A Young Niagara Falls, Ontario Citizen’s Campaign To Make A Difference For First Nations Communities

 By Doug Draper

A few years back, Bob Prankard, a Niagara Falls, Ontario resident who was working for a not-for-profit relief agency called True North Aid brought some photographs  back from the northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat that made a profound impact on his son Wes’s life.

Wes Prankard, second from left, with fellow Camp Out supporters, from left, Sterling Ryan, Kai Absolom and Wes's sister Angel. Photo by Doug Draper

The photos documented the hardship this First Nations community was going through following a huge sewage backup that left many men, women and children without a home. “He looked at those pictures,” recalled Bob of his son’s reaction, “and said; We’ve got to do something.”

And Wes Prankard, now 13-years old, has been doing something ever since.

This March Break week, at the Campark Resorts camp ground off Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls, Wes is hosting his third annual Camp Out as part of an ongoing campaign he has launched across the country to raise to aid the housing crisis in Attawapiskat and other Native communities around James Bay.

“It is totally unfair that people are living in Third World conditions right in Ontario, let alone Canada,” Wes told Niagara At Large this March 14 of his desire to “make a difference” for families he has visited in those northern communities who have little more than thin, un-insulated walls and windows that are often broken to protect them from the winter cold.

The idea of holding the Camp Out each March – this one is taking place for a total of 50 hours at the Lundy Lane camp site between 2 p.m., this Wednesday, March 14th  and  4 p.m.,  this Friday, March 16, followed on that same date by an ‘After Party’ at 6:30 p.m. at the  Drummond Hill Presbyterian Church on 6136 Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls, Ontario where Wes and possibly others will be giving a short talk – is to share in some of the same cold conditions that people living in those poorly constructed houses up north have to. Thanks to Wes’s call to others across the country, through his website Northern Starfish, at least three other groups are now also holding Camp Outs in Thunder Bay, Newfoundland, and Saskatoon, Saskachewan.

Each camper, and there are about a dozen young people, along with some parents in Wes’s group, raised at least one dollar from sponsors for each hour they are camping to go to the better housing campaign. Wes said people who are interesting in finding out more about the campaign and how to donate to it can visit his website at http://northernstarfish.org/ . They can also show their support by visiting the group at Campark Resorts or by organizing their own Camp Outs at any other time of the year at a suitable site of their choosing.

 Wes has also worked on raising money over the past few years to build playgrounds for children in Attawapiskat and other remote northern communities that don’t have one, and he has devoted time to speaking to student groups and others about the needs of these First Nation Communities. This past February, he was the special guest speaker on what is called a ‘Meeting on The Bus’, held monthly on a Niagara Region Transit bus circling between St. Catharines and Welland by a group of area citizens interested in promoting the bus system and, at the same time, discussing ways of getting more involved in making communities better .

Wes talks about his work for First Nations communities at a 'Meeting on the Bus' this past February. Photo by Doug Draper

“I always say to people that I talk to that anyone can make a difference as long as you try,” said Wes, who was recently named one of the top three ‘All Star World Changers in North America, a contest created by Free the Children, National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association, for his efforts. “There is a difference between complaining and doing something.”

It would be great if we could count on our governments to do what is necessary to improve the lives of people in communities like Attawapiskat, said Wes, but we can’t necessarily wait until they get their act together on a plan of action. “While they are arguing, we can be doing something.”

Once again, you can find out more about Wes Prankard and contributing to his efforts to assist First Nation communities by visiting his website at http://northernstarfish.org/  or visit  http://northernstarfish.org/donate/ to make a tax-deductable donation.

You can also find Wes on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Northernstarfish .  

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