Dreamcatchers Conference set to inspire, connect youth with First Nations traditions

Photo: Splatsin

Inspiring First Nations youth is the goal of the Secwepemc Dreamcatchers Conference.

The conference takes place March 17-19 at the Adams Lake Band gym, in Chase.

The event will workshops on the medicine wheel, canoe protocols, traditional medicines, fisheries, survival, drumming and more.

Guest speakers will include First Nation golf pro and inspirational speaker Stephen Tooshkenig, Jason Simon, a former NHL hockey player and role model, and Kim Gouchie, a Secwepemc musician and artist.

Reconciliation and community building will be among the themes, and a seven generations guest speaker is yet to be announced.

There will also be a lahal (stickgame) competition and talent show.

Lahal is a traditional game of First Nations people. It consists of sticks of different colours and woods, and bone pieces made of antlers or bone.

The objective is to win sticks by guessing where the unmarked bones are in the opposing teams hands. Drumming and singing is often used to distract the opposing team and, traditionally, games might last for days.

Today, it is typically played at celebratory events.