Saskatchewan teen named a national role model

Nineteen-year-old Alberta Eashappie-Prettyshield has added yet another accomplishment to her resume. On Oct. 16, she was one of 12 Aboriginal youth from across the country to receive a role model award from Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.
Each year the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) chooses a dozen impressive young people to take part in Lead Your Way!, the National Aboriginal Role Model Program. The program concentrates on the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth aged 13 to 30, recognizing individuals for their volunteer work, their accomplishments in school, sports or business, or for their commitment to their culture.
Throughout the year the role models will visit First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities across the country to share their stories and inspire other Aboriginal youth to achieve their goals.
Even before being named one of NAHO's role models, Eashappie-Prettyshield was already fulfilling the role in her home community.
Since 2000, Eashappie-Prettyshield has received numerous leadership awards. For four years in a row, from 2003 to 2006, she was named senior princess of Carry the Kettle Powwow.
In 2005 she was named second valedictorian of her graduating class at Nakoda Oyade Education Centre.
That same year she received a certificate from the Aboriginal Youth Leadership Development Program and was a participant at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Youth Legislative Assembly in Yorkton.
This year the accomplished jingle dress dancer created and completed her jingle dress and was named the Nakoda Oyade Education Centre's School Idol winner.
The role model award also recognizes Eashappie-Prettyshield's efforts to promote her culture and language.
Every time a guest visits in the community, Eashappie-Prettyshield will stand up and say a few words of thanks to the visitor in both English and Assiniboine. She will then direct her attention to the youth to encourage them to get to know their language and culture, "because in my community, we are losing our language and traditions," she said.
She has always tried to take advantage of public speaking opportunities so that she could be heard as a voice for the local youth in her community.
"I always tell people to be a leader and not a follower, to stand up and have a voice," she said.
Eashappie-Prettyshield believes she was also nominated to be a role model because she stands, not just for her many accomplishments but also because of her sense of style.
"My clothes are different and not in a bad way," said Eashappie-Prettyshield. "I have clothes that nobody else has ... I go shopping in places that nobody else does."
Eashappie-Prettyshield was surprised when she found out she had been selected as a 2006-2007 role model and thought it was a great honour to be selected.
"Not only do I get to talk to my community but I get to talk to others and try to influence them to make positive choices."
She said she was nervous during the awards ceremony when she was presented with a small crystal sculpture by the Governor General, but her nervousness eased once she shook hands with Jean and listened to her advice.
"She seemed so elegant and down to earth."
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"The advice (the Governor General) gave was quite honourable. She said to keep striving no matter what. Hard times will come but they will pass in time. Just keep your head up and keep going because what you're doing now is more than anybody can accomplish," Alberta Eashappie-Prettyshield said.
Aside from her community work with Elders and determination to encourage the local youth to get in touch with their culture and traditions, Eashappie-Prettyshield has been focusing much of her time preparing for university in January. She will be attending school in British Columbia to major in marine biology.
"I've always had a passion for whales," she said.
Eashappie-Prettyshield is also an aspiring actress who has appeared in small roles in television shows including Moccasin Flats and Corner Gas.
"I don't act for the money. It's just always been a passion of mine," said Eashappie-Prettyshield. "I love acting because you get to step into a different world or character."
Nominated by her peers as a person to look up to, Eashappie-Prettyshield is proudly taking responsibility to fulfill the role model title. She said her priority as a role model is "to inspire not only the youth but inspire everybody to make healthy choices in life and to strive for what they want, better goals."
There is a motto that Eashappie-Prettyshield has always lived by that has helped her reach her goals-"With the power of God anything is possible." That is the message she hopes to impart to Aboriginal youth across the country.
This year marked the first time the Governor General has presented awards to the NAHO role models "So we were very honoured," said Karin Kettler, co-ordinator of the role model program. "The ceremony was beautiful and I think everyone felt the excitement of the new role models."
According to Kettler, the focus of the program is to encourage Aboriginal youth to pursue their dreams.
"The goals of the program is to influence Aboriginal youth towards healthy lifestyles and help Aboriginal role models be available to communities and youth," said Kettler. "The other goals are to strengthen the Aboriginal identity, improve the public image of Aboriginal people and promote healthy self-esteem among Aboriginal people and encourage leadership."
Kettler said the nominations received for the program are pre-screened by Aboriginal youth. The nominees that make it through the screening process are then put onto a grid and the individuals with the highest ranking are forwarded on to a selection committee made up of past role models.
"So, it's Aboriginal youth nominating Aboriginal youth selected by Aboriginal youth," said Kettler.
For more information about the program visit www.naho.ca.