Larissa Burnouf
APTN National News
With the alarming number of growing suicide rates among teens across Canada, an up and coming First Nations modelling company is looking to raise the self-confidence of at-risk youth.
Based out of Saskatoon, Dream PK Modelling founder Rodrick Rabbitskin said he was severely bullied as a child. After high school he turned to modeling to help gain confidence. Now, he uses that experience and knowledge to help other First Nations youth.
“There was a lot of youth that have dealt with severe bullying, that now with title of being a youth model with Dream PK Modeling, they find that’s their ticket to confidence, that’s their time to shine, this is them in their element now,” said Rabbitskin.
His company facilitates a 10-week course that brings First Nations youth together for workshops in model training.
It’s an opportunity he said.
“That was hard for me to get when I was a youth. So, it’s all about making sure we affect a group of youth at a time, while making it affordable because that was one of my biggest issues when I started modelling,” he said.
One of the program co-facilitators has travelled all over the world working in the modelling profession. Elicia Munro-Sutherland said it helped her after growing up as a shy, timid girl.
“I moved a lot through my childhood,” said Munro-Sutherland. “I’ve been to over 25 schools. I lived in many reserves, towns, cities, but I guess modelling has helped me make new friends. It helped me get out of my shell. It helped make me more confident within myself.”
Although only in its second year of classes, Dream PK Modelling said it has witnessed a huge change in model’s confidence.
“Before the program I was very timid,” said program participant Jared Fehr. “I was very shy to talk to people and now I can hold myself up properly and talk to people with a great smile on my face. I’ve learned a lot from this class.”
Another participant, Ariel Rabbitskin, sent a message of encouragement to other youth, “Just put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to, you know, go and do something different that other people don’t do.”
I would love to have my 15 Year old daughter participate in this I live on the East Coast (Maritimes) is this available in our area? Welal’ioq-Thank you
Would love them to come to the keeseekoose and cote First Nation!! Awesome!
Thank you so much Larissa burnouf for coming out and checking out the class and for this opportunity and to APTN for supporting us and raising awareness to what we are doing ❤️
Is there an office in Winnipeg this is an outstanding opportunity for youth
This is so inspiring and these young people are just beautiful and impressive! Keep up the good work.