Patrick Aleck says “I’m not supposed to be here right now,” referring to cerebral palsy and life challenges, “but I am” — and he’s making a difference in the community
Patrick Aleck’s Vancouver Island University “about students” poster provides some of the basics about this rising motivational speaker and community leader: he’s from Stz’uminus [pronounced stih-meen-us] and Penelakut First Nations and studied in the Adult Basic Education Program at VIU; he wants to be seen as an equal and says “having a disability does not stop me from pursuing my goals”; and he declares that “I am living my dream and this is just the beginning.”
Patrick’s path was difficult — overcoming the limitations of cerebral palsy, being bullied during childhood, and the inter-generational effects of residential school abuses. But in recent years, Patrick Aleck’s voice has emerged as one of a new generation of young Indigenous leaders. He has found his voice — and is now working to make a difference.
I just want to do it, and if I can do it you can too! I am living my dream and this is just the beginning. — Patrick Aleck, VIU “about students” poster
Patrick was honoured at the 2012 Gathering Our Voices aboriginal youth conference as a community champion.
We speak with Patrick Aleck.
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— People First Radio (@peoplefirstrad) February 18, 2016
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