ACTIVIST BRINGS MORAL MESSAGE TO CONSERVATIVE YOUTH RALLY
Hanneke Brooymans
Edmonton Journal, August 15 2005
This is not the time for conservatives to be meek. So says Faytene Kryskow, an Edmonton-born author and activist who is touring the country, urging socially conservative youths and young adults to counteract the messages coming from "aggressive liberals."Her message attracted about 65 people —mostly clean-cut, well-groomed youth— to the steps of the Alberta legislature Sunday. There, she led them in prayers asking society and politicians to embrace a culture of "life" and justice.
Kryskow, 30, calls this the "Siege—Storm the Hill" tour because it will ultimately wind up in Ottawa. But also because her tour book is crammed with visits to MPs and MLAs. "There is a perception in Canada that the next generation, those 35 and under, is by and large departing from the traditional morals of our fathers and forefathers," she said. "Politicians believe the aggressive liberal voice represents the next generation. I’m here to say it doesn’t." There are thousands of young adults who believe in the traditional biblical definitions of what is right and wrong, she said. Many politicians are relieved and eager to hear her message, Kryskow said, adding she does not limit her visits to any one party. "The only reason we’ve been turned down by anyone is for scheduling reasons."
She has already met with Conservative MP Stockwell Day and his wife, Valerie. Today, she plans to see NDP Edmonton-Calder MLA David Eggen, Conservative MP for Edmonton-Leduc James Rajotte, Conservative MP Edmonton-Sherwood Park Ken Epp, Liberal Edmonton-McClung MLA Mo Elsalhy, and Conservative MLA Edmonton-Castle Downs Thomas Lukaszuk.
Many politicians know her for her book, entitled Stand On Guard, which offers a historical look at some of Canada’s "righteous" founders. One of those founders was Marie Guyart, a missionary who traveled to Canada in 1639 before it was even a nation to serve among First Nations people. Guyart was religious from a young age, while Kryskow’s own calling came somewhat later.
Born in Edmonton and raised in Lesser Slave Lake, Kryskow ended up in British Columbia, where she took a communications degree at Simon Fraser University. She got involved in inner-city ministries and, at the age of 20, found her faith renewed. Until then, she had been a "troubled kid." "I was a mess in the sense of getting into lots of trouble, not with the law, just with my parents." Now, she feels she should encourage other young people who share her beliefs to speak out. Often, people who believe in principles such as abstinence before marriage are made to feel like criminals or aliens in today’s society, she said. She wants them to know they are not alone. "We’re not telling them what to say," she said about her rallies. She believes in the traditional view of marriage, the importance of prayers in schools and the rights of unborn children.
Jenelle Ekkelenkamp, 17, was at the rally Sunday because she thinks "the spirit of death has come against our generation and our nation." "I think the Christians in our generation aren’t speaking out, they’re not taking a stance for what is good, just and for what God thinks is right." Jason Zerbin, 18, said he thinks many of his generation remain quiet because young people often think they can’t change any thing. "We haven’t been given a voice by the older generation. Now, that muzzle is being removed."
hbrooymans@thejournal.canwest.com