SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE TOUR - YOUNG ACTIVISTS LAY SIEGE TO REGINA
Linda Kayseas
Regina Leader-Post, August 18 2005
In an effort to get their voices heard by government, a group of young social conservatives traveling across Canada were in Regina Wednesday to promote their cause. "We live in a democracy, it’s our basic freedom. It’s is about being honest with who you are, and kind of coming out of the closet, to say we believe in God," said Faytene Kryskow, author and creator of the SIEGE tour.The SIEGE-Storm the Hill tour began Aug. 10 at the B.C legislature building, and will wrap up in Ottawa later this month. More than 60 people gathered at the Legislative Building on Wednesday afternoon to show support for the group. "Our intention is to encourage young social conservatives to use their voice, and speak up, and be unashamed of your traditional values," said Kryskow, a 30-year-old devout Christian.
At each provincial legislature across Canada, Kryskow said the group recites its commitment to God and themselves, called the Josiah Covenant: The covenant of a generation. The vow encourages youth to become more active in politics, and not to compromise their biblical values.
"Ideologically, we are more conservative and most politicians don’t believe that we exist, at least not in these numbers. We’re just here to say that we do and that the decisions that are being made in the nation right now, should have our voices factored into it," said Kryskow.
Kryskow has met with MLAs in each province, and is scheduled to meet with Warren McCall, New Democrat MLA for Regina Elphinstone-Centre to speak about getting youth involved. "We are a national team, and we are encouraging these young people to connect with their leaders, so it becomes their own movement," said Kryskow. She said that this tour is important to all youth who want their voices to be heard. "Canada needs a little bit of honesty," she added.