Andre Guiboche - Academic Senior Award

Nominated by Aboriginal Student Centre - University of Manitoba 

Andre is a 20 year old member of the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, born in Thompson and growing up in various communities in Manitoba. He is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Computer Science Degree at the University of Manitoba. He has recently completed a Computer Electronic Technology Diploma Program at Herzing Institute, where he maintained an"A" average. Many fellow students have been assisted by Andre's love of computers as he has helped tutor his peers at the university. 

Andre finished high school at the early age of 16 and continued on another year to graduate with well over 30 credits. He was recently honoured at the Annual Barbecue hosted by the Aboriginal Centre and the Aboriginal Students Association. He is a role model to youth who has a strong personal belief in a drug and alcohol free lifestyle. Andre has now entered his second year of studies and continues to score very high marks in his courses. 

Thera Lynn Sinclair - Academic Junior Award

Nominated by Aboriginal Single Window Initiative

Thera Lynn is a 16 year old member of the Sandy Bay First Nation and attends grade 11 at Kildonan East Collegiate. She has always loved school and is one year ahead in math, which means she can take University Calculus in Grade 12. Her math skills are shared with others as she tutors junior high and high school students at her school. 

Thera Lynn has been on the Honour Roll every semester since Grade 7. She has won her school's major awards including: Peer Tutor Award, Gold Cup Award, Gold Medal Award and the Fine Arts Award. This year she scored well above 90 percent in 6 of her full time courses. 

This summer, Thera Lynn has worked at the Royal Bank with the Aboriginal Workplace Orientation Initiative and hopes to pursue a career in Management. She would eventually like to open her own business or become involved as an accountant with the Self-Government process. Thera's achievements are not only scholastic, but are balanced with sports and being a positive leader for her peers. 

Tamara Muswagon - Artistic Performance Award

Nominated by Churchill High School

Tamara was born in Norway House and is a 16 year old member of the Cross Lake First Nation. Her father's employment as a bush pilot brought the opportunity to grow up in several towns in Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia. While living in Portage La Prairie with her grandmother, Tamara was introduced to the traditional ways of the ancestors. At the age of seven, she became a non-competitive Fancy Shawl Dancer. Given a Hand Drum by her father, her interest in the traditional ways was further fulfilled through traditional songs. The formation of Nay-A-No (People of the Four Winds), an all female drum group led to many opportunities to perform at various functions such as graduations, grand openings and banquets. The performing arts community has enhanced her devotion to her spirituality. 

Tamara is currently in Grade 10 at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in Winnipeg. She hopes to continue her studies at the university level to acquire a degree in Political Science and Law. By applying traditional beliefs and values into the politics of our communities, Tamara hopes to help bring about the needed changes in our communities. 

Clinton Houle - Artistic Visual Award

Nominated by New Directions 

Clinton is a 19 year old member of the Long Plains First Nation, born in Portage La Prairie and raised in Long Plains and Winnipeg. He started to draw when he was 6 years old, following the example of his father. At first he drew common objects, cartoon characters and other pictures for his relatives. When he began sharing his work with other students at his school, his teacher enrolled him in an art class at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. He found this bit of training very helpful and has continued to draw since. 

Like many youth, Clinton sometimes found himself with the wrong crowd and started to have trouble with the law, family and alcohol. Clinton started to learn about Aboriginal heritage from his uncle and soon became very interested in native artwork. As he viewed other native artists' work he began to create his own ideas. Using his artistic talent as an outlet, he has faced many challenges. He recently completed a program called Training Resources for Youth offered by New Directions. His drawings display his personal journey. Some of his art has been displayed and sold at the Medicine Wheel Art and Gift Shop in Portage, and local art shops in Winnipeg and Vancouver. He hopes one day to pursue a career as an Artist. 

Michelle Audy - Athletic Senior Award

Nominated by Swampy Cree Tribal Council

Michelle is a 20 year old member of the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. She has just returned from two years of College in Salina, Kansas on a Volleyball Scholarship. In addition to winning a volleyball scholarship, Michelle was on the Presidents Honour Roll 3 times while attaining her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Administration. She is able to manage a hectic lifestyle while maintaining excellent grades. 

She won Bronze as a member the volleyball team that represented Manitoba at the 1997 North American Indigenous Games in Victoria B.C. Michelle was on the team that won Gold at the Indigenous Games in Prince Albert, where she played on the Manitoba Team. Michelle has loved athletics since grade 6. At first it was basketball, but later her passion became volleyball. 

This fall upon her return to Winnipeg she is enrolled in Administrative Studies at the University of Winnipeg. Michelle will be trying out for the University of Winnipeg Wesman Volleyball team. Her long term goal is to get her Bachelors Degree and work towards the betterment of Aboriginal people. 

Darcy Stevenson - Athletic Junior Award

Nominated by Kelvin High School

Darcy is a 19 year old member of the Peguis First Nation. He currently attends the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. Darcy has excelled in Football, Hockey and Track & Field at the local, provincial and national levels. 

In 1992-93 Darcy received a gold in discus at the Manitoba High School Provincials and Silver medals in both javelin and shot put at the North American Indigenous Games. In 1994, he received gold in discus, javelin and shot put. He was Provincial Discus Champion for 95, 96 and 97. These and other awards earned him two Order of Sports Excellence Awards from the Province of Manitoba for Track & Field Accomplishments. 

Darcy has represented his community and the province of Manitoba in major Track & Field, Football and Hockey competitions, consistently winning Silver and Gold. These include the North American Indigenous Games, Canada Summer Games, Western Native Canadian Hockey Championships, as well as being the Captain of the Kelvin Clippers High School Football Team. Besides eventually completing a degree in Justice and Law, Darcy's dream is to qualify for the Olympics in Track & Field. Considering his past accomplishments his dream have every chance of being a reality. 

Darrick Baxter - Business Entrepreneurial Award

Nominated by Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development

Darrick is a 21 year old member of the Martin Falls First Nation and has lived in Winnipeg for most of his life. He has solely created Virtual Circle, an Internet advertising business that specializes in designing and marketing businesses. Darrick has demonstrated what a true business/entrepreneurial spirit can achieve. His Internet model encompasses both uniqueness and group qualities. His knowledge in computer systems coupled with his drive to develop his idea into a viable economic resource makes him an excellent role model. 

While living in Thunder Bay, Ontario Darrick was involved with the Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario as their representative on the "Coalition On Youth and Crime Committee" as well as on the "John Howard Society Board". He effectively endeavoured to represent the needs and issues of First Nations Youth. He has been a volunteer with the "Thunder Bay Healthy Lifestyle Coalition" as well as being featured on a poster promoting healthy lifestyles. 

His long term goal is to enter the faculty of law at the University of Manitoba and specialize in intergovernmental relations on an international level. 

Ryan Runearth - Cultural Male Award

 Nominated by White Bear Traditional Pow Wow Group

Ryan is a 17 year old member of the Sioux Valley First Nation. He currently attends Gordon Bell High School where his interests are in Geography and Community Service. During the past three years he has danced throughout North America, volunteering at hospitals, schools and various festivals. Ryan was a Folklorama Youth Ambassador for two years in a row and was also chosen to be the North American Ambassador for the Festival of Nations in St. Paul, Minnesota. Recently, he was presented with the distinguished Premier's Volunteer Services Award. 

Ryan has always had an interest in traditional teachings and has strived to share what he knows with other young people. On the Pow Wow Trail for much of the summer, He attends sweatlodges and Sundances when he can. Ryan has been dancing for 14 years and recently taught himself to Hoop Dance. He currently is involved at Gordon Bell High School where he is teachings pow wow dancing as well as traditional teachings. 

His goals for the future include attending university to attain a Social Work degree, and to apply spiritual and cultural beliefs in his approach to his career. He would like to focus on the issues that affect youth, such as drug and alcohol abuse, and to help make our communities better places to live and raise families. 

Michelle Champagne - Cultural Female Award

 Nominated by Children of the Earth High School

Michelle is a 17 year old member of Peguis First Nation who was born in Thunder Bay spent her growing up years in Winnipeg. She currently attends Children Of The Earth High School where she is in Garde 12. Her spirit name is Leading Horse Spirit Woman and she is a traditional jingle dress dancer. Michelle has sung in an all girls drum group called "Little Spirit Singers" for the past three years. By living her life according to traditional teachings she hopes to be a role model to younger youth: to show them that there is more to life than gangs, drugs and alcohol. 

Besides being a straight "A" student, she has attended the Sacred Assembly in Ottawa in 1995, the North American Pow Wow in Albuquerque in 1996 and has danced for dignitaries such as the Governor General of Canada and the Prince of Whales. She has performed at the Red River Ex, Folklorama and numerous community Pow Wows. Being a Youth Ambassador for the First Nations Pavilion at Folklorama was another way for Michelle to share her love for traditional music and dance. 

Michelle has previously won the Eagle Feather Award at Children of The Earth for her dedication to the traditional teachings. Michelle hopes to continue her studies at the University level.

Clayton Thomas-Muller - Community/Volunteer Senior Award

Nominated by Weetamah Newspaper, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg and Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development

Clayton is a 20 year old member of the Mathias Colomb First Nation. He was born and raised in Winnipeg and has also lived in Brandon and Terrence, B.C. Upon returning to Winnipeg in 1994, Clayton has been involved with the creation of an Urban Aboriginal Youth Council in cooperation with the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. He will be starting employment with Mediation Services. Clayton will work with first time youth offenders and will be referring them to alternative sentencing. 

His interests continues to grow from the teachings, philosophies and values of his culture. He is dedicated in helping to develop an education system that is culturally sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal children. 

Clayton displays a genuine interest in the needs of others and is a mature and positive young man. He has great potential for leadership and has shown it through his volunteer capacities. His long term goal is to attend university to get a degree in Economics and Political Science. 

Dustin Head - Community/Volunteer Junior Award

Nominated by The Pas Friendship Centre

Dustin is a 16 year old member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He currently attends Joe A. Ross School in Grade 11. His traditional name means "White Eagle Feather" and since the age of 12 he has been given the responsibility of caring for a white eagle feather. Dustin embraces traditional teachings in the way he relates to people in his many volunteer capacities. He values sharing with people the skills and knowledge that we learn as we grow. Dustin possesses the drive to make a difference for youth by his active participation: as the Opaskwayak Cree Nation youth rep on the Club 53 Youth Centre Board, fundraising and organizing dances, security and other activities of the Youth Centre, Youth Rep for The Pas Friendship Centre Board as well as volunteering in the Soup Kitchen. He recently received the Canada Day Award for his volunteerism in The Pas. 

Dustin participates wholeheartedly in everything he does and is a committed and reliable worker. He has been instrumental in helping to bridge the gap between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population of The Pas. Dustin is a Traditional dancer and has learned traditional teachings from his mother, grandparents and other extended family. 

Rene Simard - Employment in a Traditional Field

Nominated by Whitemouth School

Rene is a 20 year old member of the Hollow Water First Nation and grew up in Manigotogan. Influenced at an early age by his grandfather, he has learned and applied skills which has earned him an award from the North American Fur Auctions for his Red Fox Pelts. Growing up surrounded by wildlife, Rene loved the outdoors and often accompanied his family on hunting and fishing expeditions. His first trapline experiences came at an early age when he started spending weekends learning about trapping and hunting. 

Rene believes strongly in conservation of our natural environment and in particular the animals and birds that share it with us. To this end he completed training with the Manitoba Model Forest on the study and usage of GPS/GIS positioning units, terms to assess various impacts on the environment. 

Rene attends Whitemouth High School in Grade 12 and lives in Hadashville. He plans to study Wildlife Management and Natural Resources at Keewatin Community College in The Pas. He follows his role model, a cousin who completed his Natural Resource Officer program. Rene has worked during the summer at the Provincial Tree Nursery in Hadashville. 

Alphonse Henderson - Personal Achievement Senior Award

Nominated by Natasha Henderson

Alphonse is a 22 year old member of the Sagkeeng First Nation and has spent the majority of his life in Winnipeg. After successfully completing his grade 12 at the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre, he enlisted in the United States Navy and completed his basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois. Alphonse is currently stationed in San Diego. He was one of three on his ship to be chosen to take a Search and Rescue course. Alphonse was the only one who passed the gruelling requirements. 

While growing up in Winnipeg, Alphonse participated in Navy Cadets and Army Cadets. During this time he travelled to British Columbia for training. His love for martial arts has earned him a Red Belt with a Black Stripe from Kang's Taekwondo Academy. 

With encouragement and support, Alphonse has helped shatter stereotypes as he continues to achieve and live out his dreams, one of which is to join the prestigious Navy Seals of the United States Army. 

Ken Sanderson  - Personal Achievement Junior Award

Nominated by Phil Fontaine and Chastity McKay

Ken is an 18 year old member of the Fairford First Nation. Raised in St. Boniface, Ken has recently started following a spiritual path, one which has shown him the traditional ways of his people. In a powerful dream and with inspiration from his aunt Doreen and ancle Selywn, Ken has started a healing journey which will inspire others.

Ken just completed summer employment at the Anoikiwin Training Institute and is currently enrolled at the University of Winnipeg in the Faculty of Architecture.

In his spare time away from his academic studies, Ken is involved on the Board of the Aboriginal Workplace Orientation Initiative as well as being the youth representative on the Board of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata.

He graduated with honours from Nelson McIntrye Collegiate in 1996. During high school he received several awards for his creative writing. He actively commits his time to the creation of an Aboriginal Youth Council for youth to deal with youth issues.