Sudury student voted National Metis Youth Role Model

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She has been acutely aware of her culture since a very young age. She has cherished this knowledge and passed it on to other youth. Her name is Melissa Bromley.

The 21-year-old from Sudbury is one of five 2002 Metis youth role model winners announced at the National Metis Youth Conference in Vancouver April 26.

Bromley, the winner in the Metis culture and heritage category, is a student in the Native Child and Family Worker program at Cambrian College.

She also works at the Sudbury Metis Youth Centre, where she is the youth facilitator for the Youth-to-Youth Environmental Health Audit.

Bromley said she weaves the Metis culture into their meetings because she believes it is important for the youth to know their culture.

"I do what I do because I respect youth, I learn from them and they never fail to teach me something new. I teach them the Metis culture because you have to know where you come from before you can know where you're going. For me, learning my culture has helped me grow and become a proud Metis woman," said Bromley.

Bromley's co-worker, Patsy Mott, nominated her for the program. Mott said Bromley was one of the first youth who participated in the centre's program and has had a great effect on youth.

"She is very proud of her culture. She's a very, very enthusiastic young lady," said Mott. "She's a great role model for the youth."

The National Metis Youth Role Model Program-similar to the National Native Role Model Program for First Nations and Inuit-is now in its second year.

"The Metis youth decided to have their own type of role model program . . . it's designed to get youth out there to live healthy, positive lifestyles. The youth that are selected get to attend different conferences, to facilitate workshops . . . it's kind of networking where they encourage other youth out there within the same field whether it's athletics or arts," said Pauline Huppie, director of Youth Initiatives with Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres.

The program has seven categories: Metis culture and heritage, volunteer service, academic achievement, athletic excellence, personal achievement, career advancement, and the Gabriel Dumont Award for Valour, which goes to a youth who displays courage or who carries out a selfless act that benefits others.

One winner is selected in each category by a seven-member committee made up of Metis citizens from all walks of life, said Huppie.

There were no nominees in the athletic category or in the Gabriel Dumont Award this year, Huppie said.

People nominating a youth for an award have to write a two-page description about why they feel this youth would fit into a certain category. The nominated youth, aged between 16 and 29, has to fill out an application form, provide three letters of support from their teachers or other authorities, and provide other supporting documentation like a video or a piece of artwork.