 14-year-old was shocked at how media influences the perception of what people should look like.
"People don't have the right to change your looks," he said. "You're made the way you are and you can't change, and you should be proud of who you are."
The workshop was facilitated by Amanda Welliver, a motivational speaker and founder of Paradigm Esteem. Welliver ran programming teaching the importance of self-esteem and self-confidence, and as part of the weekend, martial arts instructor Dan Ross offered a course, allowing students to earn a white belt at the end.
Through a series of games and writing exercises, youth learned about how to recognize unhealthy situations and build their self-esteem.
Amy Thomas, who works with youth in the hamlet, said they were first exposed to Welliver at a Dreamcatcher Conference in Edmonton last year.
After hearing her speak, she decided the youth would benefit from having Welliver come to the community to work more closely with them.
"Self-esteem is a big part of everyone's life," she said. "Everyone struggles with it even if they're young or old. The kids here have such talent, but some of the most talented have the lowest self-esteem.
"I just wanted to get someone in so they could let the self-esteem match the talent and ability. I always wished I could help them but I wasn't trained in it and you do the best you can, I've seen other kids respond to that (Dreamcatcher) conference and it was an opportunity."
Thomas said youth really took to what Welliver and Ross had to offer over the course of the weekend workshop.
"Some of the more shy students took charge and led group activities and team-building activities," Thomas said. "Students showed up on time and were really into it. They wanted to help out.
"They were concentrating hard and doing the work they were doing and it was a general commitment."
Steeves said he faced self-esteem issues before being exposed to Welliver's teachings - what he's learned has helped him become a healthier person.
"I'm glad I took it because it made me feel better about myself and it doesn't matter what people think of you and it's your own feelings that matter," he said. "It made me feel good, other people's words don't matter and it's your perception.
"There were bumps here and there where people wanted to make fun of me. I just thought about things and picked myself back up and here I am."
Thomas said seeing the youth open up about their lives, and dedicate themselves to the workshop and what it had to offer, was truly remarkable.
"It's hard for them to express themselves and to do a three-day course to figure out their feelings and what makes them feel good and bad, it was an impressive thing to see," she said. "It helped the kids get really in touch with their emotions."
Briann Nelson, 11, said she first wanted to go to the workshop because it sounded like something fun, especially the martial arts aspect. However, the things she learned about self-esteem had the greatest impact.
"When she talked about you can be who you really are. It made me feel good," she said. "I feel like I'm going to be more open.
"It's important to have good self-esteem because it's good for you to talk about your feelings."
Participant Ross Duntra won the outstanding student award for the workshop, and Welliver said it was because of his excellent attendance and selflessness.
"He was always there to help any student around him," she said in an e-mail to Thomas.
"His writing was truly incredible. He risked vulnerability and wrote many personal things about himself including sharing things verbally with us. He was a leader and helped others in martial arts and overall his behaviour was superior and kind."
