Fourteen students from high schools around Eeyou/Eenou Istchee brought their courage, their confidence, and their speeches to Waswanipi for the Cree School Board's Regional Public Speaking Competition.
Topics ranged from the importance of speaking many languages, to the legalization of marijuana. And they didn't stop there.
Julianne Mark of Eastmain spoke on the question of fulfilling "our ancestral expectation of taking care of Mother Earth." Ryan Jolly of Waswanipi, speaking in Cree, explored the topic of high school drop outs.
The Regional Public Speaking Competition is held annually. Students participate in one of the three language streams and qualify for the regional contest by competing at their home school against their friends and classmates.
