First Nations teenager inspires youth at Winnipeg TEDx event

Alex Knott overcame his stuttering and shyness – publicly at a TEDx event, no less, about water issues in remote First Nations communities.

A young man from Teulon was one of about a dozen young speakers and performers at the TEDxYouth@FortGarry event in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

The theme for this year's event was Transformers and featured Knott's transformation from a shy, quiet teenager to a public speaker, saxophonist and traditional hoop dancer.

Knott said that when he was younger, he just didn't talk.

“Most of my friends would do the talking for me because (I) was too scared and nervous to speak in front of the whole group,” she told CBC News before taking the stage at the Manitoba Youth Theatre.

Her mentor, Siobhan Faulkner, said Knott felt something was wrong when she learned about First Nations rights and treaties, and she wanted to talk about it.

“As a teacher, you're passionate about finding the voice of children and being able to share that voice,” she said.

Knott spoke to the youth about the lack of running water in St. Theresa's Point, Man., where relatives live.

“These people are living in Third World conditions in a First World country. It's a bit sad,” he said.

Teens at TEDxYouth@FortGarry say seeing Knott and other young people on stage makes them realize they can share their opinions.

“It's good to know that there are other people who feel strongly about issues that I feel strongly about,” said Mikayla McNaughton, a student at Sturgeon Heights College in Winnipeg.