GAMETI/RAE LAKES - Locked in a hypnotic trance, Patricia Wedawin found herself dancing hip-hop in front of her whole school, all in the name of self-esteem.

Dakota House demonstrates mind over matter in action for JWGS students as he supports the weight of Gameti recreation co-ordinator John Burrows. - photo courtesy of Jean Wetrade Gameti School staff

Wedawin, a Grade 9 student at Gameti's Jean Wetrade School, was one of the community members to participate in a motivational workshop when actor Dakota House - of North of 60 fame - and hypnotist Scott Ward visited Gameti late last month. The team presented their Going MILES (Motivate, Inspire, Lead, Empower, Succeed) workshop and are expected to return to Gameti in July to take part in the Tlicho gathering.

Wedawin, who felt completely relaxed during the hypnosis, had a good laugh later when she watched her performance on video.

"It was really embarrassing," she laughed. But the hypnotic act was all part of a larger message for the youth, one that Wedawin said wasn't lost on her.

"They told us about how we should always respect ourselves. They told us how they lived their lives when they were young and they told us we should go for our goals and work really hard to make our dreams come true," she said. "I learned that practice doesn't always make perfect, it makes improvement."

Wedawin's classmate, Alicia Mantla, had seen House on TV and said she was excited that an actor was visiting her school. She said she didn't want House and his team to leave after the workshop was over.

"It's a small community and we don't really have that much entertainment around here. It's really fun when they're here because they do a lot of activities," Mantla said.

House, who lives in Edmonton, founded the Going MILES program six years ago, after he made a commitment to staying sober.

"The idea is to bring up their self-esteem," House said.

He wanted the workshops to inspire aboriginal youth across the country, primarily those who live in isolated, rural areas.

"We work with youth in different communities from one end of the country to the other, and a lot of what we're seeing is the same issues," many of which stem from residential school, he said.

"These are issues that can't be swept under the carpet," said House, who has four children of his own. "Film and TV is a vehicle for me to get into the communities and work for the future leaders."

He's noticed upon arriving in some small communities that many young people lack self-confidence.

For these kids, "even saying their name in front of a crowd is an accomplishment," House said. And by the end of the workshops, which include trust exercises, brain teasers, martial arts lessons and dance parties, House said those same kids are running alongside his van, asking him not to go.

He said all kids have talents, and he's glad to be part of helping them develop those. Years after starting the program, he's still getting messages from former students and their parents, updating him on their progress in university or in a new career. That's what he loves the most.

"Hearing stuff like that, those are some of the most gratifying and touching experiences," House said.

The Going MILES team is off to rural Saskatchewan this month.