First Nations Voice

PAGE 8 • APRIL 2014 Celebrating its 18th birthday this year, the annual Vision Quest Conference & Trade Show takes place May 13 to 15 at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg. The event prides itself on educating, enlightening, and entertaining – three things it does very well. "Vision Quest has something for everyone," says Kim Bullard, Chair of Vision Quest Conferences Inc. "We educate through our workshops and trade show, we enlighten through our dynamic speakers, and we entertain through our singers, dancers, and performers." Vision Quest has earned an extremely positive national profile and a highly respected reputation. Each year, the event attracts a wide range of delegates including entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, community organizations, and youth. It also attracts some very accomplished presenters. "One of the highlights of our program each year is our keynotes. Not only do our delegates enjoy listening to the keynote presentations, but also appreciate the chance to meet these talented and inspiring individuals one-on-one. This has become a really special and integral component of our event." This year's keynotes include Michelle Thrush, a Gemini- Award winning actor who has been working professionally in film, television and theatre for over 20 years. A few of her current projects are Blackstone on APTN, and Arctic Air on CBC. Stefan Richard is a father, speaker, and former professional wrestler who lost everything and nearly his life to the horrors of drug addiction. He will share his story of meteoric rise as a professional wrestler, incredible fall, and his eventual redemption. Our third keynote presenter is comedian and motivational speaker Don Burnstick. The youngest of 15 children, coupled with growing up on the reserve, taught Don a variety of means of defending himself, not the least of which became his use of humour. Advice with the Business Experts is a new Trade Show feature in partnership with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, which will give delegates the opportunity to book half-hour consultations with business development and management experts. Another exciting initiative at Vision Quest is Dragon's Quest, a business plan competition in partnership with the Aboriginal Business Service Network. Entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, with the winners announced at the Gala Banquet and awarded $5000. Other event highlights are a movie screening presented by the Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival, and the always popular closing night Gala Banquet. This year, Ryan McMahon will entertain, one of the most dynamic Aboriginal comedians working in Canada and the US today. Each year, the Vision Quest Conference & Trade Show designates an Honourary Chair who exemplifies the qualities of a true leader. This year's Honourary Chair is David McLeod, CEO of Native Communications Inc., which operates NCI FM and Streetz FM. Vision Quest Conferences Inc. is a community based charitable organization formed through partnerships with five Community Futures Development Corporations (CedarLakeCFDC,DakotaOjibwayCFDC,KitayanCFDC, North Central CFDC, Southeast CFDC). The desired outcome is building capacity, inspiring new initiatives, and encouraging success in Aboriginal communities. For more information about Vision Quest, or to register, visit www.vqconference.com. The early bird deadline to save $80 on delegate registration is April 11. Debra Richardson was 17 years old when she was last seen. Debra travelled fromBritishColumbia in the summer of 1972 to visit a family member in Gimli, Manitoba. Debra was last seen during the last two weeks of October 1972. She was dropped off by a family member at the corner of Hwy 8 and PR 231 in what is now the RM of Gimli. Debra was going to hitchhike into Winnipeg to visit friends. She has not been seen or heard from again by her family and friends. Debraisapproximately5'3"andCaucasian. At the time of her disappearance she was described as 115 lbs with long blonde hair; she may have been pregnant. Project Devote, the integrated task force of the Winnipeg Police Service and the Royal CanadianMountedPolicefocusingonmissing and murdered exploited persons, is actively investigating Debra's disappearance. Project Devote wants to hear from you. If you have information that can help with this investigation, call investigators on the Project Devote tipline at 1-888-673-3316. If you want to remain anonymous, you can call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Project Devote WHERE IS DEBRA RICHARDSON? Stefan Richard Don Burnstick What would it look like if you used your talent and vision to illustrate the distinctiveness and diversity of Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples? Every year, APTN invites all youth aged 12 – 17 years, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to design and draw a flag that symbolizes and expresses their pride of Aboriginal culture. Participants are also welcome to integrate into their designs what National Aboriginal Day means to them. Start shaking out your paints, crayons, pencil crayons or even markers. Go colourful, go bold! Once you've completed your drawing, mail your gem of a design to APTN. The network asks that your package be received by May 6 to ensure it makes it to the judging round. The national contest winner and a parent/guardian will be jetted away to Winnipeg to receive a cash prize of $500, awarded accommodations and be invited to take part in APTN's Aboriginal Day Live&Celebration!Theday-longcelebrationfeaturesanabundanceof family-friendly activities and an evening of unparalleled performance with some of the biggest names in Aboriginal entertainment. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2014. You could also help out your pals and classmates at school. If your winning flag is part of a school project, your school also receives $750 to purchase educational materials! The national winning flag will be elevated and displayed above APTN's headquarters in downtown Winnipeg. All other entries will be proudly displayed in the front window of APTN's headquarters symbolizing the distinctiveness and diversity of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. Formoreinformationabouttheofficialcontestrulesandsubmission specifications visit: ADLflagcontest.com APTN ASKS YOUTH FOR DESIGNS Michelle Thrush Don Burnstick

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