Dawnis Kennedy - Academic Senior Award

Nominated by Roseau River Education Authority 

Dawnis is a 21 year old member of the Roseau river Anishnaabe First Nation and attends Brandon University. She is majoring in Native Studies and has maintained an outstanding grade point average of 4.0. Dawnis's superb academic record has been recognized by her professors, university administration as well as her sponsors at Ginew Education Authority. 

Dawnis is very active in extra activities in the University as well as the Brandon Friendship Centre. She has organized cultural events and conferences as well as worked on such projects as the Boys and Girls Club of Brandon and the Keepers of the Land Youth Empowerment Camp. During her spare time Dawnis has been very dedicated in persevering and promoting her Ojibway culture. She attends Pow Wows and ceremonies as well as teaches youth about their culture. This path has led her to a drug and alcohol free lifestyle. Dawnis plans on attending law school in the next academic year. 

Jennifer Shannacappo - Academic Junior Award

Nominated by  Rolling River Education Council 

Jennifer is a 19 year old member of the Rolling River First Nation born in Minnedosa and growing up in both Rolling River and Winnipeg. She is currently enrolled in arts and sciences at the University of Winnipeg. Jennifer has recently received 3 scholarships in recognition of her academic excellence. 

Jennifer has exhibited a strong work ethic from an early age which has put her in a variety of summer jobs since her early teenage years. Jennifer is a graduate of the "Possibilities" youth internship program which puts youth under the mentorship of an employee of the Bank of Montreal. Watching her disabled mother find the strength to be an advocate for other disabled First Nation People has given her the example to follow in her own life. Jennifer hopes to one day work in the Aboriginal community as a child psychologist. 

Elizabeth Keeper - Artistic Performance Award

Nominated by Ecole Secondaire Churchill 

Elizabeth is a 16 year old Metis woman who was born in Nepean, Ontario and has lived in Winnipeg for the last 10 years. She first got involved in theatre 5 years ago at the Prairie Theatre Exchange where she took acting lessons. Her experience with the performing arts expanded upon her entry to Ecole Secondaire Churchill drama classes. Her flare for theatre has enabled Elizabeth to explore many facets of this art. She now has experience with writing, producing, and acting in plays as well as video productions. At Le Festival Theatre Jeunesse, a prestigious French language theatre contest, she won silver, gold, and bronze medals respectively over 3 years for best actress and supporting actress. 

When she is not involved in theatre, she keeps a very busy schedule with cultural pursuits, volunteering with elders and children. For the past four years she has been involved with army cadets and she would like to become a career officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

Welland Slater - Artistic Visual Award

Nominated by Gerald Slater

Welland is a 24 year old member of the Peguis First Nation and has lived in Winnipeg's north end for the past 21 years. A talented painter and free hand artist, Welland expanded his interests in the visual arts when he was accepted into the Aboriginal Broadcast Training Initiative in 1997. Excelling in camera operations, Welland has participated in numerous productions such as documentaries about Phil Fontaine, Winnipeg gangs, and also covering the 1997 Indigenous Games In Victoria B.C. 

Since graduating, Welland has worked on the well known Aboriginal arts and entertainment program " The Sharing Circle" as well as being a tutor/mentor for new students at the Aboriginal Broadcast Initiative. Recently, Ryan went to Baghdad, Iraq with Native rights activist Terrance Nelson to film the effects of the United Nations embargo on the children of that country. Welland plans to continue his education in the art of broadcasting in hopes of helping to change the negative stereotypes of Aboriginal People that are perpetrated by the media.

Arthur Cook  - Athletic Senior Award

Nominated by Peguis First Nation

Arthur is a 20 year old member of the Peguis First Nation. He was born in Winnipeg and lived there until he was 14, after which his family moved to Peguis. He is the current Canadian Amateur Superheavyweight Champion boxer. Arthur he recently been trying to receive Specialized training in order for him to compete internationally at the Pan Am Games and the Olympics. He won gold in his weight division as a member of the team that represented Manitoba at the 1997 North American Indigenous Games in Victoria B.C. 

Arthur is gaining a reputation as a fighter to be reckoned with as he defeats opponents who have fought literally hundreds of more matches than he has. His devotion to the "sweet science", as he calls it, outside as well as inside the ring is shown by his advocacy on behalf of his sport in the community of Peguis. Arthur hopes to one day have his own boxing club on the reserve so that other young fighters can have some of the advantages that he hasn't. 

Preston and Gabriel Mandamin - Athletic Junior Award

Nominated by Larry Wuchere and the Manitoba Marlins

Twins Preston and Gabriel Mandamin are 17 year old members of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation. Residing in Winnipeg since 1989, the twins started swimming with the Manitoba Marlins Swim Club in1990. Their natural ability put them in the top provincial ranks within their first year of competitions. Preston and Gabriel have both won the City of Winnipeg "Awards of Merit" twice for their performance at the provincial championships and have also been presented with the Province of Manitoba Sports Excellence Achievement Awards on numerous occasions. They also have an impressive collection of over one hundred medals and several hundred ribbons. 

The twins are currently Grade 12 students at Kelvin High School and plan on continuing to compete at the university, national, and international levels. They hope to attend the University of Manitoba or Alberta where high performance centers for swimming have been established. Recruiters from American universities have been looking at both Preston and Gabriel for potential athletic scholarships. They are both interested in careers in medicine of law. 

Lauren Campbell - Business Entrepreneurial Award

Nominated by Aboriginal Business Education Program, University of Manitoba 

Lauren is a 21 year old Metis woman born in New Zealand and moved back with her family in Winnipeg in 1990. Lauren attended Glenlawn Collegiate and graduated from grade 12. She took a year off and traveled back to New Zealand. Upon her return in 1995, Lauren commenced her studies at the University of Manitoba with the Aboriginal Business Education Program. She is currently in her 3rd year of Management Studies working towards a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree. Lauren's areas of interest include international business, finance, and marketing which has led her to Plymouth, England where she is on an international student exchange. 

Over the summer Lauren made a very strong impression on the host of her internship, Carghill Limited, where her work was considered excellent because of her hard work and strong interpersonal skills. Her exceptional efforts in her studies have put her on the Dean's Honour List for 2 consecutive years with a grade point average of 36.3. Lauren's long term goal is to operate a business in the Aboriginal community so she can contribute to the strengthening of the community. 

Oswald Barkman - Cultural Male Award

 Nominated by Jennifer Waytiuk

Oswald is a 23 year old member of the Garden Hill First Nation. He currently attends the University of Winnipeg in the education program. During the last 5 years, he has danced throughout North America and placed in competitions at many of the Pow Wows he has attended. Oswald is fluent is the Oji-Cree language, and was taught from a very early age the skills of surviving in the Northern woods of Manitoba. 

He credits his parents and grandparents for introducing him to the teachings that he lives by. Oswald not only dances but also practices traditional singing, sweat lodges, and has even participated in the smokehouse of the West Coast First Nations. He is a graduate of the B.C. Tribal Justice Institute program for tribal police officers, and worked in his community as a band constable. Oswald is currently looking forward to entering the teaching profession. 

Rebecca Nepinak  - Cultural Female Award

 Nominated by The Sharing Circle

Rebecca is an 18 year old member of the Pine Creek First Nation who has resided in Winnipeg all of her life. She is currently pursuing journalism at the University of Winnipeg. Her spirit name is Scattering-North-Wind and she is a jingle dress dancer. Rebecca is one of the original members of the Summer Bear Dance Troupe. She lives by the traditional beliefs taught to her by her parents and hopes that she can help change the image of Aboriginal People by sharing her positive lifestyle. Her devotion to dancing has led her to travel extensively throughout North America and overseas. Rebecca has danced in a special project with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and has even gone to Australia to share her culture in the Aborigines "down under". 

She also spends a lot of time teaching children in various schools and community centres about dancing and culture. Currently, Rebecca works as a Rotary counsellor for Aboriginal youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Winnipeg. Her plans for the future are to pursue a career in journalism. 

Trudy Hart - Community/Volunteer Senior Award

Nominated by Fisher River Health Services 

Trudy is a 23 year old member of the Fisher River Cree Nation currently residing in Norway House. Trudy grew up in Fisher River and worked there as both a family violence and addictions counsellor upon her return from university four years ago. She has currently begun working on a fetal alcohol syndrome prevention project in Norway House, as the project coordinator. 

Her interests continue to grow from the teachings, philosophies and values of her culture. She is dedicated to helping youth develop strong connections to their traditions so that they can lead alcohol and drug free lives. Trudy displays a genuine interest in the needs of others and is a mature and positive young woman. She has great potential for leadership and commitment. Her long term goal is to continue her work in the area of health and wellness. 

James Zebrasky - Community/Volunteer Junior Award

Nominated by  R.B. Russell School and United Way

James is a 16 year old Metis man. Raised in the inner-city of Winnipeg, James has been involved in numerous youth activities for the past year. He has resisted the negative influences that lure so many of his peers and used his energies to work towards the betterment of his community. He is a member of the Youth Opportunity Project at R.B. Russell School where he works on such skills as public speaking and teamwork. Through his training at the Youth Opportunity Project, James started facilitating workshops and speaking to other groups of youth. 

James is also involved with the United Way of Winnipeg. He is their official spokesperson for inner-city youth and is also featured in their campaign advertising. James is looking forward to finishing high school and doing more work on behalf of the Aboriginal community.

Percy Raven - Employment in a Traditional Field

Nominated by Christina Bird

Percy is a 16 year old member of the Bloodvein First Nation, currently residing at the Little Black River First Nation. He attends junior high in Little Black River and pursues trapping and hunting as his after school job. His introduction to this occupation started at age eleven when his father took him out on his own trapline and showed him how to properly set traps and dress furs. He learned all the aspects of safe firearm usage from his father as they are also avid hunters. 

Percy enjoys spending much time on the land as possible because not only does he learn more every time that he goes out, this also gives him time to spend with his father. 

Frank Gott  - Personal Achievement Senior Award

Nominated by Sapotaweyak Cree Nation

Frank is a 24 year old member of the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation who grew up in the community and is currently residing in The Pas. After completing his Grade 12 at Winnipegosis Collegiate, he enrolled in and graduated from the First Nation Justice Institute program for Tribal Police officers in Mission, B.C. Frank is attending Keewatin Community College in The Pas working on a chemical engineering degree.

In Sapotaweyak, Frank is known for his hard work and devotion to the community. Frank works as a band constable during his summer vacation from school, this can be a difficult job to do, and he has been recognized by the community for this work. He was honoured by Sapotaweyak Cree Nation for his efforts relating to their Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement. Frank is seen as a role model for the youth of his community because of his alcohol and drug free lifestyle. His future goal is to be the first chemical engineer from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.

Grand Rapids First Nation Avalanche  - Personal Achievement Junior Award

Nominated by Grand Rapids First Nation Health Authority 

The Avalanche is a hockey team made up of 15 young women from the Grand Rapids First Nation in northern Manitoba. The team was started in April 1996 with 8 young women who wanted to start a girls hockey team. The girls raised the initial 10,000 dollars start up money for sweaters and equipment by staging a walk-a-thon from Grand Rapids to The Pas, which is a distance of 280 kilometers. For the past 2 years the only practice time they have been able to get was at 9:45 p.m., and with the warm winter of 97-98 this was not even very consistent. The team represented the Nor-Mans region at the M.T.S. Manitoba Games last winter where their direction and sportsmanship were widely recognized by the games organizers and the media. 

Despite the odds that they faced they never gave up, they demonstrated perseverance where others might have given up. The team thoroughly enjoys the game of hockey and plans to continue playing indefinitely.