By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Almost 50 youths and their parents took part in the anti-bullying, suicide prevention, motivational conference at Spruce Haven on June 17 and 18, featuring the talented artist and motivational speaker Jason “Smoke” Nichols, his wife, Melissa “MiMi” Nichols, and a whole group of talented individuals focused on empowering youths through lyrical healing, expression and their own stories of perseverance.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Paricipants in the RezHeadz Conference on June 17 and 18 that taught a variety of anti-bullying suicide prevention lessons and concluded with a concert featuring chart-topping artists included, from left, front row: Mishun Morey, Ameena Vizcarrondo, Kiarra Lahey and Elizabeth Findlen. Second row: Moin Paul, Tania Morey, Dakota Philbrook, Austin Pictou, Devin Smart, Nagoo Morey and Gesig Joseph. Back row: Baby Shel, DJ Ray Ray, Jason “Smoke” Nichols (holding Zi’gwan Morey), Melissa “MiMi” Nichols, Mimiques Joseph and Branden Hebert.
At the end of the conference, participants enjoyed a concert featuring the musically inclined motivational speakers and, a unique souvenir, DJ Ray Ray of the group created a song, “Beat of the Youth,” that featured uniquely Aroostook lyrics created by participating youths as well as instrumentals from other conference participants.
But it was a long way from the start of the conference to the concert finale with a lot of cathartic educational exercises along the way to help youths address issues like bullying and suicide prevention; tools like teambuilding and lyrical healing were implemented by the RezHeadz in such a manner to assist participants in building relationships and camaraderie amongst themselves.
“These kids are great, and there’s great leadership in this community,” Smoke said.
The event was coordinated by Julia Walton, suicide prevention coordinator for the Indian Health Service’s Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative for the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in Presque Isle and overall, she felt that that the event has had a positive impact on participants and spectators.
Walton said the conference was inspirational for youths, teaching them pride and the importance of being true to oneself.
“[Youths learned that] they can be that person they aspire to be,” she said.
But it wasn’t just Micmac youths that learned the important lessons being taught by the RezHeadz; as suicide prevention and anti-bullying tools are important for all children regardless of ethnicity and cultural heritage, event organizers held this free conference for all interested youths — and watching the crowd as Smoke, Mimi and the rest of the RezHeadz spoke, all youths in attendance were interested.
Additional information regarding the RezHeadz and Smoke can be obtained by visiting www.RezHeadz.com.
