Lessons on humour’s healing power
It’s essential for all children and youths to have a positive self image — and no one knows that better than Annie Brass, the founder of Brass Enterprise.
The standup comic was one of the guest speakers at the Wapanacik Child and Family Services Youth Conference on Friday in Regina.
Brass shared her story of adversity with the 100 youth participants, who included youth clients from the Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services (YTC-CFS) along with some students from Regina high schools.
Brass spoke not only about suicide awareness and prevention, but about the healing power of humour.
A child of abuse, Brass first attempted suicide at the age of eight and her last attempt was when she was 22.
“I think humour saved me, because I had to see the situations in my life that were dark and negative,” said Brass. “I had to find some kind of light within that — and laughter.”
It’s been more than two decades since her last suicide attempt and she couldn’t be happier.
Brass now uses her story to inspire youths.
She said laughter can heal.
“It’s laughing with ourselves rather than at ourselves,” said Brass.
Candy Fox, a University of Regina film student, and Camilla Stonechild hosted a filmmaking workshop for youth in attendance.
The pair aired their short film Backroads at the event to not only share a story about overcoming abuse, but about setting a goal and working to achieve it.
Fox encouraged youth to find their passion and pursue it.
“For me as a youth, it was a big thing to find that one thing that I liked,” she said. “Now I’m doing it. And that is filmmaking and working in the performing arts.”
She understands how difficult things can be for young people because they are still trying to figure out who they are and what they want.
Lisa Cyr, family worker for Wapanacik CFS a branch of the YTC-CFS, said the goal of the organization is help children connect and build on their sense of identity.
The organization works with long-term and permanent wards of the ministry of Social Services.
“What we do is we try to promote that self-identity for those kids who are in care as well as helping them transition out of care,” said Cyr. “Helping them know who they are and (providing) that cultural portion if need be. So that they have the proper foundation once they are out of care.”
Wapanacik decided to host the conference to bring youth together in a fun environment while sharing stories of strength and commitment.
“We really focus on selfidentity and the importance of knowing who they are,” said Cyr.
She said some of the youth they work with have never been to their home communities and do not know their families.
Cyr said Wapanacik works with the young people to build those connections to community and their culture.
It’s not the only event planned for the youth. Next week a round dance is planned and at the end of the month a one-day conference is scheduled to showcase more positive First Nations role models.