OTTAWA
A Fort Simpson teenager has returned from a conference in Ottawa ready to create changes in her world.
Nikita Larter of Fort Simpson and Anwar Tuhl, students at Grande Prairie Composite High School in Alberta, were among the 100 youths from across Canada who attended the Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Summit in Ottawa. - photo courtesy of Amy Mohr
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Nikita Larter, 17, is one of 100 youth members of Big Brothers Big Sisters who attended the Youth Summit in the nation's capital from April 15 to 17 that marked the centennial year for the organization.
"For me, this whole trip was life-changing," Larter said.
Larter, 17, joined Big Brothers Big Sisters after moving to Grande Prairie, Alta., in September to take Grade 12. Through the charity, Larter was matched with a mentor that she spends time with while doing social activities such as going to open mic nights at bistros.
The mentors help guide youth onto more positive paths and give them a different perspective on life, she said.
"I think it's a really positive program," said Larter, who hopes to become a mentor after she turns 18.
In order to attend the summit, Larter had to fill out an intensive application that included developing an action plan for an initiative she could complete once she returned. Larter wrote about the lack of support services available for teens and her plan to give speeches to junior high students about Big Brothers Big Sisters. Having been to the summit, Larter said she knows she can do this and many other things.
"Every single one of us went home knowing we could change the world," she said.
"We all went home so much happier."
The whole summit was a leadership and empowerment workshop, Larter said. Me to We, an organization that promotes helping people make choices for a better world, led the summit.
The conference began with group activities that brought the 100 youths from across Canada together.
"Within 24 hours we were all best friends because of the emotional attachment," Larter said.
Knowing that 100 other people are supporting you is really comforting, she said.
For Larter, one of the highlights of the summit was meeting with members of Parliament. Larter met with Defence Minister Peter MacKay. The two talked about Big Brothers Big Sisters, which MacKay has been involved in, and the cadet corps in Fort Simpson.
"It was really cool," she said.
On April 16, the youths toured Parliament Hill, watched a debate and saw the Senate. Larter said she'll never forget what Senator Don Meredith told the participants in the summit.
"(He said) we may only be 20 per cent of Canada's population, but we're 100 per cent of Canada's future," said Larter, referring to the country's youth.
The participants also met Gov. General David Johnston, while visiting his house, and hockey legend Bobby Orr who attended the reception on the final night of the summit.
Larter said she went to the summit thinking in the back of her mind that she could do something great if she wanted. The summit gave participants the confidence to know they can make a difference, she said.
Larter hopes to promote Me to We to youth in the territory and see a Big Brothers Big Sisters agency established in the NWT.
The summit, which is held yearly, is about getting youth thinking about social engagement and being innovative in their community, said Amy Mohr, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie and Area.
The gathering gives youth the confidence and tools they need to make changes that are important to them, Mohr said.
