Conference to empower community youth for success

Observer Staff

10/2/2003 12:00:00 AM

Several Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal departments have pulled together for a two-day empowerment seminar to prepare today's youth for tomorrow's success.

The Second Annual Our Youth, Our Journey Conference, which is slated for July 16 and 17 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, focuses on bridging the generational gap to make this a reality.

With help from motivational speaker and convicted felon Dale "Mad Dog" Messmer, Parent/Infant Guidance Counselor Amy Perkins said it will be an eye opening look into the consequences of poor decision making.

"Here's an educated individual who made bad choices, paid for them, and has now chosen to save as many young people as possible by educating them about his experiences," Perkins explained. "With two college degrees and several black belts in the martial arts, Mad Dog is someone to be taken seriously. His message should make a huge impact on the youth."

Perkins said Messmer does not glamorize his escapades or have anything positive to say about crime. His goal is to "tell it like it is" to anyone contemplating or experimenting with bad choices.

Messmer served over 10 years in prison for drug smuggling and armed robbery in four states. After being discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps, he became involved in several businesses. Messmer operated a concert security company, a limousine service, taverns, was a bounty hunter, and bodyguard for Charlie Daniels and The Oak Ridge Boys. Expanding his operations to include a charter flying service, his free-lance work led to drug smuggling and ultimately prison. He is an expert with all forms of weapons and firearms, including explosives.

Mad Dog has spoken to over 400 schools and continues to work with the LAPD Juvenile Impact Program. He has been seen on the Leeza Gibbons Show, The Home and Family Show, Save Our Streets, Working, Mad About You, many news/documentary broadcasts, and is a regular guest on the Maury Povich Show working with "at-risk" kids by taking them to boot camp. He is the founder of Straight Talk Outreach Programs and the cofounder of America's Youth Ranch.

Native American speaker D.J. Vanas will also return to the conference to present "The Warrior Within." Special group leaders Dr. Suzanne Lynn Cross and Ruth Oja will also be in attendance to instigate positive change.

For more information, call (989) 775-4999.

Sponsors include, Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence Task Force, Summer Youth Program, Nimkee Public Health/Maternal Child Services, Tribal Education, Intertribal Council, At-Large, Senior Program, Public Relations, and the Youth Task Force.