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BAY MILLS - For the second year, Turtle Concepts came to Bay Mills. On Thursday, March 2, on behalf of the Bay Mills Substance Abuse program, the group encouraged youth to make better choices about issues such as smoking, sex and behavior.
TC is 100 percent Aboriginal owned and operated by Dave Jones, a.k.a. Jaggyr, an Ojibwe of Garden River Nation in Ontario, Canada.
Jones, a former teacher, travels the nation to inspire people, particularly youth, to "smarten up" about their choices. TC's newest campaign, "Get Some Guts," was just recently launched, asking youth to have the courage to stand up for themselves in making their life choices and have the knowledge and the courage to say no to pressure.
"It's important to get in touch with yourself," said Jones, as he spoke to students, adding that all too often attention is placed on those who act badly, not those who excel. "It takes guts to say no to bad behavior."
Throughout the day Ojibwe Charter School classes met with Jones and his group as they worked through motivational and communication exercises. Jones encouraged students to talk to adults if they are having problems and pointed out to them that their teachers are invested in their lives and are available to them for more than just academics.
"The pressures you are feeling here are the same as everyone your age across the world," said Jones. "Go to the adults in your school with things you don't understand. Get the guts to find out the facts; facts give you confidence."
Jones' presentation is unique as he utilizes youth facilitators from areas he has been to on his journey across the country.
Wrapping up the event, TC held a fashion show involving more than a dozen OCS students that evening. Wearing the latest fashions, students strutted their stuff showing others that confidence is okay.
CLICK HERE for photos from the Fashion Show!
