LEADING BY EXAMPLE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER MICHAEL REDHEAD CHAMPAGNE addresses the audience during the 42nd annual Hamilton Community Prayer Breakfast at LIUNA Station Tuesday morning. The annual event is held to promote understanding and cooperation across all social groups and communities. Close to 700 people from local organizations along with students from local schools filled the Grand Ballroom for the event. Champagne spoke about his motivation to start Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO!) in his hometown of Winnipeg. The youth movement in the city’s North End is designed to empower aboriginal youth to help them escape the cycle of violence and drugs there. Champagne spoke about the importance of encouraging young people to recognize and share their “gifts” with their communities and to keep pushing to lead by example and make a difference. “If you truly believe in the work that you do, you will not let barriers stop you,” he said.