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A Native leadership academy plants
seeds for the future by inspiring youth
with confidence, hope and camaraderie
By Oscar Johnson
The American Indian Leadership
Academy is making a difference in
the lives of young students.
"It makes you into a leader instead
of a follower," says 19-year-old
Winfred Pakootas, a student of Wil
lamina High School and the acad
emy. "I used to be following people
but now I just go for it. Put my foot
down. Go do what I got to do."
Winfred was one of more than 60
students in grades 8 to 11 from
schools in Grand Ronde, Salem,
Keizer and Portland as well as from
Chemawa Indian School who par
ticipated in the day-long academy.
The group gathered last month at
the Quality Inn in Salem for the
third of four monthly meetings de
signed to enhance the leadership
and decision-making skills of Ameri
can Indian and Alaska Native
youth.
The youths joined in several group
activities and discussions aimed to
bolster appreciation for Indian cul
ture, confidence, school completion
and a Native youth support net
work. , - ,
"The idea is that hopefully we will
build some leadership skills and self
esteem that will allow kids to assert
themselves," says Lisa Leno, Grand
Ronde youth leadership educator.
"We're trying to encourage young
Indian leaders."
Leno, eight of the Tribe's youth
and two other Native students rep
resented the Grand Ronde district
at the academy.
This is the second year the Lead
ership Academy has used inspira
tional speakers, challenging group
games and focused discussion groups
.to engage students in intensive mini
courses. Each six to eight-hour session re
volves around themes of "Commu
nity Building," "Cultural Awareness
and Pride," "Self-CareWellness" and
"Service to Others."
A group of students from each dis
trict will rap up the final session by
designing a community service
project to start in their home com
munities. '
Students not
only have fun
but they also
walkaway with
valuable les
sons. "It challenges
you and brings
things out in
you that you
never knew
about yourself
or just didn't
show people.
I'm learning to
express my
self," says Tara Leno, a 17-year-old
Willamina High School student.
The lesson is essential for Tara's
goal to become a professional nanny.
She says it is important because "if
you express yourself to kids they will
express themselves back instead of
just holding back their feelings."
For 18-year-old Dustin Billings, an
other Willamina High student, "learn
ing how to make what we want out of
life," has been the main lesson. , -
If you express
yourself to kids
they will express
themselves back
instead of just
holding back
their feelings!"
Tara Leno, 17
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Native Youth Academy faculty, Jillene Joseph, (left) chal
lenges students to survey their physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual health on a medicine wheel chart. The assign
ment was one of many exercises academy staff used to edu
cate and inspire Native youths to become leaders.
He says public speaking and sort
ing out the things that will help es
tablish healthy relationships are
what he looks forward to putting
into practice.
"ItH help me get a head start on
the future," says Dustin. "I'll be
ready for things." -.
Most of the students seem to agree
with Tara on what is perhaps the
most valuable benefit of the Lead
ership Academy.
A chance to meet other Indian and
Alaska Native peers.
"I got to know a lot more Native
people," she says. "That helps me to
get a better idea of who I am and
where other people come from."
. SaSsm Campus, Cu":. 7
Attend workshops, talk with em
ployers,, tour the campus, learn
about nontraditional careers and
scope out a technology showcase.
This will be a day packed with in
formation sharing. ;
The morning workshops will focus
on the needs of high school stu
dents and the afternoon is geared
for anyone interested in career op
portunities. ' -
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