Aboriginal Role Model
by Her Excellency Michaëlle JeanOver the past year, I have had the opportunity to meet with many Aboriginal youths, including a group that accompanied a delegation of veterans to Normandy to pay tribute to the spirit of the warriors who fell in Europe during the Second World War. I was impressed by the dialogue between generations. The younger generation was visibly moved to return with the elders to the landing sites and to hear them recount that difficult period in their lives. Their pride was unmistakable. The youths were also given the opportunity to talk about their aspirations and desire to make a difference in their own right and to inspire generations to come.
As I travelled through the territories and provinces, I met many more young people who, in spite of their troubles or the difficult situations in which they sometimes found themselves, refused to give up on their dreams. These are true builders, true leaders who believe in their potential. I am reminded of the hundreds of Aboriginal youth entrepreneurs from all across Canada who gathered in Vancouver in March 2006 and shared with me their determination to overcome their difficulties and carve out a place for themselves in the business world.
On Monday, October 16, at Rideau Hall, we awarded the National Aboriginal Role Model Awards to 12 youths aged 13 to 30 who have been recognized in their communities for their achievements, spirit of commitment and innovation. An entire generation is aching to be heard and daring to dream in this country where anything is possible.
5 Comments
Je ne peux parlé que pour moi. Je suis métisse d'une lignée de métis du Nouveau-Brunswick et chez-nous la tradition orale est très présente. Je conçois facilement qu'il doit en être de même parmi les autres Nations autochtones du reste du pays. Cette fièrté de nos origines, de nos racines est très forte malgré toutes les difficultés vécues sur les réserves comme en dehors des réserves.
Il est plus que certain que ces jeunes gens ont confiance en l'avenir comme nous à leur âge. Comme vous le dites si bien : "C’est toute une génération qui a envie d’être entendue et qui ose rêver dans ce pays de tous les possibles."
Tout ce dont ils ont besoin est que leur soit fourni les outils nécessaires à la mise en oeuvre de leur projet d'avenir et de société. Cette reconnaissance de leur travail et de leurs efforts est pour eux un outil essentiel qui vient alimenter leur confiance en eux et en cet avenir dont ils sont les bâtisseurs.
Cette autre perspective est essentielle à la cohésion du Canada, et j'applaudis à la fois leur visibilité et votre volonté, Excellence, de favoriser ce processus d'ouverture d'esprit.
Caterina Corazza
Though I wished to be of the group that you met in Normandy, I was unfortunately rejected some time before the voyage began. It does, however, bring me joy that you were impressed with the group.
I do what I can to aid the Natives in my community, it's inspiring to see these efforts coming to your attention. Perhaps, one day, I will be of the few that will receive this National Aboriginal Role Model Award in the new future, but until then, we must move onward!
God save the Queen,
Bryan Gingras
I think it's wonderful that the Crown in Canada continues to recognize the extraordinary contributions made to Canada by our Native peoples. Canada could not have been possible, never mind as amazing as it is today, without the co-operation and contribution of Métis, First Nations and our Inuit peoples.
I have read elsewhere that many people of Native descent feel a special connection to the Crown—since our Crown was engaged in a dialogue and negotiation with Native peoples even before Confederation. That unique relationship is something I am admittedly jealous of, and I hope that aboriginal Canadians will continue to cherish that special relationship, as I know they do.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Girodat
Newton—North Delta (B.C.)
MJ