Wacey Little Light - National Youth Panelist
Shari Narine
Cando Contributor
“I aspire to inspire,” said Wacey Little Light. It’s a lofty goal for the 19-year-old Siksika First Nation member.
“I don't know if I quite inspire anyone yet,” he added. “Yet shooting for the moon is something I've always done and I simply hope that more youth following me will continue to do the same.”
It’s hard not to be inspired by Little Light, who is in his third year at Mount Royal University in Calgary and in his second year working towards his Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership Bachelor's degree.
This past year, Little Light won the Deanna Cardinal Memorial Award, which recognizes positive role models in the Aboriginal student community at MRU. He was also the recipient of the Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award from the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, which is given to youth who demonstrate leadership in the community, display a strong desire and commitment to achieve educational goals, support and encourage others to continue in their academic endeavours and encourage and participate in cross-cultural activities.
Little Light’s enthusiasm for the outdoors is obvious not only in his schooling, but in his employment. He has worked as a backpacking field instructor for Outward Bound Canada, taking youth on multi-day backpacking trips in Kananaskis Country. He would like to expand the experience to include kayaking and dogsledding expeditions. Outward Bound Canada is an outdoor youth program that gives youth the experience of outdoor adventures across Canada.
Little Light’s career goal is a mix of his love for the outdoors and his love for his culture. He wants to open his own Blackfoot Outdoor Cultural Learning Camp.
“I also live in a camper on the reserve so I spend most of my time outdoors. I just enjoy being out and active and creating a close connection to Mother Nature. I enjoy the calmness and clarity with being involved with the environment and hope to maintain a good relationship through the duration of my life,” he said.
Little Light is “honoured and grateful” for his nomination by Shawna Morning Bull, who is business manager for the Community Futures Treaty 7 group and Alberta director for Cando, to Cando’s National Youth Panel.
What he wants for youth is something he is willing to work hard to help them achieve.
“All I want is for the people younger than me to have more and more resources and opportunities for themselves to take,” said Little Light.
