Inspiration. That's one focus of a conference taking place in Lac La Biche this week. Another focus is rebounding from tough times.
Inspiration. That's one focus of a conference taking place in Lac La Biche this week. Another focus is rebounding from tough times. Without one, the other can't happen, says one of the keynote speakers at the Community Strong Empowering Together two-day conference taking place October 16 and 17 at Portage College.
"You can live a life full of depression if you want to, or you can change your position by changing yourself and learning to love who you were truly destined to be. Nothing is impossible and nothing is out of reach, only you can put a limit on what u need and deserve in this life," said Mike Smith, a 28-year old Saskatchewan-based motivational speaker who knows the pitfalls — and escape routes — for many of life's challenges from personal experience.
Scott has presented to thousands of people in over 270 communities across North America. He spent the first 10 years of his life in and out of the foster care system being placed from home to home, states his own biography. Falling easily into the cycles of addictions, Scott was incarcerated at the age of 12 for nearly two years. His teenage years were filled with more addictions, depression and suicidal thoughts. He became a single father at the age of 19 and tragically lost his mother at the age of 23. He has faced numerous struggles in his short 28 years of life; his story is the story of so many other First Nations and non-indigenous people who have lived in a dysfunctional setting.
"... be kind to yourself and have faith in a brighter day! Life is what you make of it," said Scott who joins speakers
Kim Dechaine, a mental health survivor and expert in handling life transitions, as well Stephanie Harpe, an actress, singer, advocate and motivational speaker.
Actress, songwriter, advocate and survivor Stephanie Harpe will be in Lac La Biche this week for a two-day conference.
Harpe, a member of the Fort Mckay First Nation,is a domestic abuse survivor, and former addict.
Stephanie is an actress on the award-winning Canadian television series Blackstone, and has been a casting agent for her own business, Shapeshifters Talent. She is also the lead singer and songwriter of The Stephanie Harpe Experience, and has opened for Dwight Yoakam, Blue Rodeo, Buck Cherry, Streetheart and many more big names.
She is also the daughter of a murdered Aboriginal woman, and has been advocating for murdered and missing Indigenous women, presenting at rallies and during the nation-wide commission inquiry. She has presented her difficult, but inspiring story to audiences across North America.
Along with the keynote speakers, the two-day conference will feature networking opportunities for community members, students and professionals from across the region. Topics of break-out sessions include art therapy, mental health boosts, and information on domestic abuse in the home and workplace.
Everyone welcome
The Lac La Biche conference falls under the Community Strong Empowering Together banner www.facebook.com/communitystrongempoweringtogether/ of the Lac La Biche Canadian Friendship Centre, Portage College and Lac La Biche County.
Tickets for the event are $30 for both days, and include a lunch. Ticket are available from the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Center [email protected] or Lac La Biche County.
