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Jack Lavallee - Academic Senior Award |
Nominated by University of Manitoba Engineering Access Program |
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He excelled in his academics, receiving awards in almost every subject in High School. Jack has received numerous awards and scholarships including entrance scholarships from the University of Manitoba, CUPE, Manitoba Hydro, and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. Jack is currently a student at the University of Manitoba and is enrolled in the Department of Civil Engineering. He has served as a mentor to first and second year students, tutoring in Math, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and AutoCAD. Today Jack has a GPA of 3.11. He is a teacher’s assistant for the Visual BASIC and Introduction to Calculus class, and is a member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers. |
Ashley Blais - Academic Junior Award |
Nominated by University of Manitoba Access Program |
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Despite personal and family struggles, Ashley graduated with honours from St. Norbert Collegiate in June of 2002 with her French Immersion Diploma and was Valedictorian of her graduating class. Ashley received many academic awards and served as an excellent role model for her younger brother and other students. Ashley was actively involved in many activities both within and outside of school, gaining the respect and admiration of her teachers and peers. She was a part of the homework club where she volunteered one lunch hour per week to assist other students with their studies. She volunteered once a week with the Winnipeg Humane Society. Ashley also participated in St. Norbert Collegiate’s peer counseling program, G.R.O.W. Ashley is a firm believer that if someone is dedicated to something, that person can achieve what they want. Ashley is a wonderful example of this. She has worked hard to get where she is today. Ashley is currently enrolled the University of Manitoba in the special Premedical Studies Program. She plans to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree and apply to the Faculty of Medicine. Her future goal is to become a doctor, so that she can give back to the people and community who have helped her get this far. as dedicated as Ashley is, one can be certain that she will do just that. |
Community Action Program - Artistic Performance Award |
Nominated by Jay Willman, R.B. Russell High School |
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Melanie Nepinak - Artistic Visual Award |
Nominated by Lisa Meeches, Eagle Vision/Meeches Productions |
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Melanie leads a very active life. She has attended school in the St. James area and is presently in Grade 11/12 at Westwood Collegiate where she is majoring in the Arts Program and is currently on the Honour Roll. She has been involved at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People as well as other video projects. Melanie has many interests. She was selected to be a part of the summer camp at the Women’s Television Network in 1998 and in 1999 she was a Junior Camp Counsellor. Through the mentorship of Jackie Friesen and Shirley Muir she has made tremendous strides in pursuing her goals in the multi-media industry. She has co – produced some short videos and is always in pursuit of new challenges. With her sisters in partnership, she has launched a business in videography. She is the president. Her company’s name, Makoose Productions, means “Little Bear” in the Ojibway language. She has several independent projects on the go. Most recently, she was involved with a video production with Tina Keeper with the support of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. This video will be part of an educational tool to be shown to all First Nations communities. Melanie is a traditional and jingle dancer in the Ojibway Nation and is part of the SummerBear Dance Troupe. She has emceed various events and shows. She is also as avid snow boarder and plays in the all-female hockey team for the Westwood Warriors. |
Russell Spence - Athletic Senior Award |
Nominated by Charlene Beamin |
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Gazhegwenabeek (Gazheek) Morrisseau-Sinclair. - Athletic Junior Award |
Nominated by Evelyne Holenski, Softball Canada |
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Gazheek has played many sports such as: hockey, basketball, ringette, fastball, volleyball, and soccer, although her true passion lies with hockey and baseball; the positions she plays are catcher and goalie. Currently Gazheek is playing for the University of Winnipeg Senior Women's Hockey team, and has accepted a fastball scholarship offered from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Gahzeek also assisted Manitoba win a Gold medal in Senior Women's Softball at the North American Indigenous Games. Gazheek's commitment to family and the community, her natural leadership abilities, her academic achievements and athletic talents make her a natural role model for children of all ages. Gazheek's goal is to teach children. She says, "I find that children are wonderful people. The know how to enjoy life and all the simplicity surrounding it. If you keep an open mind and listen to them, you can learn a lot from a child." |
Terry Brown - Business Entrepreneurial Award |
Nominated by Aboriginal Business Ed. Program, University of Manitoba |
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After graduating from Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School in Selkirk with Honour Roll status, Terry began his university career which spanned the years 1997-2002, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) with a double major in Marketing and Aboriginal Business Studies. It is significant that in a faculty with approximately 1600 students, and 400 graduating annually, that Terry was only the third graduate from the faculty with an Aboriginal Business Studies Major. During his time, Terry excelled in his studies and maintained an active life as a volunteer in numerous university and community activities, including Big Brothers, The Children's Wish Foundation, Boy's & Girl's clubs, the University of Manitoba Student Leader program, the Aboriginal Commerce Student's Association, and The University of Manitoba Student's Union. His other accomplishments include participating in the Aboriginal Business Education Program summer internships with the Royal Bank for 5 summers while attending university. In 2002 he was recognized as the only Aboriginal youth from Manitoba to attend the National Youth Volunteer conference and was the recipient of the National Youth Role Model Program 2002 for Academic Achievement. Upon his recent graduation, Terry joined Arctic Beverages, a franchise of Pepsi Bottling Group, as the Sales and Marketing Specialist for Northern Manitoba, Northern Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario and Nunavut. |
Clayton Thomas - Cultural Male Award |
Nominated by Karen Ross, Churchill High School |
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Krystin Nepinak - Cultural Female Award |
Nominated by Mary Richard, Circle of Life Thunderbird House |
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Before graduating from John Taylor Collegiate in Winnipeg, Krystin participated in a Recreational Technician training program sponsored by the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development, which led her to work for the City of Winnipeg at various community centres. Krystin and her co-trainees were presented with Awards of Recognition by Mayor of the City of Winnipeg, Glenn Murray, for their achievements. When Krystin is not working she is dancing and teaching. She is an accomplished performer and instructor of traditional dance, having facilitated workshops on cultural dance and the sharing of oral knowledge. She has traveled to various communities to share her love of traditional dance with children. Recently, Krystin represented the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Rio de Janiero, as part of the Summer Bear Dance Troupe. As a champion dancer she has ranked first place in large gatherings at the Toronto Sky Dome, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and Nelson House. Krystin is known as a positive role model among the powwow circuit. |
Brennan Manoakeesick - Community/Volunteer Senior Award |
Nominated by Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs |
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Brennan has spent his youth learning and promoting awareness of First Nations issues on the national and international scope. He stresses the importance of youth involvement, especially when an issue affects youth directly. Brennan has served as the Youth Leader for the Manitoba First Nations Youth Council as well as the Spokesperson for the Assembly of First Nations Youth Council. He had the distinct opportunity of attending the Assembly of First Nations’ National Congress of American Indians Joint Annual General Assembly in July 1999, as well as the Indigenous People’s Summit of the Americas in March 2001. He is currently enrolled at the University of Manitoba. Brennan plans on working on the advancement and campaign of Indigenous Affairs within the United Nations and the Organization of American States. His aspirations include a continuation of promoting First Nations advancement through Indigenous Worldview, a concept that has shaped Brennan's principles and ideologies. |
Lindsay Mainville -Community/Volunteer Junior Award |
Nominated by Karen Ross, Churchill High School |
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Because of her caring nature, honesty, and commitment, Lindsay was selected to be the spokesperson for a presentation to the Winnipeg School Division Board of Trustees on the subject of Aboriginal Education at Churchill High School. At this presentation, she stressed the Aboriginal Education at Churchill high School. At this presentation, she stressed the importance of aboriginal culture in school, and made it clear that it was an important part of her education. Lindsay was also selected to represent Churchill High School at the Assembly of Manitoba Chief’s 5th Annual Youth Gathering in Norway House. One of the most important events in Lindsay’s academic career was when she was asked to give a presentation to a junior high audience on the topic of “Human Rights – Respect and Tolerance”. Lindsay has always tried to give back to her community, which has pushed her to do her very best. She is very connected to her culture and family. Lindsay has volunteered for almost everything that needed help at her school, including fundraising, highway clean up, hair styling and modeling for a fashion show, cooking for feasts, and teaching her peers about the aboriginal culture. She is currently employed at the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs Co-op. She plans on working a year before applying to the University of Manitoba, where she will pursue a degree in Law. Once she attains this goal, Lindsay plans on being a lawyer or consultant in the Aboriginal community. By giving back to the community, Lindsay is on her way to great success of attaining her dreams. |
Travis Harper - Employment in a Traditional Field |
Nominated by Nominated by All Nations Traditional Healing Centre |
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Shavon Chartrand - Personal Achievement Senior Award |
Nominated by University of Manitoba Access Program |
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From a young age, Shavon has learned hard lessons in life. After experimenting with a negative lifestyle, Shavon dropped out of high school and was a mother by the age of 16. She had three more children after that and it was then that she realized that they key to success and a better quality of life was with an education. She wanted more for her children, so when her children were old enough, Shavon returned to school. Shavon looked to the Creator for guidance to help her be a devoted mother, wife and student. With a dedication and ambition to succeed, Shavon graduated with her high school diploma in June 2002. Upon graduation, she received the Governor General's Academic Medal, and numerous top student awards in the areas of Language Arts, Math, Biology, and others. In September 2002, Shavon started her post-secondary education and began following her dreams of graduating with a degree. Once Shavon obtains her Bachelor of Arts degree, she plans on applying to the Faculty of Law. Once she has completed her post-secondary schooling, Shavon plans on working with Aboriginal people to find better solutions for a higher quality of life. She would like to get involved with political issues concerning Aboriginal people in Canada. |
Jesse McDonald - Personal Achievement Junior Award |
Nominated by H. Marr, 177 Air Cadets |
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At the age of fourteen, Jesse joined the 177 Air Canada Air Cadets and begin working towards his dream of being a pilot. He attended Basic Training courses and Air Studies courses. In the year 2000, Jesse competed for the highly coveted Slider Pilot Scholarship, and won. With this, he received his Glider Pilot License. In 2001, he won the Flying Scholarship. With this, he received his Private Pilot License. Jesse made it to the rank of Flight Sergeant and was at Level Six of Air Cadets when he left. Jesse continues to volunteer with the air cadet squadron. He is the Assistant Flight Commander and the Standards Aviation Officer. He is currently employed as a Civilian Instructor at Brandon Gliding Center as a Rear Seat Familiarization Pilot and as part of the ground crew. Jesse was recently approved for a scholarship to attend the "Commercial License Time-Building" course at Winnipeg Aviation Co. Ltd, which will allow Jesse to obtain his Commercial Pilot License. Once he receives this license, Jesse will be allowed to seek employment in the aviation field, and it will allow him to live his dream of flying. |
A member of the Métis community, Jack Lavallee was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but grew up in Eriksdale, Manitoba, where he learned to follow his Métis roots by fishing and hunting. 
Ashley Blais is a Métis born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ashley attended school at St. Norbert Immersion, and high school at St. Norbert Collegiate. 
Biography not available.
Melanie was born to Barbara and Clarence Nepinak on January 24, 1986, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 
Biography not available.
Ms. Sinclair is a 19-year old Aboriginal person who spent her childhood discovering her roots. As a young adult, Gazheek developed her Aboriginal foundation on the seven teachings of traditional lodging. Her Anishabequay culture has taught her the importance of balancing the mind, body, spirit with everything she tackles in life. Gazheek has also learned though her dedication in sports, the importance in team building and she has achieved numerous accomplishments in her young life.
Terry is a person of tremendous energy and talent. He has a very strong work ethic and a commitment to personal success in all that he does. 
Biography not available.
Krystin as a member of Pine Creek Nation, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 
Of Oji-cree descent, Brennan Manoakeesick grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with his roots in Garden Hill First Nation, and Ebb and Flow First Nation. He graduated from Children of the Earth High School in 1999. To date he was won numerous awards, including an Award of Academic Excellence in English, a Cultural Achievement Award, a Member of Parliament Award from the House of Commons, and a scholarship from Manitoba Lotteries Corporation. 
Born in Thunderbay, Ontario, Lindsay Mainville is originally from the Couchiching First Nation in Ontario. Lindsay grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she attended Niji Mahkwa Elementary and recently graduated from Churchill High School. Regardless of which school she was attending, Lindsay had the opportunity to show off her aboriginal culture. With Spirit Bear drum group, Lindsay danced as a jingle dress dancer numerous times in front of students at her school, and others. 
Biography not available.
Born in Pine Falls, Manitoba, Shavon Chartrand grew up on the Hollow Water First Nation. 
A Métis born in Winnipeg, Jesse McDonald dreamed of being a pilot since he was a young age. Jesse attended school at Sister MacNamara Elementary School, and later, Munroe Junior High School. After struggling to understand his school work, Jesse enrolled in Christian Home Schooling. with high marks, Jesse received his academic grade 12 in 2001 and was equipped with the skills necessary for attending university. It was through his home schooling that he learned to be a good reader and to apply himself to attain high grades.