Justice worker receives award

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A Manitoulin Island youth justice worker has been commended for his outstanding community involvement.

Eli Fox of M'Chigeeng First Nation received a Scotiabank Anishinabek Youth Achievement Award, a new award handed out by the Anishinabek Nation for the first time this year

Fox, Zoongaabwe-od Eshniiig-jik program manager, has worked for the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM) since 2001. The 28-year-old father of three is dedicated to promoting positive-decision making for young people age 12 to 25.

He studied police foundations at Sault College and law and justice at Algoma University before embarking on a career in community development.

"Most of my background is in law and policing," he said. "But I am also interested in social issues such as healthy lifestyles and suicide prevention."

As a member of the UCCM justice program team, Fox organizes educational workshops throughout the six member nations. Traditional Anishinabek values based on the medicine wheel and the Seven Grandfather principles provide the foundation for all the initiatives.

"I offer PowerPoint presentations on how to raise and maintain healthy self-esteem," he said. "I try to incorporate the cultural teachings into all the workshops."

The prevention strategies are designed for youth involved in the court system, but all community members are welcome to join the activities, he stressed.

Literally translated, the program name means "youth standing strong and tall with both feet firmly planted on the ground," and seems to describe perfectly where Fox is in his life right now. For him, hard work, self-discipline and consistency are the keys to personal success.

"There were goals I wanted to achieve and I knew the steps I needed to accomplish to get there," he said. "I knew I had to do well in school and get my education. I have to keep improving in my work and in my life."

Strong familial ties are vital to achieving stability, he added. "Family life is important in helping you meet your goals and have a sense of responsibility."

Above all, he encourages youth to listen to the Elders of the community and to follow their guidance.

Although he remains humble about the nomination, Fox was pleased about travelling to Sarnia for the awards ceremony. Awards were presented in several categories including academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, entrepreneurship and cultural activities.

Fox was recognized for exemplary community service.

"Community work is a big part of my life," he said. "I coach house league hockey in M'Chigeeng. And I am also a volunteer firefighter. I like to help out in different ways."

He is also a member of the Star Lodge Drum group. The singers appear at First Nation events throughout UCCM country.

The awards were presented June 27 during the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) 2005 Unity Gathering and Grand Council Assembly held in Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. To be eligible for one of the awards, youth had to be between the ages of 16 and 29 before March 31, 2005, and had to be from one of the 42 First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation.