THE ROUND TABLECATAPULT LEADERSHIP SOCIETY ISSUE NO. 8 - MARCH 2013

INSPIRING - INFORMING - CONNECTING

Mika Francis (’12)

Acadia First Nation

Sonny Morrison-Doucette

Potlotek First Nation(’09)

Kayla Bernard (’11)

Indian Brook First Nation

Kassidy Bernard (’12)

We’koqma’q First Nation

‘Idle No More’ is an ongoing protest movement. The aborginal peoples have held numerous rallies and marches here in NS and across Canada, including Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike. I have to admit, I didn’t make the effort to understand the issues ... until 2012 catapulter Mika Francis posted a youtube video on our facebook page.

I’ve now learned the main focus is on sovereignty issues (Bill C-27 imposes standards on First Nations governments that exceed those for other governments) … and Bill C-45 which removes environmental protections of subscribed waterways, many of which pass through traditional First Nations land and put them at risk. Mika says, “The rallies are peaceful and aim to create awareness. After learning about all this and joining in the movement, I have been so inspired, not just by Chief Spence but by our people as a whole. What people don’t realize is that it doesn’t just affect First Nations, it affects all of Canada. I think this movement has started a fire in the hearts of Canadians all over.”

At Catapult, we discover how much we’re all alike despite where we live, what we look like, or how we speak. But it’s important to celebrate what makes each of us unique too. So I called upon our First Nation catapulters and asked them to tell us about their culture.

Kayla’s favorite tradition is the food! “Moose and dear meat in winter, Indian tacos in summer, bread my godfather makes on Sundays, and bannock on special occasions. Food has always been a great way for my family to connect. I love it when we all get together and tell stories.” Mika’s favorite tradition is the singing and dancing. “It’s more than just a unique representation of our inner selves, it heals and strengthens the spirit. Even just to witness it makes me feel happier and lighter inside. It gives me a sense of pride to know something so beautiful carries in my blood.” Kassidy appreciates her culture’s creativity. “With traditional creations such as regalias, headdresses, and quill baskets, it’s obvious our ancestors knew how to use their resources in clever ways. I love how all these wonderful traditions were passed down between generations for so long.”

Sonny’s favorite cultural tradition is nqani’kuo’m (sweats). My friends and family take part in these ceremonies every few days. It’s a way to cleanse our mind, body and spirit. A sweat lodge is a dome made of12 alder trees with carpets on top to hold in the heat. We make a fire

with lava rocks (which we call grandfather out of respect) and heat them until they turn red. We use pitchforks to put them in the middle of the sweat-house and put secret medicines on them. Everyone comes in, we close the flap door and start the 4-part ceremony. First round is prayer and song, 2nd round we pray one after the other, 3rd is a song/chant and 4th is a closing prayer with another song. It can take up to an hour or more.”

The Mi'kmaq are the founding people of Nova Scotia. Today, we have 13 Mi'kmaq Nations and 34 reserve locations. Kassidy says, “Belonging to a First Nation community means that we are all connected to an important part of history, as well as the future. Our culture and presence affects everyone here. We rely on each other, and we are proud of our ancestors for surviving such hardships to make it possible for us to exist here today.” Kayla says, “We are strong people who have survived so much and even though we haven’t always been dealt the best cards, we’re still here, standing up for our people, our rights, our families and our futures.” Belonging to a First Nation means a lot to Sonny too. “Knowing where I came from and where my family came from makes me proud.” Mika loves being on the reservation. “Seeing elders out for a walk, or kids playing together makes me happy. After all the years of discrimination, we are still here, going strong. Nothing gives me more hope than that.”

Mika does not like her community to be stereotyped as drunks, lazy, uneducated and abusive, and says that couldn’t be further from the truth. “We are no different from the next people. Sure we have some bad apples - we are only human. I, along with the majority of my native friends, plan on going to university. We plan on making a change.” Kayla wants everyone to know that she doesn’t look for handouts or special treatment. “But I want my people to be able to lead better lives so their families can thrive. I’ve learned there is so much beyond the small reservations and I want every native youth to know this too. But the opportunities aren’t going to come if funding keeps getting cut. People need to stand on equal ground to be treated equally. Right now, native people are not on even ground. We’re working towards it, but we need help. Like anyone would.” Kassidy agrees. “It’s not fun to be in a minority group that is still on uneven ground with those around us. But with the support of others, it can be possible.” Mika believes this generation is going to be the difference. “After all, we ARE the seventh generation!”

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

by Jane Roy

* * * * * * * * * PROFILES * * * * * * * * *

CATAPULTERS IN THE NEWS

TIFFANY NICKERSON - 2010 TESSA SMITH - 2012THOMAS CROSS - 2011

School: Sir John A. MacdonaldCool Fact: I’ve volunteered at the Youth Project for 16 months Future Plans: screen arts????Favorite Catapult Memory: The dance!!Favorite Quote: You have all the weapons you need. Now fight!

School: Drumlin HeightsFuture Plans: NSCC for early childhood education. Then open my own daycare. Favorite Quote: Live like there’s no tomorrow. Favorite Catapult Memory: Fun with my roommate!

School: St. Mary’s AcademyCool Fact: I try to keep a positive outlook, even in tough situations.Favorite Memory: Mud sliding!Future Plans: Nursing (St FX)What Inspires Me: My friends and family inspire me to be a better person through support & motivation.

Alexander Fraser (2011) will be representing Nova Scotia in Karate at nationals in Toronto. He worked hard for 3 years to reach this goal, and says that with lots of determination and pride in yourself you can accomplish anything!

Jordan Burke (2010) was selected to join a 3-week youth mission in Rio de Janeiro this summer, during World Youth Day.

From 2010, Kelsey Clarey was accepted to UPEI to study anthropology and history, Rachelle Garand was accepted to Acadia for Business Administration and Navarre Hebb was accepted to Dalhousie for engineering..

Eimhear Lynch (2012) is making great strides in her efforts to make Pink Day a national event in Ireland. Her story was featured in ‘The Journal’, an Irish news website and she promotes the cause through her ‘Pink Day Initiative’ facebook page.

Martha Barrett (2010) is coaching people to run the Bluenose marathon and Corey McNamara is training to run the full marathon himself !

Travis Price (speaker) and Monica Njoku (reunion director) were both named one of Halifax’s Top 20-somethings for 2012!

Kayla Bernard (2011) attended a conference on social enterprise and helped raise $275 for Kids Help Phone.

Allison Smith (2011) was awarded the Silver ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ Award & Meaghan Bartlett (2011) is working towards hers.

Ian Farrell (2012) started a fundraising group to raise money for various world and local charities. So far, they’ve raised $2,000 through bake sales, craft sales, and gift baskets. A representative from World Vision is visiting them this winter to speak and they will be presenting a donation to fill a stable in Africa.

Samara Flueck (2009) reached the finals of a ‘gaming & animation art competition’ with her fantasy texture pack for Minecraft.

Samrana Elahi’s (2011) JA company is leading an anti-bullying march in Sydney this winter and selling ‘No Assumptions’ tshirts as a way to spread the message.

Robyn Dearman & Sandrico Provo (2009) have applied to be Counselors at Bearskin Meadow Camp (for diabetic youth) in California. (Good luck!!!)

CATAPULTERS ON THE COURT / ICE (may not be complete)

Basketball:• Colton Beattie (’11)• Mehdi Abdulrahman (’10)• Charmaine Moore-Turner (’10)• Colynda Pelley (’11)• Jamie Lee MacIsaac (’11)• Chelsea Slawter-Wright (’12)• Brett Reede (’11)

Hockey:• Kassidy Bernard (’12)• Mitchell Walker (’10)• Corey McNamara

(Referee) (’11)

Curling:• Navarre Hebb (’10)• Donna Marshall (’12)

• Jessica Balser (’12)• Jenna Johnson (’12)• Meghan Martin (’12)• Drew Skidmore (’12)• James Rhyno (’11)

Karate:• Alexander Fraser (’11)Badminton:• Elizabeth Lowe (’12)• Kassidy Bernard (’12)

Let us know if you have news to share!

Introducing Catapult Plus!Since our inaugural camp in 2009, we realized we wanted to do more to help our Catapulters be their very best. Why? Because you totally inspire us .. and we truly believe you can make Nova Scotia stronger!! But, our limited resources restricted us to what we could do. During the past couple of years, we developed a strategic plan, raised more money, and hired Lori Barker. And in January 2013, we introduced ... CATAPULT PLUS!

All Catapulters in grades 10 and 11 received a package with the option to commit to this exciting new program. (If you didn’t receive yours – call us!) We’re excited that 70 Catapulters signed up!! We expect the participation rate to be 90%+ in future years when it’ll be offered right after camp.

For you older Catapulters who are wondering what it’s all about, here’s a quick summary. Some of our new services will be available to you too! The program is designed to reinforce the lessons learned at camp and continually build on everyone’s natural leadership talents.  We now offer:

1) a mentorship program to provide guidance with post-secondary choices, applications, scholarships and loans, etc.

2) an employment network to provide guidance and opportunities to help those seeking part-time employment, resume writing, interview skills, etc.

3) a new interactive website to facilitate these activities and provide the support you need to reach your goals, etc. (coming soon!)

Those who signed up also get to come back to Acadia for a new, 4-day summer conference. This will replace the former reunion weekend and will resemble our original camp with great speakers, loads of fun activities, and familiar faces. Like Kevin Duffie, Camp Director! But it’ll focus more on specific tools you need to succeed .. like public speaking and conflict management. While the new summer conference is not open to older Catapulters, it does offer an opportunity for our alumni to participate as Junior Counsellors!  (Classes of 2009 and 2010 should contact us if interested!!)

So why didn’t everyone sign up? Well, its because we asked for a commitment - to show us they are putting our leadership lessons into action. The ‘scariest’ part is the requirement to lead a ‘community service project’ and then report on it at the conference. While this might sound like a lot of work … many of you are already doing it, or you are participating in something where you just need to step up and take a lead role. The project can be big or small, done alone or with others, in school or in your neighbourhood or even online, it’s completely up to you. And it isn’t about the results so much – it’s about the effort and the experience. Our objective is to challenge you on something we know you are capable of – and to give you the joy that comes from knowing you made a difference by helping someone else, no matter how big or small. No one should feel intimidated that their project won’t be as big or successful as someone else’s … we all have different situations, resources, talents, challenges, experiences. You set your own benchmark .. and we’re here for support, as is your whole catapult family. As long as you do your best and learn from this valuable leadership experience, then your project is a success.

So stay tuned for the unveiling of our new website. Support each other on the new Catapult Plus facebook group. Share your project ideas. And we’ll see most of you again in August!!

Catapult Plus Summer Conference

August 12 to 15, 2013Acadia University

Book your calendar now!

Caylin Chisholm and Ava Sturm (both 2012) met up again at their

regional NSSSA conference!

How to decorate a

wall!

What did the mermaid wear to math class?

an Algae-bra

Here’s a thought.....Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?... Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine. It's not just in some of us ... it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we subconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

Useful Links

1. www.kidshelpphone.ca

2. www.itgetsbetter.org

3. nova-scotia.jacan.org

4. www.nsssa-acadiau.ca

5. www.catapultcamp.ca/alumni

Moving? Send us your new address! We don’t want to

lose you. CONTACT INFO 902.830.5704 catapult@eastlink.ca lori@catapultcamp.com

A LETTER FROM KEVIN DUFFIEHello Catapulters! I hope that everyone is settling into 2nd semester after a successful first. As we make our way through the depths of winter, it is important to make time to take care of yourself physically and mentally. It is easy to get distracted with TV, computers, phones, etc. and not take time to "unplug". Finding time to relax will help you stay mentally and physically fresh - and you’ll find that some of your best ideas come to you in these moments. So do it! Unplug, relax, enjoy a hot pocket, you won't regret it (except maybe the hot pocket). To all those who signed up for Catapult Plus, I can't wait to see you in a few months to spend some time catching up and learning more together.

~ Kevin  THE ROUND TABLE was named with Catapult’s medieval theme in mind. King Arthur insisted on having his faithful knights seated at a round table where everyone was treated equally and had an equal voice. Use your voice and send us your submissions for the next newsletter!

SCHOOL SUPPORT GROUPS

Last  Fall,  Catapult  introduced  a  new  concept  suggested  by  Abby  Jollymore  (2011).  Catapulters  at  the  same  high  school  can  get  together  and  meet,  support  each  other,  work  on  leadership  exercises  ..  whatever  they  want.  It’s  completely  student  led.  Workbooks  were  sent  to  each  high  school  with  3  or  more  students.  (If  you’re  wondering  where  yours  is,  call  us!)  We’re  sJll  working  on  an  online  format  for  schools  with  only  1  or  2  students.  The  group  at  Sackville  High  has  embraced  the  idea  and  is  meeJng  regularly,  with  each  person  taking  turns  organizing  their  meeJngs.    

Liam  says  they  meet  every  two  weeks,  at  lunch  for  50  minutes,  in  a  lounge  with  couches  and  a  microwave.  “It’s  a  great  place  to  chill  and  do  our  meeJngs  …  which  is  definitely  helpful  if  you  want  to  have  a  successful  group.  We  do  liSle  acJviJes  out  of  the  handbook  that  we  were  given  and  it’s  great  because  it’s  just  us  pracJcing  our  leadership  skills  by  playing  games.  It’s  definitely  the  best  way  I  spend  my  lunches  and  I  look  forward  to  it  every  week  as  a  way  to  unwind  and  have  fun  with  people  I  know  and  like.”

The  biggest  challenge  is  geVng  everybody  together.  But  aSendance  has  been  good  and  they'll  even  go  through  the  halls  to  find  people  if  they're  missing.  “I  feel  our  group  works  because  we  don't  just  treat  each  other  as  group  members,  we’ve  become  real  friends  and  we  talk  outside  of  our  Catapult  meeJngs  too.  We  all  get  along  excellently”,  says  Charlie.  

The  Sackville  group  wants  other  schools  to  know,  “Don’t  make  it  harder  then  it  needs  to  be.  Just  start  small,  with  acJviJes  in  the  booklet  and  go  from  there.  And  -­‐  if  ANY  Catapulters  are  lonely  or  don’t  think  they  have  enough  people,  maybe  we  can  all  get  together  and  host  a  big  group  session.  SHS  would  love  to,  so  if  you're  close  by  (Millwood,  CPA  or  Lockview)  come  join  us.  (If  you're  interested,  message  Liam  on  Facebook.)

Kylie  adds,  “We  are  a  strong  group  of  leaders.  We  don't  just  care  for  each  other  in  our  group  but  also  share  with  our  other  school  peers.  Every  meeJng  there's  always  something  new  we  learn.  I've  grown  to  love  these  members  of  our  catapult  group  and  thank  them  for  being  an  amazing  2nd  family  to  me.”

                                                                                 submi'ed  by  ...  Liam  Power,  Cassidie  Delaney  and  Ben  Deal  (2010),  Charlie  Andrea  (2011),  Brady  Lindsay  and  Kylie  Davison  (2012)

!ey said it on Facebook:

A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor! Sarah MacDougall (‘11)

A ship in port is safe, but that'snot what ships are built for!

Tony Griffin (’12 Soar)