Youth recognized for contributions to community

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Five outstanding youth were among those recognized when the Keewaywin Awards were handed out during the Nishnawbe Aski Nation's (NAN) Keewaywin Chiefs Assembly held in Sachigo Lake from Aug. 3 to 5.The awards are handed out annually to recognize youth, Elders and members of NAN staff for their contributions to the community.

This year's award recipient in the athletic and recreation category was Henry Tyson Baker of Mishkeegogamang First Nation. Baker, who graduated from Pelican Falls First Nation high school this year, excelled in a number of sports while in school, including volleyball and basketball. He added running to the list in his final year of high school and qualified to compete in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations cross-country championships, the first student from the school to accomplish such a feat.

The Stan Mckay Memorial Award for leadership and community involvement went to eight Junior Canadian Rangers from Kashechewan First Nation. During the community's problems with tainted water last year, Chelsea Goodwin, Leonard Goodwin, Kaitlin Nakogee, Joseph Paulmartin, Lawrence Sutherland, Corbin Wesley, Stephanie Wesley and Ernie Wynee volunteered to deliver water bottles to homes and helped evacuees get from their homes to waiting planes.

The award in the education and academic category went to Marcus Ostamus from Eabametoong First Nation. Ostamus will be entering Grade 12 at Sir Winston Churchill high school in September and plans to study computer engineering after graduation. He has received a number of awards recognizing his academic achievements, including an outstanding achievement award in Grade 10 math and the Eabametoong Education Authority Board of Directors Award.

Daniel Cheechoo of Moose Cree First Nation received the youth council award. Cheechoo was one of the founders of The Jazz basketball team, which produced a number of players who went on to play for Team Ontario, earning a gold medal at the 2005 Ontario Aboriginal Summer Games and a bronze at the 2006 North American Indigenous Games held in July. He also helped bring the CREEHOOPS summer basketball tournament to Moose Factor and this year is organizing the tournament.

The youngest award recipient of the evening was 10-year-old Kyle Stone from Whitewater Lake First Nation, who received the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow Award. Last year, Stone received two awards from CD Howe public school, where he will be entering Grade 6 in September-the Classroom Achievement Award and the Athletic Achievement Award. He shares his heritage with his classmates by producing reports on First Nations and dancing in his regalia.

While youth dominated the awards ceremonies, they weren't the only ones to be recognized. Theresa Sutherland was named NAN Woman of the Year, David Paul Achneepineskum received the Emile Nakogee Award for Leadership, Moses Angees was named NAN Elder of the Year and the NAN Staff of the Year Award went to NAN director of communications Jenna Young.