Robin Billy - Academic Senior Award

Nominated by Center for Indigenous Education Resources

Robin is Shuswap originally from Adams Lake First Nation. He is a student enrolled in a First Nation Environment Education and Training Program. The program is highly demanding and challenges the student intellectual, physical and emotional endurance. Robin has maintained high marks that have been unsurpassed to date. 

Myles Horton - Academic Junior Award

Nominated by School District of Mystery Lake No. 2355 

Myles is Ininew (Cree) and a member of Nelson House First Nation. He is an academically gifted student, athlete and a positive role model to his peers. Myles has been named to the honor roll in all his high school years. He competed in national mathematics competitions. Myles has traveled to South Africa to address the current situation of Aboriginal youth in Canada. Myles is planning a career in medicine. 

Kimberly Halcrow - Artistic Performance Award

Nominated by Red Smoke Productions 

Kimberly is Ininew (Cree) and a member of Norway House First Nation. She is an actress with several stage credits. Kimberly has traveled in Europe to perform and teach people about the Aboriginal culture. She studied at the Manitoba theatre for Young People and is learning about every aspect of the theatre. Kimberly is directing a play with an all Aboriginal youth cast that hopes to grow into a theatre company. Her next step is to attend Native Theatre School in Toronto. 

Richard Manoakeesickr - Artistic Visual Award

Nominated by R.B. Russell School

Richard is Anishnaabe/Ininew (Oji-cree) from St. Theresa Point First Nation. He is planning a career in the Arts, which includes both visual and musical. Richard's art is diverse and he shares his gift with the community by painting murals for schools and special projects for the City of Winnipeg. He is also an accomplished musician who plays keyboards, guitar and bass guitar. His artistic talent has helped him to adjust to urban life.

Pamela Mayo  - Athletic Senior Award

Nominated by Irvin Hilts

Pamela is Anishnaabe (Ojibway) whose family originated from Peguis First Nations. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation/ Physical Therapy. Pam is employed at the Health Sciences Centre and is one of the five Aboriginal physiotherapists in Manitoba. She has excelled in the sport of Archery and has set ten Canadian records for the Junior Girls Freestyle Division. Pam won four, gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the Canadian Indoor & Outdoor Championships. 

Melissa Daniels - Athletic Junior Award

Nominated by Ecole Secondaire Churchill High School

Melissa is Anishnaabe (Ojibway) with roots in both Roseau River and Garden Hill First Nations. She is a student at Ecole Secondaire Churchill and her achievement both academically and sports are numerous. She has been captain of basketball and volleyball "Bulldog" teams. Melissa also plays baseball, rugby and football for Churchill High. She has a bronze medallion for swimming and also competes and has won ribbons in track and field. Melissa plan to play volleyball at the university level. She is an athlete who enjoys any physical challenge. 

Kelly Lee Hashemi - Business Entrepreneurial Award

Nominated by Flora House

Kelly is Anishnaabe (Ojibway) and her birth family is from Peguis. She is married and a mother of two children. Kelly is employed full-time and operates a restaurant in the Fort Rouge area of Winnipeg with her partner. She is active in the community by establishing parent groups, life skills program, sharing circles and various Aboriginal cultural activities for young adults. Kelly has a positive outlook and a vision for her people that inspires everyone she meets. 

Kevin Brownlee - Cultural Male Award

Nominated by First Nation Pavilion (Folklorama)

Kevin is Ininew (Cree) born in Winnipeg and raised in rural Manitoba. He has taken teachings from his Elders, a passion for Aboriginal history and combined it with a western education to develop an interesting career. Kevin has an internship at the Museum of Man & Nature. He specializes in reconstructing handmade stone tools, pottery, fire kits and traditional lifestyles. He is active in the community teaching the historical perspective of Aboriginal people to schools, community centres, youth groups and rehabilitation centres. Kevin has been the coordinator of the Anishnaabe Village at Earth Day and a director at the First Nations Folkorama Pavilion. 

Ramona Bird - Cultural Female Award

Nominated by Centre for Indigenous Education Resources

Ramona is Anishnaabe (Ojibway) and a band member of Peguis First Nation. She is a single parent of a daughter. Ramona was taught the traditional spiritual teachings and ceremonies of the Mediewin Lodge at a young age. She is now a first degree Mide-woman. 

Ramona is a full-time student at the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources in a program for First Nation youth. She has a deep commitment to excel in the field of environmental protection. Ramona has worked on an Environmental Impact Assessment Model based on traditional ecological knowledge and western scientific knowledge. 

Rebecca Lynn Chartrand - Community/Volunteer Senior Award

Nominated by Indigenous Theatre Collective

Rebecca is Anishnaabe (Ojibway) who was born and raised in Winnipeg. She is a student at the Winnipeg Education Centre/University of Manitoba in the Education Program. Rebecca is dedicated to promoting awareness of Aboriginal issues. 

She is active as an organizer, youth advocate and actress in the community. Rebecca believes that youth build strong identities and positives self-concepts by learning about their history and roots. She is a lead singer of a woman's hand drum group that uses every opportunity to sing and talk to youth. Rebecca has spent the past two summers in Switzerland singing and promoting the culture of Aboriginal people. 

James Zebrasky - Community/Volunteer Junior Award

Nominated by  ACCESS/Special Pre-Medical Studies Program, University of Manitoba

Amy is Metis woman who was born and raised in Winnipeg. She is a student in the ACCESS/Special Pre-Medical Studies Program at the University of Manitoba. Amy's role as a student, peer counsellor and aerobics instructor demands leadership and demonstrates a holistic approach to living by bringing together mind, body and spirit. Her long term career goal is to become a doctor. 

Kevin Cook - Employment in a Traditional Field

Nominated by Miskoosipi School (Bloodvein)

Kevin is Anishnaabe (Ojibway) and a member of Bloodvein First Nation. He started hunting and fishing as an after-school interest which has grown into his career goal. Kevin has his own twenty foot fibreglass yawl that he bought from part-time employment. He plans on a career as a self-employed commercial fisherman and continues to learn the trade from his family. Kevin is working on completing his high school education. 

Marilyn Alcorn- Personal Achievement Senior Award

Nominated by Ma Ma Wi WI Chi Itata Centre Youth Program

Marilyn is a Metis / Ininew (Cree) Woman who was born in Flin Flon Manitoba. She is currently enrolled in the social work program at the University of Manitoba / Winnipeg Education Centre. Marilyn has dealt with many personal issues with courage and integrity. She turned negative experiences in to active community involvement. Marilyn was a founding member of the Bear Clan patrol and volunteered in an Aboriginal cultural awareness program with the Winnipeg police force for two years. 

Joseph James Houle  - Personal Achievement Junior Award

Nominated by MacDonald Youth Services

Joseph is Anishnaabe (Ojibway) and a member of Sandy Bay Fist Nation. He was recognized for accomplishing his goals despite many obstacles. Joseph's courage, persistence and desire to succeed helped him through his difficult times. He has a love for life and a respect for people that enriches the lives of all who meet him. Joseph is attending providence bible college, enrolled in the aviation program. He plans a career with the RCMP.