Guest Speaker October 10, 2018

 

Edward Cyr has worked with Native Canadian youth for over 12 years. He has experience working with youth with HIV, and those in the criminal justice system. Edward is also Native Canadian, and his spiritual name is Sacred Eagle.

 

Edward to us that many native youth have a false idea that coming to a big city will be easy. They think it will simple to find a job, rent an apartment, and flourish, but that’s not the case. Toronto is a very expensive and competitive city, and most are not prepared and able to handle this reality.

 

The biggest issue facing native youth in Toronto is finding affordable housing. While governments do provide some financial assistance, it’s far from enough. In addition, many landlords do not want to rent to natives as some have mental health issues, or addictions. Edward works with these kids to help find space, but it can often take several months. He told us of a girl he worked with recently. Despite having a good job, she was forced to sleep in her car for months until affordable housing could be found.

 

Edward shared a native story about finding a home.

 

Once there was a sparrow that was injured while evading an owl. He could not go south with the rest of his family and so he sent them along, saying that he would find shelter for the winter and meet them in the spring. The sparrow looked his son in the eye and said, "I will see you again.” And the son believed him.

 

The sparrow went to an oak tree and asked if he could hide in his leaves and branches for the winter to keep warm, but the oak refused. It is said that oak trees are cold, hard trees with tiny hearts.

 

Well, after this the sparrow went to a maple tree and asked the same question. The maple tree was kinder than the oak tree, but it also refused to shelter the bird. The sparrow asked every tree he came to if they might house him from the deadly weather: the beech, the aspen, the willow, the elm. They all said no.

 

Well, the first snow came, and the sparrow was desperate. Finally he flew over to the pine tree. “Will you house me for the winter?” the sparrow asked. “I can’t offer you much protection”’ said the pine. “I only have needles that let in the wind and cold.”

 

“It is all right” said the sparrow, shivering.  And so the pine agreed, and with the tree’s protection, the sparrow survived the long winter. When the spring came he was rejoined by his family. The son was overjoyed. He never thought he would see his father again.

 

When the Creator heard this story, he was angry with the trees. “You did not shelter a tiny sparrow in need,” he said. “We are sorry” said the trees.

 

“You will never forget this sparrow” the said the Creator. And after that, He caused all of the trees to lose their leaves each fall…well, almost all of the trees, because it was kind to the poor bird, the pine got to keep its needles all winter long.

 

Like the pine helped the sparrow, Rotary can help native youth. Some ideas include workshops in budgeting, personal hygiene, and nutrition. RTE member are invited to visit the native centre. You can talk to the kids and the workers to better understand the issue and help find solutions.

 

Edward took questions from the audience.

 

When asked how many kids they see each year, Edward told us it varies, but 10 to 20 per month is typical. If these kids are not helped, they risk substance abuse, or falling victim to the sex trade.

 

Some of the ways they are helping is working with friendly landlords, and educating native youth through social media on the realities of moving to large cities.

 

For more information, please visit https://ncct.on.ca/