American Indian youths rally in pride

Shana Pete, 16, is tired of being stereotyped.

"People are saying the alcoholism and all the drugs going around, Indians have a high chance of getting addicted," said Pete, a sophomore at Canyon View High School in Cedar City.

On Friday, Pete was among more than 600 Native American youths who gathered in Salt Lake City to hear a different message — "Just to be proud of who you are."

The "Peace Through Harmony and Balance" conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center was a first-time conference organized by Gaylene Hatch, director of West Wind Seminars in the Ogden area, and had several community sponsors.

Hatch said the idea was to have a gathering for youths so they can "look around and say, I'm not alone." It also lets young people hear from successful Native Americans. That's important, Hatch said, so the youths will know, "you can do it, too."

Howard Rainer, administrator of the Native American Education Outreach Programs at Brigham Young University, told the young people, "now is the time" to use their talents.

"When Native Americans make the honor roll in any school ... you cannot stop them," he said. "In this room if 100 of you make the decision to make better grades and raise your sights ... you will become a powerhouse."

Rainer also stressed the importance of encouraging others, and sharing, telling the youths that as they attend high school and college, "You are either going to push us forward or push us back."

Representatives of a group of 30 Blanding youths who started their own chocolate company attended the conference as an example of success.

Tya Manygoats, 14, is production manager for Lickity Split Chocolate Co. Her job involves training others to make chocolate, minimizing waste, filling orders and making sure everyone is working.

Motivating others to work can be difficult, she says, but "I want to stay in this business as long as I can." So far, she says, it's helped her learn responsibility and respect, something she'll need for her ultimate goal, becoming a veterinarian.

The conference was unique for Ariel Delong, 17, of Cedar City, who said she'd never seen so many successful Native Americans in one room.

Delong wants to go to college and become a professional choreographer so she can "combine dances, add a native" influence.

"It boosted me a lot," Delong said of the conference. "It's inspiring you to do it."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com