Now that's what I call Elders!!

On Saturday July 14, 2007...

Often the youth within our communities are looked down from the elders for the way they dress, the music they listen to, or they way they talk. It's the sign of the times, as popular culture moves, our communities and culture will also move in a different direction, which sometimes our elders have a difficult time grasping. What impresses me with the elders up in Waskaganish was their willingness to want to learn and appreciate the youth.

The conference organizers hosted an elder’s pageant to give the elders an opportunity to show their skills in way to bridge the gap with the youth. There were 4 elders that participated in the event, and the community loved it.

Here is Peter Moses, AKA Picato. Peter was telling me that he and my father went to school together in North Bay.

Here is Billy Steven, AKA Be Cool. He was crowned with first place in the event. He looks like a real hood, if you ask me. I love it!!

Here are all four contestants posing for the community before the show. From left to right is; Picato, 05, California Girl and Be Cool.

They were judged on the following: Fashion statement, best dancer and catwalk skills. The dancing competition was hilarious, it was so funny to see the elders shaking their booty's to some modern day hip-hop.

Now that's what I call elders! I love how they let their guards down to connect with the youth of the community.

The weather to turn bad as the competition started but people stuck around. Here we are staying dry in a wig-wam. I would say there were about 100 people there enjoying the show, all of which were staying warm in the 5 shelters.