Jessica Marcellais - Academic Senior Award

Nominated by University of Manitoba ACCESS Programs

Born in the Pas and raised in Cranberry Portage, Jessica Marcellais is a nineteen-year-old Metis woman who has excelled as a student and as a journalist. She graduated with Honours from Frontier Collegiate Institute in 2003 and was chosen as class valedictorian. Jessica received the Governor General’s award for academic excellence and many other numerous awards and scholarships. After reading her Valedictorian speech, the publisher of Grassroots News hired her as a provincial journalist.

Jessica knew in high school that she wanted to study law after being elected Prime Minister of Frontier Collegiate’s Youth Parliament. She enjoys open discussions and debates, particularly regarding Aboriginal politics and governance. She is currently in her second year at the University of Manitoba, where she has achieved A and B grades. Her goal is to graduate from the Faculty of Law with a major in Native Studies.

Despite her busy schedule as a student, Jessica is actively involved with the Manitoba Metis Federation. Her involvement with the MMF began when she was eight years old. She would attend local and regional meetings in her Region of The Pas. Her contributions to her community grew over the years. She served as a member of the Metis Youth Advisory Council, and has volunteered in numerous other capacities. Because of her academic excellence and contributions to her community, she was chosen to represent the Flin Flon constituency during Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee visit to Winnipeg. Jessica was one of two Metis youth who dined with the Queen. Jessica proudly wore her Metis sash.

Once Jessica completes Law school she will return home to the north to embark on a career that gives back to her community. She hopes to work on regional, provincial, national, and international issues. She hopes to return to University to obtain a Masters in Native Studies and begin academic and scholarly writing in the areas of Aboriginal law and governance. Jessica says of her plans, “I know that my heart will always remain with Aboriginal people, and the issues of our communities and nations.”

Trisha Murdock- Academic Junior Award

Nominated by Southeast Education Centre

Trisha Dawn Murdock is eighteen years old and was born in Arborg, Manitoba but was raised in Fisher River Cree Nation.

Trisha attended Charles Sinclair School until she was in Senior Two. She was a member of the Pride group, whose members choose to lead drug and alcohol free lifestyles. She then moved to Winnipeg, where she enrolled at Fort Richmond Collegiate. Moving from a small community school to a much bigger school was very intimidating for Trisha, so she transferred to Southeast Education Centre, where she found herself feeling more comfortable and confident.

Trisha has achieved many academic and personal goals despite being diagnosed at a young age with a learning disability. Trisha graduated from Southeast College with the highest average in the school, receiving the Governor General’s Award. During high school she received awards for best attendance, highest achievement, and the physical education female award. Trisha was part of the Varsity Girls Volleyball team which won the Zone Title and advanced to the High School Provincial Championships; a first for her school. Trisha is now enrolled in her first year at the University of Manitoba. She plans on pursuing a degree in Law.

For the past two summers, Trisha has returned to her community to gain work experience with the Fisher River Human Resources Summer Student Program. She was also a part of the Junior Rangers Program at Wallace Lake, where she learned new skills, and earned certificates for firefighting, tree planting, First Aid and CPR. She continues to return to her community to volunteer and to gain work experience, and hopes to implement a youth program in her home community.

Trisha’s credits her parents with giving her the strength to accomplish her goals. Trisha says of her parents, “My role models are my parents, who I love and who gave me a good life. They may not have a degree, but they know what hard work is. They inspired and supported me through high school and told me how important education is.”

Mario Dupont - Artistic Performance Award

Nominated by Sunrise School Division

Mario Dupont is a proud Metis fiddler, athlete, volunteer, and music teacher. Mario was born in Pine Falls, Manitoba and grew up on a farm on the Winnipeg River where he learned to respect nature and his culture. He mastered the fiddle at the age of sixteen, after only two years of playing. He recently played on national television with his role model, renowned Saskatchewan Metis fiddler, John Arcand.

Mario’s family is the Official Voyageur Family of Manitoba for the Festival du Voyageur. Mario shares his fiddling talent at many of his “Voyageur” events, at conferences, at school events, and at community gatherings. He shares his love for music by giving free fiddling lessons to other students during his lunch hour.

In the summer of 2003, after playing the fiddle for only six months, Mario was awarded a scholarship to attend a music camp in West Virginia. There he learned from accomplished fiddlers that music is a reflection of one’s culture and heritage. Mario is dedicated to preserving this aspect of his culture.

Aside from his musical talents, Mario has been on the Principal’s Honour Roll since Grade 7, and has won numerous academic awards in high school, including Highest Overall Average. He has repeatedly won the Concours de Oratoire, a French public speaking contest.

Mario has won over 40 athletic awards at his school including Male Athlete of the Year for two consecutive years. His athletic achievements include winning multiple gold, silver and bronze medals at the Manitoba Indigenous Games, and at the Western and Northern Francophone games, and gold and bronze at the 2002 North American Indigenous games in track and field events. Mario would like to be Physical Education teacher once he completes university.
Mario’s enthusiasm and dedication to his music, family, and community is greatly appreciated by those around him. As a talented fiddler, Mario is dedicated to sharing his passion for music with his community, so that future generations will enjoy this unique aspect of the Metis culture.

Francine Compton - Artistic Visual Award

Nominated by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)

Francine Compton is a 24-year-old Ojibway from the Sandy Bay First Nation and is one of the youngest full-time television directors in Canada. Growing up in Winnipeg’s west end, Francine learned a lot about the Aboriginal culture and traditions through her elders and parents. She loved to dance in powwows as a fancy shawl dancer and spent many summers on the pow wow trail.

It was her father who inspired her to become involved in the media. As a CBC journalist, her father was one of the first Aboriginal people shown on television. This encouraged her to study broadcasting in high school at Tec Voc, where she graduated in 1999 with a Vocational Diploma. Francine was hired as a Host Broadcaster with CBC during the 1999 Pan American Games. Francine then worked with the Royal Bank but when there was an opportunity to host Medicine Wheel on APTN, she jumped at the chance. She finished a full season of thirteen shows and had begun another project with APTN when a mentorship with the Aboriginal Broadcasting Training Initiative became available. Through this mentorship, Francine trained as an Assistant Director.

In April 2000, she began to do news shows with APTN and was eventually asked to be a director, a milestone in her career, as most people don’t become directors until their mid-thirties. Francine learned the ropes and was soon directing the Contact show for APTN. The next step was to direct the Closing Ceremonies for the 2002 North American Indigenous Games. Now she has directed over eighty episodes of Contact and over 350 news shows. Francine has also directed shows such as the Pipeline town hall meeting in Yellowknife, the Fishing Rights town hall meeting in Halifax, the launch of the J.J. Harper movie, a special 90-minute segment on Residential schools, the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly, and the election of a new National Grand Chief.

Despite her busy schedule with a daily National News program and a weekly call in show, Francine still takes time to speak to young students about the media. She serves as a role model to not only them, but for the Aboriginal community at large.

Shelly Hruska- Athletic Senior Award

Nominated by Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre

Shelly Hruska is a 24-year-old Metis woman from Winnipeg. She began playing ringette at the age of five, and nineteen years later Shelly has played at all levels of the sport.

Shelly played a key role in Team Canada’s gold medal performance at the 2004 World Ringette Championship in Stockholm, Sweden. The Team also took gold in 2002, and in 1999 Shelly played for Team Manitoba, winning a silver medal at the 1999 Canada Winter Games. Her athletic ability and finesse have won her a spot on all-star teams four times.

Shelly is a certified Level 2 ringette coach, and an instructor at the Lisa Brown Ringette School.
Shelly holds a degree in education and is a full-time teacher at Cecil Rhodes School in Winnipeg. Her optimistic outlook and enthusiasm has endeared her to both her peers and the children whom she coaches and teaches.

Her time spent teaching, coaching, and volunteering with children in the inner city, as well as her athletic achievements, have provided her with the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of many. Shelly says, “I take pride in being a role model for young people and I work hard at building a positive community within any school that I am involved with.”

Shelly dedicates countless hours within the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities as a motivational speaker, inspiring her audience to get involved in their community and promoting the benefits of choosing a healthy lifestyle.

A superb athlete, a leader, and a dedicated teacher, Shelly is a wonderful role model for all children.

Corey Courchene - Athletic Junior Award

Nominated Sagkeeng Employment and Training

Corey Courchene is an eighteen-year-old from Sagkeeng First Nation. Corey’s love for hockey began when he was a young child. Corey first played for the Pineview Saints at the age of five.

When he was eight years old, Corey was invited to try out for the Manitoba Mustangs Triple A team in Winnipeg. Corey made the team, and his parents sacrificed many hours travelling between home in Fort Alexander and games and practices in Winnipeg.

A milestone in Corey’s hockey career came in 1999 when he was chosen from ninety potential players to join the Polar Ice Team. This Team traveled to Sapporo, Japan where they won gold, and where Corey was chosen Most Valuable Player. It was then that Corey and his parents knew he had a special gift as a skilled hockey player.

When Corey returned to Canada, he was presented with a Sports Excellence Achievement Award from the Premier of Manitoba, the Honourable Gary Doer.

In March 2001, Corey was chosen to play in the Director’s Cup and in May 2001, he went to Toronto to play in the Top Prospects Tournament.

At only fifteen-years old he was chosen to play with the Southeast Blades, who won the Addison Division finals for the 2002/2003 season. The Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL recruited him the following season. Although Corey has played with older and more experienced players his entire career, he has established himself as a key player in the WHL at the young age of eighteen.

Corey has faced numerous challenges on and off the ice. His strength comes from his family and the citizens of Sagkeeng First Nation, who often travel many miles to watch his games. He is prouder than ever of his identity as an Aboriginal person. With his family and friends supporting his great hockey talent, Corey is well on his way to achieving his next goal—to play in the National Hockey League.

Priscille Buors - Business Entrepreneurial Award

Nominated by Aboriginal Business Education Program (ABEP), University of Manitoba

Priscille Buors is a 22-year-old Metis whose roots are in St. Laurent, Manitoba, and who currently resides in Winnipeg. The youngest of three children, she grew up in the country outside of Teulon where she lived until she was 15. From there, she transferred to Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, in Selkirk, Manitoba, where she graduated in 2000 with Honours and received the Program Major Award in Business and Computer Technology. The following year, she was awarded the “Promoting Aboriginal Student Success” Academic and Personal Achievement Award. Now enrolled in her final year of university, she will graduate in April 2005.

During Priscille’s high school years, she was actively involved in school sports. She was a member of the school volleyball, basketball, track and field, badminton teams, and of the community’s ringette and soccer teams. She has won numerous sports awards including a medallion for “Hard Work and Dedication” for track and field and she was nominated for Junior Varsity Athlete of the Year.

Priscille is currently attending the I.H. Asper School of Business where she continually maintains above average marks. She is in the Commerce program doing a major in accounting. She is a member of the Asper School of Business Accounting Association and participates with the Promoting Aboriginal Student Success and the Aboriginal Business Education Program Student Association, where she currently holds the position of treasurer. Aside from school and extra curricular activities, Priscille works in the Finance Department of Manitoba Hydro where she is gaining the experience she needs for her future career. She also trains in Muay Thai Kickboxing five times a week.

From a young age, Priscille knew she wanted to be in business. Her dream is to become a Certified General Accountant. Her family, friends, and co-workers serve as her role models and all have given her guidance in her personal, academic, and professional life. She has won numerous awards including the Aboriginal Business Education Program Scholarship, the Manitoba Public Insurance Bursary, and the Manitoba Hydro Bursary but her greatest achievement to date has been to successfully balance and dedicate her time to her work, and academic and athletic pursuits.

Travis Bighetty - Cultural Male Award

Nominated by Winnipeg boys and Girls Clubs Inc.

Travis Bighetty is a 24-year-old Swampy Cree youth from Mathias Colomb First Nation. Travis’ dedication and commitment to preserving his Aboriginal culture is apparent through the work he has done at school, with the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club Inc, and for the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre.

Travis graduated from Children of the Earth High School in 1998 with numerous awards, including the Point Douglas Award and the Royal Bank Award. In 2002, he completed his first year of Engineering at the University of Manitoba. Travis was chosen to be a Volunteer Awards Captain for the North American Indigenous Games where he awarded medals to athletes.

Later, Travis enrolled in the Youth Recreation Activity Worker Program at Red River College, in pursuit of his life-long dream to work with children in need. He graduated from the program in 2004 with honours.

During his studies Travis was willing to share his cultural knowledge with his fellow students, and brought to the program his personal understanding of the issues facing Aboriginal youth. His training included two practicums: one with Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre where Travis’ work included participation in the Pow Wow Clubs, Sweatlodge Ceremonies, Aboriginal Scouts and Cubs, and Camp Wii Gii Dii Win. Through these activities Travis was able to share the cultural knowledge gained from his elders and through ceremonies. Travis has continued to volunteer for Ma Mawi.

In his second placement, with the Boys and Girls Club, Travis facilitated programs and Cultural Activities for the children. He particularly enjoys being able to share his Aboriginal culture with children of different cultures.

Travis is a performing artist with the Red Wind Traditional Drum Group and has traveled across Canada and the United States singing, drumming, and teaching community awareness. Travis also enjoys martial arts, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Travis is committed to working with youth to teach them about Aboriginal culture, and hopes one day to open a youth drop-in centre in his home community.

Marlene McDougall - Cultural Female Award

Nominated by Nominated Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)

Marlene McDougall is a 23-year-old member of St. Theresa Point First Nation, Manitoba. Marlene is mother of seven-year-old son Powhtik.

Marlene attended high school at Children of the Earth High School where she graduated and earned a scholarship. After completion, she attended the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. She attended pow wows across Canada and the United States, videotaping them as she travelled.

She then took interest in visual arts and was accepted into the Aboriginal Broadcast Training Initiative in 2001. Excelling in broadcasting, Marlene completed her work experience at A Channel News where she worked closely with the producers and news reporters. After completion of her work experience she participated in the live broadcast of the 2002 North American Indigenous games.

Since graduation, Marlene has received an Award from the Canadian Film Television Producers Association and APTN for the National Administrative Management Web Internship at APTN. She worked closely with the Web Editor and the Director of Communications to manage the APTN Web site: aptn.ca. This Website was recognized as best corporate website of the year in 2003.

Marlene’s devotion to dancing has led her to travel in Canada and abroad. In 2000 she travelled to Quebec City to perform at Expo 2000. In 2003 she went to Lac Brochet to present awards for the 2003 Dene Gotheh Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards. Recently Marlene went to Sweden for two months with Nakota Nation Traditional Dance Troupe, whose mission was to educate the public on Aboriginal culture at an international level. There she performed women’s traditional dancing and sang on a hand drum.

Marlene lives by the traditional beliefs taught to her by her grandparents, parents, family and traditional teachers. She takes the time to share her culture with children. She taught pow wow dances to children at the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport and Aboriginal Achievement Centre, and has worked and volunteered for Ma Ma Wi Chi Itata’s Aboriginal Scouts Program and Pow Wow club.

Marlene’s plans for the future are to continue dancing and singing, operate her own business and to be a positive role model for Aboriginal youth and her peers by encouraging them to follow their dreams and aspirations.

Tracy Lynn Spence - Community/Volunteer Senior Award

Nominated by Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre

Tracy Lynn Spence, Rainbow Woman, is twenty years old and grew up in the North End of Winnipeg. She is in her final year of high school at Tec Voc High School. She plans on attending Red River Community College in 2005 to further her education in Youth Care work. Tracy stays connected to her culture as a Fancy Shawl dancer and as a singer with Sweetgrass Roads.

Tracy represented the Aboriginal community in the Miss Unity Beauty Pageant in 2002, was named Miss Indian and Metis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg, received the Miss Etiquette award. This past year, Tracy won the Community Service Award from the Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre for her dedication as a volunteer in the Lord Selkirk Community.

Tracy dedicates her time to keeping youth out of street gangs and away from crime. She participates in the Lighthouses project in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Thompson. This project works with 21 community organizations to keep youth out of trouble by providing after-school activities. Its goal is to reduce the number of youth involved in crimes and to keep youth out of courts and jails.

Tracy also volunteers with the Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre, where she is willing to take on any task, and often distributes flyers, recruits youth to the program, helps at ceremonies, dances, sings and is a member of the Youth Board.

Tracy has volunteered for numerous other organizations and groups such as Mama Wi Chi Itata Centre, Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre, and the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre.

Tracy’s dedication to helping youth comes from a personal tragedy; as her older brother, Joseph Beeper Spence was an innocent victim of gang violence. He was fatally shot in a gang drive by shooting in 1995. Since then, she has dedicated her life to helping youth be safe and stay away from gangs. She seeks truth and justice in every area of her life and shares her personal struggles to help youth make positive life choices.

Jason Harper - Community/Volunteer Junior Award

Nominated by NCI FM Radio St. Theresa Point

Jason Harper is a nineteen-year-old Aboriginal man who is deeply committed to the community of St. Theresa Point, where he has lived all his life.

Highly esteemed by his community for his endless hours spent volunteering, his efforts have included fundraising for the Children’s Miracle Telethon and working with Youth Org. Youth Org is a group of youth volunteers who devote themselves to organizing activities for young people and setting up youth development programs.

His enthusiasm has been instrumental in creating awareness on youth issues. His most successful effort – and perhaps the one that has endeared him most to his community - was fundraising for headstones for the graves of young people of St. Theresa Point. Among these was Jason’s sister, who died of kidney disease in 2001.

Jason also suffered from kidney disease and when his kidneys eventually failed, Jason’s mother performed his dialysis herself. There was no running water at that time, and just a wood stove to keep him warm. His mother worked hard to keep him alive. The nearest water pump was two miles away, and in winter she used a sled to haul water to sterilize his supplies for the ten-hour overnight dialysis.

Jason was unable to attend school or work during this period, and it was then that he decided to devote himself to volunteering in various capacities. In 1997, Jason had a successful kidney transplant, and now able to work, he is employed at the St. Theresa Point Radio Station. He continues to volunteer.

Jason’s experience with kidney disease has given him at deep awareness of the value of life. This appreciation for life motivates Jason to work at uniting the youth of St. Theresa Point. It is his passion to see the young people in his community embrace life and together overcome the many challenges they face.

Landis Scribe - Employment in a Traditional Field

Nominated by Nominated by Next Generation Network - Youth Leaders

Landis Murdock Scribe is nineteen years old and was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. At a young age, he moved to Carry-the-Kettle First Nation in Saskatchewan where he lived with his grandmother, Mary Rider. Landis dedicates himself to the preservation of traditional Aboriginal customs. He makes his own traditional dance regalia, and the beadwork he does provides a source of income.

Landis’ grandmother, an Assiniboine Sioux elder, imparted her strong traditional beliefs to Landis as he was growing up. She told him stories of how his grandfather, Charlie Rider, participated in ceremonies such as the Sundance. Her stories encouraged him to stay strong when he encountered difficult times as a teenager. He used her teachings to find strength to overcome the struggles that he faces in his everyday life.

He is a student at a youth program through New Directions. In addition to his studies he works for Next Generation – Youth Leaders. The purpose of this program is to encourage Aboriginal youth in the City of Winnipeg by providing them with traditional and recreational activities. Previously a participant in the program Landis now works for them as a youth leader. He leads sharing circles and sweat lodges, teaches bead working and traditional dance and counsels other youth. He serves as a role model to the group’s young participants.

Landis is an accomplished flute player and traditional dancer. He has performed on NCI radio and on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network. He takes pride in the continuation of his teachings through the artistry of his work.

Landis has two goals at present: to complete his grade 12 diploma, and to obtain full-time employment where he can use his traditional skills and cultural knowledge.

Julie Lafreniere - Personal Achievement Senior Award

Nominated by University of Manitoba ACCESS Programs

Julie is a young Metis woman who was raised in Winnipeg with roots in Camperville, Manitoba. In high school, Julie was one of the top-ranked basketball players in the province, and spent three years on the provincial team. As a result, she was recruited by the University of Manitoba’s athletic department.

Julie loved playing basketball but soon realized that she was unprepared for university and didn’t last the academic year. Soon after she quit university, she moved out on her own.

A year later Julie became a mother and she made the decision to go back to university for her son’s sake. She and her new family moved closer to school; however, she soon became a single mother. Solely responsible to support herself and her son, Julie’s grades began to suffer.

Julie found the strength turn things around. She caught up on her courses, got a part-time job in a call centre, and applied for every scholarship and bursary available to her. She received the Business Council of Manitoba’s Aboriginal Education Award in 2003 and 2004, the 2004 National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Post Secondary Scholarship, and numerous bursaries. Julie turned to her old love, athletics, as a means of dealing with stress.

Going to university has made her determined that she and her son will know their heritage, and they frequently attend pow wows and other events. She is an active member of the Aboriginal Students’ Association Student Council, and the University of Manitoba’s “U” Crew, whose job is to promote post-secondary education to aboriginal people at job fairs.

Now 21 years old, Julie will earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in May of 2005, with a major in Native Studies. She will apply to the Faculty of Education, as she would like to teach Native Studies in a Northern community.
Her academic and extra-curricular pursuits are driven by her newly found passion for education, her heritage and love for her people. Julie has found balance in her life and says, “We are a strong, resilient people, and as we acquire Western knowledge, we must not forget the traditional ways.”

Earl Cook - Personal Achievement Junior Award

Nominated by Hydra House Inc.

Earl is a young man who has endured many barriers – yet has managed to overcome and succeed despite these challenges Earl was born in Thompson Manitoba with roots in Pimicikamak (Cross Lake) First Nation.

Earl lives with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Tourette’s syndrome. He has lived in fourteen different foster homes since he was two years old.

By grade 7 Earl was unable to participate in regular classes as the effects of his disability made it difficult for him to sit through class.

Earl’s world began to change with the love and support of his current foster family, some dedicated teachers at Arthur A. Leach School and support workers at Hydra House. He began counselling and resource work at school, and most importantly he decided to take responsibility for his life. Halfway through the year Earl began to attend regular classes. By taking breaks when needed he was able to complete regular grade-level work with some modifications.

Earl’s teachers and foster family have watched him mature and grow as he refused to be defined by his disability. He made the honour roll several times during his three years at Arthur A. Leach School. His former drama teacher praises him for the enthusiasm, energy, and sense of humour that he brought to her class. He loves sports, especially hockey, and enjoys playing goaltender in the River Heights Recreation hockey league.

One of Earl’s goals is to become a physical education teacher, and those around him have every confidence that he will succeed. He is also determined to educate people on the effects alcohol has on unborn babies so children, including his, will not have to deal with what he has gone through.

He now attends Vincent Massey High School as a Senior 2 student and is proud that he is attending regular classes. Wherever Earl goes, his positive, happy and caring personality continues to touch the lives of those around him.