Message From CWF Owner Ernie Todd

Tansi.

I have decided to make my website available to those who wish to raise awareness for issues.  After watching Grand Chief Stan Beardy talk about the missing youth in Thunder Bay, I felt compelled to try to help out and if I can, I will.

I visit several of these isolated communities that the youth are forced to leave to continue their education. After Grade 8 their only option is to leave their community to receive this education that they are being told is necessary in order for them to have a good life.  We were all kids once and we all know how much of a tender age this is, plus moving out of the only home you know can be a pretty scary process.

Leaving a very small isolated community to attend High School in a "white man's"  big city could take some time to adjust to, plus there are far too many negative aspects that can drag someone into, of whom is not aware of what to expect.  

Drugs, Alcohol, Peer Pressure, Gangs, these negative aspects of life are all waiting for them when they arrive and if they are not educated on what is waiting for them and have a strong support network to deal with these issues, very well they could fall prey to those who are stalking them.  

Not saying this is what happened to Jordan but it does happen to others.

My friend Danny Sakakeep from Big Trout was involved raising awareness for this issue.  He and several others held a walk on the winter ice roads to raise awareness for Jordan.  Danny told me he has been found but not alive. 

Let's hope this issue is taken seriously and the proper steps are put in place to help these young people reach their dreams.