Two Essex County youth describe experiences at “Youth to Youth” conference
- Ron Giofu
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Two youth from Essex County went to the Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) Youth to Youth program’s conference and came back to tell of their experiences.
Asher Soucie from Amherstburg and Liv Scratch from Leamington were the Rotary Super District 6400 youth representatives at the recent conference at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. The met with Rotarians at the McGregor Community Centre last Wednesday night with the presentation hosted by the Rotary Club of Tecumseh-Lakeshore, the Rotary Club of Essex and the Rotary Club of Windsor-Wide.
The Youth to Youth (Y2Y) is a way to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 62 to 66 and offers a curriculum led by Indigenous educators, educating youth about residential schools, treaties and the historical and contemporary contributions of Indigenous Peoples to Canada.
HIP is dedicated to, on an annual basis, advancing Indigenous education and nurturing the youth’s capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect.
Soucie admitted he was very nervous heading to the conference but that quickly went away when he was welcomed by others at the conference. One of the things he learned about was how to make a drum and the significance of donating it.
“Each drum is individual to the person who made it,” he said. “The drum was fun to make and I was around a lot of my friends."
Another highlight was a trip to Kejimkujik National Park where youth at the camp participated in activities such as lacrosse, music and singing as well as plant identification. Soucie said his focus was on the music and singing portion.
Conference members visited the 530-year-old “Grandmother Maple” tree and learned about being connected to the land.
Soucie said he gained real-world experience, made new friends and met new people, was immersed in Indigenous culture and learned history, gained an understanding of the Indigenous culture and the marginalization experienced throughout history and he also learned youth can advocate and provide a voice for all.
Voted “best listener” by his peers at the conference, Soucie said he has applied to be a youth leader at the 2026 conference.
Scratch said she enjoyed the trip and said she learned a lot. She stated she felt an instant connection when she arrived at the Y2Y conference.
“It was an amazing journey,” said Scratch.
Scratch added she was able to meet one of her idols, author and activist Phyllis Webstad. Webstad attended a residential school and has shared her story. She also founded Orange Shirt Day.
A hug Scratch shared with Webstad was powerful for her due to the respect Scratch has for her.
Leaving the Y2Y conference was difficult, she said.
“It was incredibly hard to walk away,” said Scratch.Scratch said she learned a lot while at the conference and found out more about her own roots.
Jim Louttit, a former Rotary district governor from the Toronto-area and member of the HIP board of directors, was pleased with how the evening went as Soucie and Scratch shared their stories with others.
“It brings them together,” said Louttit. “It’s life changing for them. It’s building long-term relationships for them.”
Suzanne Grouette from the Rotary Club of Windsor-Wide said it was a good evening and it shows the program is working. She serves on the national board with Louttit and was glad to see the impact on the two local youth.
Two Essex County youth describe experiences at “Youth to Youth” conference
By Ron Giofu
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