The Coast Salish Youth Conference

Kw'umut Lelum aims to provide youth with the snuw'uylh (teachings), and contemporary information on topics related to youth interests or youth concerns. Youth are the heart beat of each family and community, and they will carry on the work of their Sulhween. One day they will be the holders of the Snuw'uyulh and will be turned to for guidance.

The Youth Conference focuses on both traditional and modern day culture. It is designed and implemented by a team consisting of youth from the nine communities, community resource workers, Kw'umut Lelum staff and supporting adults.

It is a time of celebration when youth visit with old friends, make new friends, socialize with relatives, meet with Sulhween, and learn values and skills from the variety of workshops they attend.

The youth held their Third Annual Youth Conference, "The Future is Yours", at the Chemainus First Nation Community and Elder Centre. The theme of the conference focused on " What education can do for you" and consisted of 30 different workshops on topics such as: dating, sexuality, cultural crafts, music, racism, sports, self-esteem, drugs & alcohol, creating a brighter future, indigenous games, public speaking, family violence, youth rights, genealogy, and leadership.

The youth conference is one of the places where the youth can make their voices heard! Kw'umut Lelum values the input of youth and commits to working closely with them in organizing their annual conference. Youth are encouraged to make their ideas known and Kw'umut Lelum will do their utmost to assist them in implementing their ideas.