September 2009 - Hot Topic

Solutions start with listening

by Marty Mako

My grandma used to say, "We are born with two ears and one mouth for a reason, because we should learn to listen twice as much as we talk." .

Maybe one day I'll discover that magical place where all grandparents must go -- a place where they learn how to amaze their grandkids by imparting profound wisdom in the simplest of ways. It's truly a unique gift. And to think, for so many years all I thought they did was give out hugs and cookies!

Active listening takes time. But I was reminded this summer while working with aboriginal youth in the Northwest Territories of how it is time well spent. The challenges facing Canada's aboriginal peoples are well documented. I would like to share a story of what happens when you stop focusing on problems and start focusing on creative solutions.

Wildflower in Yellowknife.

It all starts with listening. When you listen to these youth talk about their lives, the first thing that strikes you is the pain. Whether the cause is physical, mental or sexual abuse, alcoholism, addictions, family violence, poverty or a combination, the impact on the youth is the same -- pain. They carry it around every day like a mantle, often suffering in silence, without the words to explain it, the skills to cope or the opportunities to express themselves.

Couple that with peer pressure. These youths are immersed in a world where how you look is more important than how you think, where your net worth is more relevant than your self worth and success is measured by what you have instead of what you have to give.

Marty at the beach.

Fortunately there are ways we can make a difference. One effective method for giving marginalized youth a voice is through digital photography, known as Photovoice. It invites youth to explore personal and social issues from behind the lens of a camera. It's about empowerment and engagement, using new technologies and computer software they are already familiar with. It doesn't involve adults creating and delivering a program hoping to fix the problem.

Homeless man in Yellowknife.
There are many homeless people in Yellowknife. Their life consists of drinking and picking up cans and bottles.

That's not engagement -- engagement is listening to thoughts, feelings and ideas, then getting them involved in the process of what the final project will look like.

My role is giving topic ideas or themes they can explore, then engaging them in the process by choosing their own topics they are passionate about. The process is as important as the final project. It's not just what the youth create, but the skill building, increased self-esteem and opportunity for self-expression that happen along the way. As a grand finale, we have booked the theatre in Yellowknife for a free screening to premiere their projects. It's our hope that family, friends and people from across the community will celebrate their accomplishments and support their hard work.

Plane used to fight forest fires.
These planes are used to fight forest fires and hold over 2500L of water.

From coast to coast to coast, our youth are Canada's future. We're going to need every one of them to be free from pain and equipped with the skills necessary to perform their best if we intend to compete in a globalized world. Today's youth could be the most powerful generation in history. They have the technology, education and passion to end any problem they see -- whether poverty, hunger, disease or climate change, they will find solutions by working together in new and different ways, and acting as a 'we' generation instead of a 'me' generation.

I have witnessed a me-to-we movement gain momentum during my stay in Yellowknife. Seeds of kindness and compassion have been planted and continue to spread. As adults, we must help by continuing to educate, empower and engage -- providing them the tools to realize their full potential and improve our world.

Oh, and if my grandma were still with us, I think she'd offer one last piece of wisdom like, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Then she would give me a big hug and a cookie.