FSIN Youth Chief shares what motivates him

Growing up around political and ceremonial leaders, Caige Starr had a path, charged with promise, set before him from an early age.

“He was always at his grandfather’s side,” said his mother, Tara Thompson.

“He was privy to conversations before he probably even knew what he was listening to.”

His grandfather was the late Chief Clifford Starr of Star Blanket Cree Nation.

Caige,19, has begun his own path of leadership as the newly elected Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Youth Chief.

“Having that role and title as chief is a big honour, one of the biggest honours we can have as Indigenous people,” said Caige, a member of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation. “It was really emotional because just (a week before) I was given my grandfather’s war bonnet. It felt amazing, wearing it, because there’s not a lot of people my age who have had that honour. It was a really special moment.”

He said his grandfather was an amazing role model.

During his time as chief, he was instrumental in helping the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) become the first urban reserve in Canada dedicated to education.

But for Caige, his grandfather was so much more.

“He was my best friend,” he said. “He’s the one who always had my back. We did everything together. I was always really inspired by him. He’s the one who made me want to be a Chief.”

Starr grew up in Regina surrounded by ceremony and culture, which has been crucial in shaping his values and work ethic.

In addition to FSIN Youth Chief, Caige also plays hockey for the Fort Frances Lakers in the Superior International Junior Hockey League in Ontario.

Through it all he remains grounded and connected to his culture.

He taught singing and drumming to youth in elementary schools around his hometown. Empowering youth is what compelled him to run for the FSIN youth council.

“I think we need to start teaching our youth,” said Caige. “We have to start learning our language, revitalizing our culture and ceremonies. And that starts with the young ones.”

Caige also wants to address mental health issues common with youth during his term with the FSIN.

“I see it a lot with hockey players,” he said. “They struggle with living away from their families. They often feel alone and it causes a lot of mental problems. Some youth are scared to talk about the problems they’re facing. There’s a lot of stereotypes, that you have to be tough.”

He’s working to reverse some of those stereotypes and issues that often surround youth and sports.

Caige has grown up dedicated to living a sober life.”

“I’ve seen what comes with alcohol and drugs,” he said. “Playing hockey, everyone thinks every player has to do it. I respect who I am and respect my ancestors. I want to show everyone that I can go far in hockey without taking one sip of alcohol.”

Caige believes living a sober life is powerful.

“Just imagine if every Indigenous (athlete) was able to do that,” he said. “Imagine how strong we would be.”

Caige’s mother, a chief administration officer at FNUniv, said her son’s immersion in culture has kept him both guided and motivated.

“He’s been placed in unique situations where he’s surrounded by political leaders and by ceremonial leaders,” said Thompson.  “He’s always been grounded in ceremony and culture, and raising him this way allowed him to approach things from a very natural and positive perspective.”

She’s seen young kids light up around Caige, as they learn to sing or learn about their culture. The bond he’s built with young people combined with his passion for future generations will help him lead from a place of understanding, said Thompson.

“He’s always been a natural leader,” she said. “Throughout his teenage years, being surrounded by peer pressure with drugs and alcohol, he’s always been able to stand strong and I think that’s one of the most remarkable things about him as a leader.”

Caige has taken notes not only from those within his family, but some prominent figures around Saskatchewan.

“If you look at (Chief Darcy Bear) and Whitecap, their unemployment rate is unbelievable. It’s inspiring,” he said. “One of the things I want to work on is economics – our reserves can provide for everyone. I want to learn more about doing that.”

As he prepares for a busy life as the FSIN Youth Chief, playing hockey for the Fort Frances Lakers, and being an online student at the University of Saskatchewan, he knows his culture and his family will always be by his side regardless of where his career takes him.

“Culture is my number one thing in my life. It’s what keeps me pushing through challenges,” said Caige. “Whatever is going on, I know I can cope through smudge, through song, through ceremony, through prayer. We have to show the young ones that when times get tough, there’s always a healthy way of dealing with it.”