Speaking, is it in you?

Billy Diamond
One of the few first nation speakers that I admire.

Anyone can stand in front of crowd (however scary that may be for people) but a very few can hold captive an audience.

A skill like this does not happen over night, it requires many efforts of trail and error. I still recall when I was in highschool my father, who was the chief at the time, wanted me to speak on his behalf at a community function. I agreed, mainly because I could never say no to my father. He was out of town and he said all I would have to do is read from his fax that he was going to send before the event. I was sure at the time that he was not going to send the fax and I would be set free, because I really didn't want to do it. So on the evening of the event, I get home from school and what's on the table? The friggin' fax, damn shit, I thought. That's so Moose Factory slang by the way.

The fax is about 5 pages long, typical chief stuff, nothing major. So I read it over until I know I can read it smoothly, about 56 times. I'm ready for you crowd, please be small.

What the.....the crowd is not a crowd it's an army platoon! Now I'm nervous, actually I'm freaking out. I think to myself all I have to do is read, that's it. About midway through the program my uncle Wilbert Mcloed, the MC, calls me up to speak on behalf of my father. The crowd claps, I guess most of the people think it's cute that I'm speaking for him. I start off okay, I'm just reading and then....

I start to shake! First my hands, no big deal I thought it's not that obvious. People don't really notice it, at least not yet. Then my legs started shaking, now people can really start to pay attention, all for the wrong reasons. They are not listening because they are talking and pointing at me (with their lips I might add...another up north thing). Then my voice starts to crack, now I just want to be man up and run out the door. But I can't, I promised my father that I would do this.

That wasn't the worst part though, about 3/4 way though this horrible experience where I'm shaking like worse then a shaking tent ceremony my uncle Wilbert sneeks up behind me and hold my knees together. That was so embarrassing. So now the crowd is laughing, and I quickly rush through the rest of the speech and sit down next to my mother. I recall wondering what she would say to me, what lie would she say to me to make me feel better? All she said was, "you looked nervous." All I felt like saying was "duh." But I have to much respect for my mother to say things like that to her. I just sat there with a really hot face, that's usually a sign for me that I am really embarrassed.

I'm happy I didn't give up, I kept working at it. Sometimes it would go good, other times I would do great and other times I would do really bad. This was a blessing in disguise, my parents gave me a gift that day. My father gave me a opportunity to look at how I can grow and my mother didn't lie and give me a false sense of success. I am so thankful and I love them even more, which is a heck of a lot.

There are not many really good speakers out there in our communities. There are a few first nation speakers that I really admire, but not too many to be honest. Think about it, how many speakers have you heard that has really moved you, made you think and completely captivated you? Not to many I'm guessing. I'm not saying that I'm an inspirational speaker, I'm trying to develop into a great one, right now I'm good. The best speakers share the same secret to success, they have worked at it, they have nurtured their craft, they have failed and learned from it.

Can you become a great speaker? That's for you to answer, I think so.

But you won't unless you try.

What makes a great speaker? Please post.