Every year the National Métis Youth Role Model Program asks for nominations for its awards the quality of the youths' achievements continues to raise the bar. They are truly outstanding! We would like to share with you the list of the 2005 winners with a brief overview of their successes, because we know that everyone one of these youth are worth sharing with the Métis community.

Alison Croft
24 years
Dorset, ON
CAREER ADVANCEMENT

Alison has developed innovative research techniques in the micro-water biology field as a Lead Technician. In her two years of professional experience, she has worked with she has honed her skills with water purification techniques, culturing zooplankton and algae; she has developed new software for ecologists. She even developed a new field laboratory for graduate students and is now responsible for all aspects of training at this lab. Throughout her Bachelor of Science studies in Biology at York University, she participated in various research internships with York University, the University of Toronto Culture Collection, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. She so excelled with these internships that they have hired her following graduation, and she continued to work as a Limnology Laboratory Technician and Limnology Field Technician. She demonstrates commitment to life long learning as she is now enrolled in a Master's degree in Biology. Her outgoing personality and leadership qualities will motivate Métis youth by leading by example. She helps with local emergencies as a member of the Dorset Volunteer Fire Fighter's Association. Alison is also a revered provincial rugby champion.

Amanda Lepine
19 years
Elizabeth Métis Settlement, AB
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

For Athletic achievement we are pleased to announce that our very own Amanda Lepine from Elizabeth Métis Settlement in Alberta has taken the stage with her exceptional abilities and talent in the hockey rink. At the tender age of two Amanda first put on the skates, began her hockey endeavors at the age of four, and ever since, has excelled in the traditionally-male sport. Amanda's exceptional grades in high school led to two hockey scholarships being offered from the prestigious Yale University and the other from Mercyhurst (located by Lake Erie), both in the United States. Hockey drives Amanda and she has played for teams across Canada, and even in Europe, receiving such awards as: All-star Forward Award and MVP Award from Native Provincials. She also received the All-star Center, MVP of Tournament, Top Scorer, and Heart and Soul Award at the Federation Cup (for the 8 Settlements in Alberta Annual Hockey Tournament). Her dedication to the sport involved years of traveling on the road, and even staying with other families. Her motivation for other women was demonstrated when she organized a midget-girls team 6 years ago that continues to this today. She assists in organizing, volunteering, fundraising and attracting fans, and she is a drug-free athlete who shows dedication and commitment with every challenge she is faced with.

Andrea Kastendieck
24 years
Lethbridge, AB
HARRY DANIELS AWARD

Andrea has spent the greater part of her life overcoming challenges and obstacles, having a childhood filled with poverty, absent parents, family drug and alcohol addictions and two younger siblings that need to be taken care of. She tried to keep the household running while maintaining perfect grades and volunteering at the hospital. When she was sixteen she found out she was pregnant, and so made the right choices for herself and her baby - she changed her environment and went back to complete high school. But, a high school diploma wasn't enough for her so she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge pre Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education, passing all her courses. She worked every summer to support her and her son, as well as putting her time in for the Métis Nation of Alberta's Lethbridge Local. Andrea was in the midst of her last professional semester before graduating when her son became ill. After being told that he will need numerous surgeries and lengthy recovery time she decided that her best option was to postpone her internship and graduation and start again in September 2005. What makes Andrea a Role Model is that she can continue to walk the right path and be a Role Model for her community, despite the many challenges the have come her way.

Chase McMurren
18 years
Lethbridge, AB
VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Chase is a recipient of the Rotary Club's Good Citizenship Award for extensive school and community involvement; he also received a "Leader of Tomorrow" award from Volunteer Lethbridge for having made "outstanding contributions to his community through volunteering". He has volunteered in the last several years in many different capacities: Students' Council Fine Arts Chair, National Honour Society, SADD committee, Value-based Education Committee, ISCF and Grad Committee and was involved in the music and athletic programs at his school. Chase has organized fundraisers like: "Loonies for Life" campaign, "Bare Necessities" drive and a school barbeque to raise funds for a student with cancer. Many local, provincial and national organizations have benefited from Chase's volunteering - the Arthritis Society, the Kidney Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Pemmican Lodge, Good Samaritan Society, Operation Red Nose, Galbraith School, Read-On Adult Literacy Program and the West Side Elementary Schools choir. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Lethbridge Métis Local. He is presently attending the University of Lethbridge as a Pre-Bachelor of Education student, with hopes of becoming a teacher. Chase consistently sets an admirable example for those around him through his efforts to excel in all that he does.

Cory Vitt
22 years
Selkirk, MB
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

This spring Cory will be one of the youngest Métis in Canada with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He has been on the Dean's Honour Roll at the University of Manitoba for five consecutive years with an outstanding grade point average. He has been invited to pursue a Master's degree at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. Cory has earned five consecutive National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Scholarships, and a host of other awards from ENGAP, Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation, APGEM, Business Council of Manitoba, NSERC, and the list goes on. His awards and achievements have totaled over $60,000 in educational funding, including the assistance of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Cory received a Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award for Junior Academic his first year in University, and co-founded the Engineering Access Student Association that promoted the accessibility of education and supports for Aboriginal students in engineering. His work experience so far includes engineering technologist roles with Manitoba Aboriginal Affairs, Syncrude Canada and the U of M. He is also a member of the U of M's wrestling team. Cory inspires and motivates others to achieve their goals, expand their world and put forward their very best effort in everything they do.

Jason Madden
28 years, Ottawa, ON
Lii Zhenn Michif di Graand Onneur - Metis Youth of Great Honour

Jason is a revered lawyer in Canada that has represented the Métis Nation in the Supreme Court, most notably for the Powley case, as well as on numerous other provincial court cases setting precedent throughout the country on many levels of the Métis Rights Agenda. He has represented the Métis Nation at international delegations such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa and the Human Rights Commission in Geneva and New York. While studying law at Osgoode Hall, he was the Chair of the Métis National Youth Advisory Council (MNYAC) in its early years and was instrumental in establishing the National Métis Youth Programs we have today. His sacrifices and commitment to our people is unabated, and for this, Jason's outstanding achievements inspired the MNYAC to create this new award with him as the inaugural recipient.

Kikino Northern Lites Dancers
Kikino Métis Settlement, AB
GROUP ACHIEVEMENT

This group of Métis youth has proven that involvement with activities, that promote positive choices through cultural and community activism, can help them develop into strong individuals. The commitment and dedication of their dancers have enabled this organization to continue a dream that started in 1978, by a group of Métis Elders who identified a need to teach their young people Métis Dance and music, and at the same time, keep them out of trouble. These youths support their activities through fundraising, which they in-turn promote events they perform at, locally and across Western Canada. The dancers have created a website that promotes "Positive choices through music and dance". Their goal is to promote, preserve and maintain the Métis Culture, and this helps to sustain community wellness. The youth participants develop presentation and marketing skills, and a business-sense as they work to sustain cultural activities. If one can measure pride, self-esteem and confidence then this is the most significant accomplishment that each of these youth have received from promoting their Métis heritage.

Mario Dupont
16 years, St. Georges, MB
MÉTIS CULTURE
& HERITAGE

Mario embodies the spirit of the Métis Nation through his sense of community wellness, leadership at cultural events, and commitment to achieving countless personal goals. Mario recently received the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award for Artistic Performance for his fiddling, of which he first picked it up two years ago - he was so passionate about sharing his Métis heritage that within months he was soon the featured fiddler at events at home and abroad. His talents as an accomplished fiddler played a major role in his family being the face of Official Voyageur Family for the Festival du Voyageur in MB. Mario also teaches fiddle lessons to children in grades 1 - 4 as well as in the larger community. Mario is an incredible individual who is a top academic in school, an outstanding athlete with more than 40 medals and titles from local to international (despite having scoliosis since birth), and is a recognized bi-lingual public speaker.

Nicole Denbow
12 years, Boissevain, MB
MAMAKWASESUK
(YOUTH AGE 10-15)

Nicole is an outstanding young lady, who if she so decides, will run the Métis Nation one day. She has actively fundraised for numerous charities and causes for her community, helping them take part in activities such as jigging and fiddle lessons, as well as Ernie's runners and The Terry Fox Run. Nicole is a youth reporter for the Turtle Mountain local newsletter, writing complex to fun articles such as "Where's Our Lumber Going?" and "Traditional & Break Dancing mixed, cool". She has won multiple humanitarian awards, as listed in the local newsletter; along with efforts to increase her knowledge of the Métis Nation, she has completed Trapper Education Programs and won multiple awards for the junior rifle club. She has taken part in many community events, often times, for her jigging and other times just for the spirit of volunteering to help the Nation out. Nicole is the first recipient of the Mamakwasesuk award, an impressive 12 year-old, nominated by the Manitoba Métis Federation Southwest Region.

Ryan Bresser
26 years, Victoria, BC
PIERRE FALÇON AWARD for ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT

Ryan is an exceptional musician who at the age of 26, has already traveled to 17 different countries, including India, Laos and Turkey. Listening to his music one can feel the effort, heart and soul he puts into his creations. He plays the bass guitar, banjo, guitar, piano, harmonica, has the voice of a Métis angel, and with this, teaches over 40 students a week, at the moment. In addition to his extraordinary talent, Ryan has also launched a music production business in Victoria, called Yellow Tilt that focuses on developing Aboriginal musicians. Ryan plans to release four albums in this next year through his record label. With these resources and tools at his arm's length he assisted with digitizing old recordings of interviews with local Elders, thereby using his skills to preserve traditional knowledge. His leadership abilities are further demonstrated as he applied his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and History to teach Kindergarten to Grade 12. With vision, talent and strong leadership abilities, this first-ever recipient of the Pierre Falçon Award for Artistic Achievement is sure to do great things with his life.