A young man from Lennox Island First Nation wants to be a voice for Indigenous youth when he appears before the Senate, June 4-6, in Ottawa.
Richard Pellissier-Lush, 30, is one of eight Indigenous leaders who has been selected from across the country to make a 10-minute presentation, bringing insight into their study on a new relationship between Canada and First Nations, the Inuit and Metis.
“I am just trying to comprehend all of this,’’ said a clearly overwhelmed Pellessier-Lush (whose Mi’kmaq name is Gitbu Amalkewinu, meaning Eagle Dancer) when he spoke to The Guardian.
“I’m being given a platform to bring some theories and some concerns and ideas I have for Indigenous people on Prince Edward Island.’’
These Indigenous leaders will get a behind-the-scenes look at the inner working of Parliament and meet other Indigenous leaders from across the country.
Pellissier-Lush said he has always been driven to be a leader, to step up and become a role model for the two First Nations on P.E.I.
He is the manager of three community football teams and has taught many of the young people in the community. While he has a degree in sports and leisure management, Pellissier-Lush said he has never forgotten his teachings and the history of his culture.
“I am just trying to comprehend all of this. I’m being given a platform to bring some theories and some concerns and ideas I have for Indigenous people on Prince Edward Island.’’
-Richard Pellissier-Lush
Pellissier-Lush said he will consult with his mother, Julie, who works for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I., and elders before he finalizes exactly what he will talk to the Senate about.
He said there are serious common issues across the country — missing and murdered Indigenous women, drug and alcohol abuse, clean water and reconciliation — but he wants to localize his speech as much as possible.
He’s leaning towards talking about the importance between government and Indigenous families, especially opportunities for youth.
Right now, Pellissier-Lush said there are no opportunities for Indigenous youth to pursue, for example, careers in professional sports, acting or music.
“We need to create opportunities for youth that make them own it, that help them work a little harder, but we also need to support them in that sense,’’ he said.
Pellissier-Lush is also a writer, director and producer for Mi’kmaq Legends, the only Aboriginal theatre group in Atlantic Canada. For the show, he learned many words in Mi’kmaq, how to become a drum keeper and how to perform in opening ceremonies at various events and how to hoop dance.
“Our troop of actors are going to be launching a theatre program in Scotchfort in the next week or so, and we want to give youth those opportunities.’’
Pellissier-Lush has also performed in the past with the Confederation Centre of the Arts’ Young Company.
“It was a phenomenal, phenomenal experience for me, still one of the top five jobs in my entire life.’’
Pellissier-Lush wants to be a strong voice for Indigenous youth when he speaks to the Senate, to express the struggles that youth have.
“I’m very youth driven,’’ he said. “There are so many themes I could talk about, but I want to be really unique when I present my discussion.’’
