In the Squamish Nation language their name means “to travel” and travel they do, both figuratively and literally.
The Squamish Nation Menkis Youth Group started 20 years ago after some teens from the nation approached Mara Williams, manager of Squamish Nation’s recreation department, asking for a group that mirrored what was offered to youth in the wider community.
“A group of youth came up to me and said ‘We hear about all of these youth groups that get to travel – like a band that gets to travel to wherever – we’d like to do something like this,’” Williams recalled from her office at Totem Hall late last week.
“The whole purpose of the Menkis group is I wanted to show the kids with a little bit of hard work and determination that they can do anything that they want to do.”
Garage sales and car wash fundraisers followed.
When the youth had raised enough to go on a trip they would decide on a location and head out.
Squamish’s Joyce Williams, who is Mara’s second cousin, was a part of the first Menkis group.
The best thing about the group was the “coming together with the other youth and working together,” she said. The original group was mostly boys and the trip they picked, Disneyland, she didn’t want to go on, Joyce recalled. But 20 years later she makes a point to go out and support Menkis events.
“A lot of our youth would not have the opportunity to do such trips without the group… It is so good for them,” she said.
The leadership group currently boasts 13 youth. Membership is not for the faint of heart.
Participants must make a 10-month commitment to the group and sign a contract stating they will meet a long list of obligations that were created by previous members: Volunteer for community events and workshops, attend weekly meetings; organize and work all fundraising events, such as garage sales, yard clean ups, bake sales and movie night concessions, all while maintaining 90 per cent attendance at school and passing all classes.
On top of this, they also host three major fundraising events throughout the year including the upcoming inaugural Moonlight and Mistletoe.
The free, winter-themed event is on Nov. 25 starting at 7 p.m. at Totem Hall.
Activities include demonstrations, artists, musicians, guest speakers, a children’s activity table and vendors selling their various wares.
The other two fundraising events the youth must host are Dinner and Student Auction and Dining in the Dark.
Squamish Nation spokesperson and Coun. Chris Lewis said the group is a source of pride for the First Nation. “Our youth members of the Menkis group learn many valuable skills such as fundraising skills, time management, commitment, community service which will empower them to become the future leaders of our Nation,” he said.
Williams said she hopes more of the general public come out to Squamish Nation events hosted at Totem Hall.
“I think there is a gray area when it comes to Totem Hall and the public,” she said. “We try and open our programs to as many community members as possible, not just the Squamish Nation members.”
Some events and meetings are Nation members only, she added, but those on the Squamish Valley Recreation Facebook page are usually everyone-welcome events and advertised as such, she said.
Money the youth raise through their community fundraising events goes toward their year-end trip. Last year the group went on a cultural exchange to Hawaii.
They were hosted at the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center, which supports and promotes Hawaiian cultural values and practices.
“It was definitely an experience of a lifetime for these youth,” Williams said.
Over their week-long stay the youth got to go outrigger canoeing, learn how to navigate by the stars and hula, and how they are trying to bring back their traditional foods by creating taro root farms. The Menkis youth helped weed and plant.
For more information on the group or any of their upcoming community events contact Mara Williams at 604-892-5166.
