By Mase Scarlet
Exceptional future leaders of the nation are being cared for and nurtured by Grant Blackhorse Jr., a family support worker from White Buffalo. Through White Buffalo, Grant delivers programs tailored to youth to help them stay active, engaged, and outgoing.
One program is Makoyii Youth Leadership, which is specifically designed to be a safe space for young people—whether they’re dealing with challenges at home or simply need a place to hang out. Through Makoyii Leadership, Grant reminds youth of the values that should remain important throughout life, including family, friends, staying productive through school or work, and even pets. He also uses clips from movies and TV shows to show that inspiration can be found in the mundane moments of life.
Grant is known for creating a fair and inclusive environment. For instance, he often offers prizes such as gift cards to encourage participation—but ensures that even if someone doesn’t win this time, they still feel valued and know their turn will come. He also facilitates the Makoyii Dryland Workouts held at the baseball field by the Sportsplex.
Grant’s dedication began at an early age. At just 13 years old, he received a certificate through Siksika Health and later became one of the first youth to run SN7. Now, at 27, he’s at White Buffalo, following the path he feels called to. “I got told I belong here and I was meant to work with our nation as a strong Blackfoot male role model,” he says.
We at Siksika Media & Communications wish you all the best in your continued journey with White Buffalo and in supporting the youth of our community, Grant!
Make sure to contact him at “1 (587) 438-9724” for more info on his programs with White Buffalo!
Here is our interview with him:
MS: Who are you and what is your job?
GBH: Grant Blackhorse Jr from Siksika Nation and I am a Family Support Worker with Siksika White Buffalo.
MS: How long have you worked with youth?
GBH: I got my first certification at 13 through Siksika health. I am now 27 so that that is 14 years of experience so far, I also have my level 1 ECE and over 20 certifications.
MS: What is your connection with SN7?
GBH: I was one of the first youth that was chosen to run SN7. I guess you can say that I played a big role in creating the program alongside some of our nations best. I worked for them for 5 years before moving to Vancouver.
MS: How do you bring youth out of their comfort zones while also respecting it?
GBH: I encourage them to take small steps and remind them that everyone goes through discomfort at all points in our life’s. It’s easy to suspect and see when a youth is feeling out of their comfort zone. Sometimes it takes the community to raise the child as they say. Also the young will know and feel when they are being properly respected. So it’s important to show them by leading by example. Our nations youth are learning by what they are taught at home, school and most importantly their close friends! Thats why I teach these youth to be leaders instead of followers so that they can feel comfortable in situations that make them feel uneasy.
MS: Anything with your past work with youth that stands out?
GBH: How resilient the youth are! I’ve been through tough times growing up in West G, but these youth go through so much more and still show up with smiles and laughter.
MS: How is working at white buffalo when did you start?
GBH: I started on January 2025. I got told I belong here and I was meant to work with our nation as a strong Blackfoot male role model. I was shocked to hear that because I never got that much growing up. I was always told I was good at my sports but I wanted to be a better person! So hearing that made me feel on top of the world.
MS: What challenges have you had working with youth?
GBH: Consistency at the programs and getting rides for the youth for sure.
MS: Any sort of approaches with youth that have had tremendous success?
GBH: Sports is always a big hit for the youth. Whether it’s baseball , hockey, Dryland training, basketball ECT! The kids just want to move and get active. We have so many natural athletes on our reserve.
MS: Any approaches with youth that have had failure?
GBH: I’ve had a few kids quit on me during coaching. I felt like a failure to them because I felt like I was the one who made them quit from trying to push to hard but in the end those same kids came back and thanked me for pushing them hard! At that time they just weren’t mature enough to go through the pressure.
MS: Why is working with youth so important to you?
GBH: I do it because when I was younger I went through a lot. I needed someone to look up to and guide me through this game of life. So now that I am older and lots of experience, I want to give back to our youth and guide them onto the right path. I was never perfect and that’s okay. These youth need to know it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to make mistakes, it’s okay to be “not okay” as long as we push forward through positive ways.
MS: In what ways have youth affected you?
GBH: In every way imaginable. They inspire to do better for myself and for them. I empathize our youth. They teach me love and kindness. They show me respect and happiness in many ways. Not a day goes by where a youth hasn’t affected what I do. I love them with all my heart. I love them all as my own brothers and sisters.
MS: Whats the biggest difference from when you started working with youth at 13 to now?
GBH: How much knowledge I have and much more mature I am now. I also see how much more smart but at the same time the youth are a bit more rebellious, but then again aren’t all youth like that at some point?
MS: Tell me about the programs you facilitate like the dry land workouts and youth leadership? and is there plans/ideas for different types of programs?
GBH: On Monday’s I have the Makoyii Youth Leadership Program that I have 10 youth that are signed up. I usually have about 7 on the daily. The kids get chances to win gift cards everyday. They get supper and snacks. We are in the process of getting swag like hoodies, hats and shirts. We talk about life skills, Siksika Values, arts and crafts, play on the VR’s, go on field trips. At this point in time I’m just trying to let these kids be leaders in the community but at the same time giving them a safe space to be themselves. The Dryland Training program that happens every Wednesday has over 20 participants. Aging from 17 all the way to 7. We do stretches , high intensity workouts, sprints, breathing exercises, playing games and a lot of fun activities. We will also inviting numerous community members who are educated in sports therapy and over all sports fitness. Kids also get to win prizes and they get snacks/drinks. This program will be getting workout shirts and shorts.
MS: Anything else you’d like to say?
GBH: I’d like to Include that I love my people and my Nation. I never drank or gotten drunk in my life. I love my family and Baseball. I have my first Son who is almost 7months named Espen Brando Blackhorse. I’d also like to shoutout my beautiful wife Taylor, my moms/pops, my beautiful sisters and all my nieces and nephews. I wanna thank you and Siksika media for all the good work you do. Keep it up!