Indigenous youth experience 'lots of firsts' in volunteer trip to Dominican Republic

A group of Indigenous youthwho've just returned to Manitoba from a trip where they builta home in the Dominican Republic say the initiative helped build character, too.

More than a dozen teensraised moneyfor the trip, which saw them help erect a house in Puerto Plata, on the island country's northern coast.

Sheila North, a board member of the non-profit charity LiveDifferentand former Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) grand chief, said it was an opportunity for young Indigenous people particularly those from Northern Manitoba to experience what it's like going to a different country. But it was also about giving back, she added.

"Being there ... to help build a house was about ... helping them build their own futures with confidence, and thinking globally," North said.

"You get to see the world, you get to experience new things, you get to feel new things," North said. "We found a lot of similarities,and I knew that they would be surprised by that."

The participants each had to raise about $3,000to build the house.

Current MKO grand chief Garrison Settee metthe returning teens at the Winnipeg airport Sunday. There was drumming and singing, and people held signs that said "welcome back."

"Itopens your eyes about a lot of things andhow you don't need to be family to ... be there for each other," said Tre Gladu, adding that the people he met there were so friendly "you could almost swear that we'veknown each other our whole lives."

Royce Colon said the trip taught him how to connect with others.

"It felt very great working together with different communities to build a house for a nice man," he said.

North said all of them experienced a "lot of firsts" that they'll be sharing with their friends and community.

"Hopefully [that inspires] them to keep doing incredible things," she said.