Leading the way in their own way

Page 11

Levi C. McAteer of Manning, Alta. is one of six young people chosen as the National Aboriginal Health Organization's (NAH0) National Aboriginal Role Models for 2004.

McAteer is the youngest of the role models who spring from communities across Canada. He is known in his community for his athletic abilities and is skip of his juvenile curling team.

The role models are Aboriginal youth between the ages of 13 and 30 and represent First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

"They include students, athletes and volunteers. They are all working hard to achieve their dreams," said Bernice Downey, executive director of NAHO.

The role models were nominated by youth in their communities, and chosen by a working group made up of Aboriginal youth.

There have been six youth role models announced, with another six scheduled to be announced in November.

With McAteer, Jaime Y. Battiste of Eskasoni, N.S., who graduated with a degree in Mi'kmaq studies from the University of Cape Breton and then graduated from Dalhousie Law School, was also named to the role model list.

Thomas I. Edwards of Winnipeg, Cara Ann Chamberlain of Guelph, Ont., Fauna L. Kingdon of Iqaluit, Nunavut and Jaime L. Koebel of Ottawa round out the first six role models announced.

Edwards is a theatre student and an aspiring actor. He is the first cadet in his unit allowed to honour his tradition by keeping his braids. He wears an eagle feather with his uniform.

Chamberlain has a master's degree in environmental biology. She initiated the first Aboriginal-language program at the University of Guelph and recently completed a master's degree in environmental biology and is working on her PhD.

Kingdon has won awards for her volunteer work at organizations such as the Nunavut Help Line. She is in her third year of commerce at the University of Manitoba where she continues to excel in her studies.

Koebel is a busy mother and a community volunteer. She completed her bachelor's degree while raising infant twins and while pregnant with her third child. She is studying for a Masters of Arts in Aboriginal studies.