Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 19/99) - Ahsii Azho Metaodea -- "everything has a purpose."

That's not just the name of a cultural camp for youth, it's a philosophy Michael Cazon embraces.

It's partially through his trials and tribulations with drugs and alcohol that he has become who he is today, and he hopes that will make a difference in the lives of youth.

Cazon and his common-law spouse, Tonya Makletzoff, received funding for the cultural camp in April through the National Crime Prevention Program. As co-ordinators, they organized two week-long camps along the Trout River in September and October for 44 youth. The adolescents were introduced to bow-making, drumming, setting snares and fish nets, dry-fish making, canoeing and portaging, moose and duck hunting, sharing circles, oral history and spiritual ceremonies.

Their purpose is to instill a sense of accomplishment and cultural pride in youth, enhance their identity and restore balance in the community. These are values that Cazon said he has learned through cultural awareness, which has helped him through crises in his own life.

Cazon decided to live in the bush at age 17. Over the following years he would come into the community and get caught up in drinking and drugs. The cycle caught up with him when he lost his spouse and children in a house fire. It was then he hit bottom, he said.

"In order for me to let it go, I started hanging around with youth," he said. "They were non-judgemental. They wanted to learn more about the land and hear more stories ... they were counsellors to me. I shared a lot of positive experiences with them that I had out on the land."

He then realized that he may be able to reach out to other youth through a program that exposes them to the aboriginal culture and the outdoors. He and Makletzoff came up with the proposal for Ahsii Azho Metaodea.

"It's to teach them when there's an obstacle, you don't give up, you learn more and you become stronger," Makletzoff said. "This (camp) isn't just answering the plea of troubled kids, this is to help the whole of society."

The first two camps proved very successful. They received phenomenal community support in terms of supplies, labour, funding and transportation, according to Makletzoff. Elder Madeline Gargan, along with Mike's parents, Mary and Gabe Cazon, also lent their wisdom. Students from Thomas Simpson school took part in one of the camps. Makletzoff said children of all races have been requesting another chance to go back out on the land. The experience helps to break down barriers, she suggested.

"I learned to respect myself and others," said one student.

Another wrote, "We cannot leave this earth without touching something. We are all connected."

Cazon and Makletzoff have plans for another camp at Notana Lake, beginning Nov. 28.

"It's a pretty powerful way of learning and sharing experiences too because you're connected to everything," said Cazon, who has taken facilitator training, personal development and life-skills coaching. "I'm willing to help out any way I can, especially with the youth."