A string of young people, about two blocks in length, made its way from St. Paul Regional High School, where it picked up students from St. Paul Elementary, and continued on through town, until it reach the Centennial Senior Citizen Club.
Students and staff from a number of schools, along with community members, gathered for the eighth annual Walk of Hope on Nov. 2. The Walk is held in honour of Family Violence Prevention month.
Despite the cold, wintery weather, this year’s Walk of Hope had the largest turnout yet, said Columbus House of Hope Executive Director Noreen Cotton.
The Town of St. Paul FCSS was also involved in the walk, with director Lynn Smid acknowledging all the young faces in the crown, saying, “Just by walking today, you’ve shown your support.”
The Mannawanis Native Friendship Centre was also on hand. Executive director Hinano Rosa offered a prayer shortly after students arrived at the hall. St. Paul RCMP members were also on hand to lead the walk through town.
But, the real show stoppers were two special guests – comedian/actor Conway Kootenay, who comes from Alexander First Nation, and professional dancer Sean Arceta, from Edmonton.
Kootenay spoke to students about his own experience, when he began pursuing a career as a hip-hop artist in the 1990s. He noted that there were a lot of “haters” when he started in the entertainment industry.
At one point, he recalled wanting to give up on becoming a hip-hop artist, and went to see his aunt for advice. While it wasn’t the advice he anticipated, Kootenay remembers what she said, as if it had happened yesterday.
“Conway, when are you going to quit that rap crap and get a real job?” asked his auntie. Kootenay says the statement broke his heart, and put him at a crossroads – either he would quit, or he would work harder and prove people wrong.
“I decided I was going to prove that lady wrong.”
By 2008, Kootenay, along with the rest of the Red Power Squad would receive an Aboriginal People’s Choice Award. The first person Kootenay went to visit after getting the award was his aunt.
When he asked her if she remembered what she had said to him, years ago, she said she didn’t. While the comment may have seemed negative to Kootenay at the time it was made, he thanked his aunt for saying what she said, because it game him the spark he needed to keep going.
“The energy you’re going to get from people isn’t always positive,” said Kootenay, as he spoke to students on Thursday. But, he encouraged them to work hard and persevere, regardless.
“You have to believe in yourself . . . You have to put in the work.”
When speaking specifically on the Walk of Hope, Kootenay noted that it’s these types of events that teach youth important lessons. Now, those in attendance understand violence of any type is wrong.
As he held up his hands, he asked students why they thought people were given hands.
Responses varied, but echoed Kootenay’s own words.
“We were given these hands to help . . . to shake hands and show respect.”
Following his speech, Kootenay, who also has a YouTube channel and is also known as the character Smudge Pan, answered questions from students.
He also introduced his long-time friend, Arceta, who is a professional break-dancer.
Arceta performed a handful of impressive solos for students, and spoke briefly about his own experience, being bullied as a teenage. He told students that becoming invovled in dance helped release the negative energy he had built up inside of him.
The Columbus House of Hope will also be holding its annual candlelight vigil on the evening of Nov. 28, following its annual general meeting.
