Kristinn Frederickson - Academic Senior Award

Nominated by University of Manitoba Engineering Access Program

Kristinn is a 22 year old man of Metis descent who has lived most of his life in Stonewall, Manitoba. He has been attending the University of Manitoba and completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Biosystems Engineering with a minor in Management. Kristinn works hard at his education. He has a 3.76 grade point average and has been on the Dean’s honour roll for the past two consecutive years. Currently, he’s working on a research project at the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

While he studies in Manitoba, Kristinn is well known on campus for being outgoing, creative and a leader among his peers. He has taken on many leadership roles within the Engineering student body and has gained the respect of both his peers and faculty for his creative abilities and hard work. A part of what keeps Kristinn motivated are his aspirations of helping the Aboriginal of Manitoba and Canada. Once he achieves his undergraduate degree 2002, he plans on continuing studying biosystems, working toward his Master’s degree. His proposed area of research, will be to find a solution to the mercury poisoning problem plaguing Manitoba’s northern communities.

With international experience, high academic achievement and a commitment to advancing the health of Aboriginal people, Kristinn has been recognized by many as an exceptional individual with a bright future to look ahead to.

Tiffany Yetman - Academic Junior Award

Nominated by R.D. Parker Collegiate

Tiffany is a 16 year old woman from Nisichiwayasihk Cree Nation and resides in Thompson, Manitoba. In grade nine Tiffany transferred from her school on the reserve to R.D. Parker Collegiate, where she has since been on the honour roll. She is currently in her senior year, and continues to maintain her high academic accomplishments in balance with all her other activities. 

Tiffany is the President of the Native Students' Association and sees many projects and fund raising efforts through to completion. She has won trophies, awards and medallions for her dedication in school. Tiffany also helped organize and lead the Aboriginal Youth Conference at her school where more than one-hundred northern youth attended. 

Tiffany's gifts are multi-faceted. She is he lead singer of the all-girl drum group called the "Little Thunderbirds", who have traveled throughout Canada and the USA sharing their vision of a better world through singing the songs of their ancestors. 

Tiffany is also an outstanding athlete. She plays key positions on both the volleyball and basketball teams at her school. After Tiffany graduates she hopes to attend the University of Manitoba or Saskatchewan. Her goal is to become a physiotherapist.

Moody X 2 - Artistic Performance Award

Nominated by Colleen Rajotte, Rajotte Productions

The singing duo of Moody X 2 consists of sisters Natashia and Alex Moody, who are members of Nishawayasihk Cree Nation. These singer/songwriters address youth concerns in songs that interweave in both English and Cree. They have performed with Buffy Saint Marie and opened for Susan Agluklark. They made hsitory in 1999 when they sang O' Canada in Cree at a Toronto Blue Jay's game and again at the Manitoba Legislative Building. They have performed extensively throughout Manitoba, across Canada and the USA. They have been to subject of two documentaries.

Moody X 2 released their first CD when they were eight and nine years old and have since made two more CDs. Their songs have a mix of hip-hop and aboriginal music, which bring messages of hope and encouragement. 

Natashia plays senior girls' volleyball and baseball and has won the title of "Miss Iron Person" in Nishawayasihk Cree Nation for three years in a row. Natashia excels in academics and is a committed member of the all girls drum group, the "Little Thunderbirds". She is currently holding the title of "Miss Manitoba First Nation" for the year 2001.

Alex loves to cook. She is on the junior girls' volleyball team and baseball team. Alex is a model at Panache Modeling Agency where she is taking classes to become a professional model. She entered in a model search and was a semi-finalist in 2001. She is also a dedicated member of the "Little Thunderbirds".

Riel Benn - Artistic Visual Award

Nominated by Roxann Barker

Riel is a 21 year old man of the Birdtail Sioux First Nation. At the age of 16, he picked up a paintbrush and begin transforming his ideas about life and living onto canvas. The works of art that emerged were profound. Riel is enhancing, modernizing and redefining what people think of when they year the phrase Aboriginal artist. 

In 1999 Riel went to Ottawa to receive YTV’s National Visual Art Award, chosen from among hundreds of participants from across the country. He and his work have been featured in publications like “Saturday Night”, “Your Source”, “The Vancouver Sun”, and televised on CBC Newsworld, CTV and the Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network. 

Riel’s work is truly unique. In one of his works he paints North American Indian Chiefs and warriors and puts them on the covers of pop culture magazines like people, Time Magazine and The Rolling Stone – it’s an image that alters one’s perception of the world. 

In Riel’s words, his “dream is to make life better for others, offering hope and encouragement along with strategies to stay on the path.” Through his work, he thinks he can “help people take pride in the way it was, the way it is and way it can be, if you believe in yourself and a higher power.”

Faith McDonald - Athletic Senior Award

Nominated by Kathleen McKay

Faith is a member of the Nishawayasihk Cree Nation. She has excelled as an athlete in the sport of hockey. Faith is a member of the Calgary Olympic Oval, Senior AA Women's Team. She is the only Aboriginal woman in the the Olympic Oval Program. 

Faith's athletic career began at age nine at the community outdoor skating rink, where she played hockey everyday with her cousins Desmond and Durmond. In her teens, Faith played on the Peewee, Bantam and Midget boys' hockey teams. It was during these years that she developed her skills as a player and found out that her heart belonged to hockey. At the age of sixteen, Faith left home to attend Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan on a full scholarship and the support of Nishawayasihk Cree Nation. In her senior year she transferred to the White Calf Collegiate to play for the Lebret Eagles Female Midget Hockey Team. Currently she lives in Calgary training in the Calgary Olympic Oval Program and attends Mount Royal College full-time. Faith's many accomplishments include numerous Most Valuable Player awards. Her most memorable accolade came from the Assistant coach of Team Canada, Walter Kozak, who said that she "had the hands of Gretzky." Her team's awards include: the Alberta Provincial Championships, the Western Canadian Shield, and the Women's Midget Tournament Championship. 

Faith's dedication and hard work in both hockey and education have earned her recognition as role model from her community, family and friends. She returns to her home community to help the youth empower themselves to follow their goals and dreams. Faith's biggest dream is to play for Team Canada. She is determined to make it a reality. 

Frank Young Jr. - Athletic Junior Award

Nominated by Bloodvein First Nation

Frank, age 19, is a member of the Bloodvein First Nation. He was born and raised in Bloodvein during his childhood years. He is currently enrolled in Tec Voc to complete his Grade 12 and also has a part-time job in a Recreation Technician Training Program.

He attended Miskooseepi School from nursery to Grade 9. In his junior high years he received a number of awards, including the Chief's Award in Grade 9, which was the top student award. He was also elected Junior Chief of the school and planned many activities and events for the students during that year, including the planning of a youth conference. As Junior Chief he gave the valedictorian speech for his class and shared with everyone his dream of becoming a high school football player.

He has played on the Tec Voc Hornets football team for the past three consecutive years. During his first year, he set 5 major goals that he hoped to accomplish: first, to start on both offense and defense; second, to become captain of the team; third - to received the best lineman award for his team; fourth, to be the centre-man of the team; and fifth, to make the honour role, as being one of the best linemen in the whole high school football league. During his third season, he fulfilled all the goals he had set for himself. In addition, he was also nominated for the Best Defensive Lineman of the Year award for the whole league. 

During the off season he played in the Blue & Gold game, which consisted of the best football players in Manitoba, the High School All-Star/Blue Bomber Alumni game, for which he was selected by all the coaches in the high school league, and in his league's Nationals, which was played in Winnipeg this year.

Playing high school football, Frank has learned that self-discipline is an important factor in becoming a good player. He also learned that teamwork is necessary for the team to be successful. His long term goal is to attend the University of Manitoba and to play for the Manitoba Bisons.

Business Entrepreneurial Award

Biography not available.

Glenn Tssessaze- Cultural Male Award

 Nominated by University of Manitoba Engineering Access Program

Glenn is a 23 year old Dene man who grew up with Dene a his first language. It wasn't until he left his home in Lac Brochet to attend school in Thompson where he learned English at the age of 14. He eventually returned to his community and graduated from High School in 1996. When he was 19 he was employed as the Community Health representative in Lac Brochet and studied for university through the distance education program. Glenn is now in his final year of studies working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Native Studies with a minor in political studies at the University of Manitoba. 

Glenn is focused on his goals and feels that he couldn't do it if he didn't have ceremonies and traditional teachings. Glenn is involved in spiritual ceremonies and is a helper and active participant in healing ceremonies, sweat lodge ceremonies and the sun dance. Glenn carries the medicine that shows how many can empower themselves through spiritual dreams and visions. 

As a volunteer with the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards, he recognized the importance of acknowledging the achievements of the youth. So much so, that he prepared a proposal and secured funding from his Chief and Council to launch the Dene Go'theh Youth Achievement Awards in Lac Brochet. The second annual awards were held in June of 2001, where 15 youth were honoured in seven areas. It has become an event that youth and community members look forward to every summer. 

Amberae Wood - Cultural Female Award

 Nominated by Janet Easter

Amberae is a 17 year old Oji-Cree young woman of Garden Hill, Manitoba and Chippewas of Nawash, Ontario. Currently she attends Dakota Collegiate and will graduate this spring. She maintains high grades in school and plans on continuing her education, in pursuit of a degree in the Sciences. 

Amberae has respect and admires her parents for showing her that she should always follow her dreams and accomplish as much as she can. The love from her family, the ancestors and the Creator have all helped Amberae to allow the spirit of life to burn within her. Amberae is an accomplished fancy shall dancer who has won many competitions across Canada and the USA. Last fall she participated in the Manitoba First Nations Princess Pageant and was the second runner-up. She also attended the First Nations Tribal Justice Institute in Mission, BC for two consecutive summers and won an award for the most physically fit. 

Amberae has been a co-host for the television production, Cool Jobs, which airs on the Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network. Last year she attended the Panache Modeling School, gaining the knowledge that would enhance her abilities as a model for the 2002 Indigenous Games. In the face of intense peer pressure to stray from the Red Road, Amberae remains a woman of strength and beaming cultural pride. 

Angela is currently in the two year after-degree program at the Faculty of Education and plans to pursue a doctorate in Native Studies. 

Tommy North - Community/Volunteer Senior Award

Nominated by Alexandra North 

Tommy, age 23 is a member of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation. He was born in Thompson and raised in Norway House, Pimicikamak and Winnipeg. Tommy graduated from high school at Otter Nelson River School in Pimicikamak. 

While living in Winnipeg, Tommy had some difficult years in junior high, and had some involvement with the law. In his Senior One year, he turned his life around with the assistance of his family and friends. Tommy worked hard to obtain good grades and found that giving back to the community helped him to make changes in his life.

In grade 12, Tommy returned to his home community of Pimicikamak Cree Nation. He became president of the student body. He worked on several committees such as the yearbook committee, graduation committee, Women' Council bingos, winter carnivals and Field Day Committees. He was also the school photographer. 

In 1997, he entered the University of Manitoba's Pre-medical Studies Program and completed two years. During university Tommy's dedication to volunteering did not stop. He believes that in helping people, not matter what race, in the long run good things will be returned to you. Tommy has volunteered his time to many U of M programs and events. He has volunteered at the Teddy Bear Picnic, Pan Am Games, Canadian Red Cross and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. He is currently a member of the Spence Street Patrol.

Tommy is currently taking a year off school. He plans to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree and go into the faculty of Nursing. His long-term goal is to enter medical school and become a doctor. 

Elissa Leforte - Community/Volunteer Junior Award

Nominated by Gail Roach-Leforte

Elissa is eighteen years old and a member of the Métis Nation. She was born and raised in Winnipeg. Currently she is in her senior year at Kelvin High School.

Elissa’s efforts in volunteering in the community have included: working with special needs children at Camp Manitou, one on one work with special needs children, and participating in various community functions and the War Child program. She co-coaches the Improv team at the Manitoba Theater for Young People where she is a role model for participants, and provides encouragement and support. Elissa spends time assisting her brother, who has autism, with his academic studies and with the development of his communication and social skills. 

Elissa has taken leadership roles in voicing concerns on many human rights issues for women, same-sex couples and children. She was helped organize a concert for War Child through the local group Tequila Mockingbird. Elissa is active in the Aboriginal Youth Group at Kelvin High, one of whose objectives is to understand the historical impacts of colonization on the role of Aboriginal people in society today.

Elissa’s first love and main interest is in theatre. She has been a member of her school’s the theatrical Improvisation team, who were the winners of a provincial championship and went on to compete at the national level in Ottawa. Elissa would like to use this medium as an avenue for teaching young people about discrimination, fairness and equality. Upon completion of High School, Elissa plans to study theatre in San Jacinto, California. 

Tyler Harper - Employment in a Traditional Field

Nominated by Wasagamack Education Authority

Tyler is a seventeen-year-old band member of Wasagamack First Nation. He continues to live and go to school in his community. Tyler is a Senior 2 student at George Knott School where he enjoys playing hockey, volleyball and hanging out with his friends. He is a fluent speaker of his language - Oji-Cree. 

Tyler's main interest is continuing his grandfathers' and father's traditional activities, such as living off the land, hunting, trapping and commercial fishing. Tyler can't remember a time when he didn't go with his family during commercial fishing season at Stevenson Lake. His father taught him how to live off the land, understand the land formations and how to survive in all weather conditions. At the age of ten, he started going hunting for ducks, gees and moose with his father. He killed his first moose at 14 years and has since killed two more. 

Tyler believes that all Aboriginal people have the responsibility to retain their language, culture and traditional way of life. His dream is to able to support himself by living off the land. His role models are all the people who have kept the culture and traditions alive. His long term goal is to complete his high school education. Tyler is exploring the possibilities of a career in Tourism or environmental protection. 

Kathleen McKay - Personal Achievement Senior Award

Nominated by Christina Fenner

Kathleen is 23 and was born and raised in Thompson, Manitoba. She is a member of the Pine Creek First Nation. Ever since Kathleen was a little girl she has shown an infectious love of life that has since allowed her to help younger generations in realizing that life is both wonderful and complex. 

Kathleen's mother and father have taken great care in teaching her about the traditional ways of her ancestors. Kathleen' mother taught her to bead, sew and cook. It is through these close family relationships that Kathleen has developed a strong vision of how she can help the people in her community.

Before transferring to the University of Manitoba in her final year of studies, she attended the University of Brandon. In 1999 Kathleen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. 

Kathleen has shared her expertise as an instructor in the delivery of courses in Early Childhood Education at Island Lake and in working with young women at a Winnipeg group home, and as a youth worker for Marymound North. She also was an Assistant Health Policy Analyst for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, and currently her role as a Case Manager in Nelson House.

Kathleen believes strongly that in using the seven traditional teachings of love, kindness, respect, honesty, truth, humility and sharing, she can help youth empower themselves and build their self-esteem. 

Alice Desjarlis - Personal Achievement Junior Award

Nominated by John Howard Society

Alice is a 19-year old woman who grew up in the North end of Winnipeg. She attended St. John's High School for her junior and senior years. Alice fell into a very loving relationship at a young age with her partner, David. When Alice was 15 years old, she had her first child. She experienced negative attitudes of others in their judgment of her because of this. Alice held her head up high and didn't let anyone get her down. She showed true courage in facing the challenges that lay ahead of her. 

A year later, Alice moved out of her parents' house and continued with her education. She was able to bring her daughter to school with her until she was two years old. While still attending school, Alice got a part-time job to help support her young family. 

Alice has persevered through many challenges and managed to attain her grade twelve diploma in June of 2000. When Alice was 18, she had her second child and returned to work only a short time later. One of Alice's dreams for the future is to pursue her education and excel at a higher level so that she can embark on a career in the Justice field. Alice values family and wants to provide her daughters with all they will need in life - so that they don't have to struggle like she did.