Kendra Slack is a recent Medicine Hat High School graduate who is looking forward to a bright future. - PHOTO BY JOLYNN PARENTEAU
Kendra Slack greets parents and young visitors at the door of the Miywasin Children’s Centre. Her dark eyes light up in welcome as she introduces herself as the new Child Support Receptionist. Slack describes herself as “kind, approachable, and here to help. I’m their friend.”
Recently graduated from Medicine Hat High School, this role is her first adult job, though it’s not an unfamiliar setting.
“I have had a huge history with the Miywasin Centre since I was little,” says Slack. “I used to do Métis jigging from when I was two years old to 12. Almost every day we had a dance class here at Miywasin. We learned the Red River Jig, the Orange Blossom and Broom Dances, but the Broom Dance was for the boys,” Slack explains with a smile. “We used to perform at The Metis Hills Are Alive Festival, and travel to Fort Walsh.” She recalls learning the partnered Sash dances and the Butterfly Dance, but the Heel-Toe Polka is her favourite. “It gave me all the energy and made me feel like I was part of something with that dance,” she reminisces.
Slack, 18, has First Nations Cree heritage on her maternal side, and her father is Métis. She recognizes there are challenges Indigenous youth of her generation often face.
“Being told you can’t be who you are, being discriminated against… I think the Western world has really impacted Indigenous teenagers. Some have grown up in foster care with non-Indigenous parents, and it has to be hard growing up not knowing who you are.”
In her teenage years, Slack stayed connected to culture with fun Indigenous school groups. She grew close with her maternal Auntie Maxine, who was much like a second mother to her and role modeled traditional beading and attendance at powwows. It was Slack’s father who recently encouraged her to reconnect with Miywasin Friendship Centre. She looks forward to new opportunities to immerse herself deeper into Indigenous culture while working at Miywasin.
Considering her career aspirations, working at an early learning centre is an excellent opportunity for Slack.
“I want to go into a practice working with children, that would be a really good fit for me,” she says. “The thing that I do is support children and take care of them.”
Slack’s own personal growth stands as a testament to the importance of nurturing children’s interests. She began figure skating at the age of six and has formed friendships on the ice.
“I skate three times a week with the Redcliff Skating Club and won a team gold medal in a competition this past year,” Slack shares proudly. “Our coach is (retired) Olympic skater Rudi Swiegers, who has really helped me with improving my skating skills a lot. Being on the ice I feel free, I can get all my emotions out.”
Creative writing is another outlet for Slack.
“I like to write coming-of-age novels, writing about my own thoughts and feelings through story,” she explains. “Somehow I think that my life is like a story that would be very good for somebody to read.”
She hopes to pursue writing in the future and looks forward to college in a few years, perhaps to study as a librarian and work in the children’s section.
A painting of a young First Nations woman relaxing in nature near a waterfall hangs above Slack’s desk; it is easy to imagine how such an image can inspire a young person to dream of changing their surroundings to such a peaceful setting. Slack does hope her path will lead her to live in B.C. one day, close to nature.
“Being in nature, hearing water, makes me so calm, away from the world,” she says.
More immediately, moving into her own apartment next year is a tangible goal for a young adult just beginning to find her way in the world.
Slack’s message to her generation is encouraging. “It’s not too late to discover who you are. I’m 18 years old and I’m learning. We have all the time in the world.”
The future awaits her.
JoLynn Parenteau is a Métis writer out of Miywasin Friendship Centre. Column feedback can be sent to jolynn.parenteau@gmail.com.
