Metis organization honors the achievement of youth

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Seventeen young people were honored at the third annual Alberta Youth Achievement Awards Gala on March 25 in Edmonton. The Jubilee Auditorium was filled with youth, family members, teachers and mentors.

Sponsored by the Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA), the idea for the awards was to pay tribute and promote Metis youth, said MNA President Audrey Poitras. "Some have studied hard and done magnificent things. We want to recognize them for that," she said. "We believe we need to honor, not just Metis youth, but Aboriginal youth."

MNA sponsors the annual awards in partnership with Oteenow Employment and Training Society and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Plans were made to host a conference, March 24 to 26, where youth could tour the campus, learn about courses they can take and see what is possible in their future.

"We have a great partnership with NAIT," said Poitras. "The conference allows us to recognize the achievement of the youth and give them further information. The youth from the province get together and enjoy this time that is just for them."

Poitras said that many young people have had challenges to overcome to finish high school and life doesn't come easy. Noting the increased interest in the event, she said that the first year the gala was held at Victoria Composite high school and this year it was at the Jubilee Auditorium. "This shows the interest is not only from youth but from parents and others. The greater community is responding and sharing the celebration."

One way the gala audience got to know more about the award winners was through brief videos that were made about each of their lives and some of the challenges and successes they experienced. Supportive family members, exceptional teachers and mentors were acknowledged.

Junior Personal Achievement Award winner Chantelle St. Martin lives in Edmonton and attends the Partners for Youth Outreach Program with the Edmonton Catholic School District. There, she and Brooklyn, her five-month-old daughter, attend high school together. A Mom's Room allows teen parents to care for their small children while they study, helped by supportive, encouraging teachers.

A popular girl, St. Martin said that school wasn't always so important to her. Now she gets very high marks in her courses but previously she failed most subjects.

"I believed that I was too cool for school, but I want everyone to know that you don't have to be a nerd to be good in school," said St. Martin.

Chantelle St. Martin is a full-time student who spends time with her fiance and their baby and also enjoys seeing her many friends.

In the future, St. Martin wants to attend college and work towards an arts degree. After that, law school and a practice in family law. St. Martin said that she is an organized person who is always taking note of situations. "I love to learn!" she said.

Lindsay Lepine, winner of the Senior Academic Award, had to move to Edmonton with her young son, Ethan, in August 2005 from her very small home community of Elizabeth Metis Settlement near Cold Lake. She is now completing the Aboriginal Pre-Technology Program at NAIT. These courses prepare her so that she can apply for NAIT's two-year diagnostic medical sonography program. Once completed, Lepine may be employed in a medical centre as an ultrasound technician, for example. She said that NAIT only takes enough students to fill the available jobs so it can be competitive and hard to get into.

But Lepine said that she likes school and gets very good marks, thanks in part to the supportive NAIT staff. Lepine raves about NAIT, its programs, its teaching staff and the very special people at the Aboriginal Centre on campus. Because of their encouragement she plans to apply for many of the scholarships that are available.

This award-winning student didn't always think that school was the answer. "I thought that it was over-rated," said Lepine. "Everyone said 'Go to cllege' but I thought I could get a good job without school. Now I know that a few months or a few years of school are worth it."

Born in the small Arctic community of Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Kenny Algona won the Culture and Heritage (Inuit) Award. Algona left his northern home to begin an education degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton last year. However, the large city and life in a big dorm were overwhelming for him. Fortunately, Algona found that Grande Prairie Regional College and a smaller community fit him much better. "It feels more like home here," he said. At the college, Algona has a high academic standing and also excels in badminton, lacrosse and soccer.

In Kugluktuk, Algona lived a traditional Inuit life; he camped and hunted on the land. Raised by his grandparents, Algona understands, but does not speak, the language of his people. He is concerned about the rapid loss of his culture and would like to see cultural information integrated into the education system. When he graduates he plans to return to his home and teach in the local school. "I want to share my experiences and tell younger kids to stay in school," said Algona.

Other award-winning youth whose achievements were celebrated are Jordan Cardinal, Culture and Heritage (First Nations); Corbin Poitras, Culture and Heritage (Metis); Derek Huppie, Junior Academic Achievement; Arrol Bernard, Junior Athletic Achievement; Charmaine Durocher, Junior Career Advancement; Stevie Snider, Junior Community Leader; Tyler Hallock, Junior Volunteer Services; Jennifer Skeard, Junior Walking the Red Road; Justin White Cow, Senior Athletic Achievement; Kris Gladue, Senior Career Advancement; Wayne Karakuntie, Senior Community Leader; Bridgitte Loonskin, Senior Personal Achievement; Shawn Beazley, Senior Volunteer Services; and Clinton Soto, Senior Walking the Red Road.