Saskatchewan youth honoured at awards gala

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It was an evening of celebrating and sharing on April 29 as SaskTel and the Wicihitowin Foundation hosted the 7th annual SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence.

The Wicihitowin Foundation is an organization dedicated to First Nation's veterans. Each year the organization honours veterans by joining with SaskTel to sponsor the awards of excellence as a way to recognize youth who are excelling, and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.

SaskTel vice-president of sales Ken Keesey was at the event and he talked about what recognizing youth means to the community.

"It is a real honour for us to be part of such a great event. We really believe that if we can support the kids who really are the future of the province, that we are doing something that is good for all of the province," said Keesey.

The evening was presided over by Elder Howard Walker of James Smith Cree Nation, with musical accompaniment provided by the powwow group Hunting Horse from Poundmaker First Nation. Makwa Sahgiechan First Nation Elder Alma Kytwayhat opened the gala with a prayer, and a number of dignitaries came to speak to those gathered and share in the celebration, including Saskatoon Tribal Council Tribal Chief Glen Johnstone and Joan Beatty, provincial minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation.

For the first time in the history of the awards, Dr. Lynda Haverstock, lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan, was in attendance.

"It is something that all people in the province should experience, this level of excellence and accomplishment in Aboriginal youth. One of the things that I lament is-not just about First Nation's and Metis children and youth and young adults, but all young people- too often they are not depicted in the media in a positive way. I have the great fortune of travelling the province and seeing outstanding young people every single day," said Haverstock.

The award in the fine arts/performing arts category was given out to Mylan Tootoosis of Poundmaker First Nation. Tootoosis is 18 years old and attends school at Mount Royal Collegiate in Saskatoon. He is a gifted traditional Sioux-style flute player, and has produced a CD of his songs. He is also a committed men's fancy dancer, and has travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and Europe sharing his gifts of dance and music.

Tootoosis works hard in every aspect of his life, and he integrates his culture into his academic program by participating in cultural events at school. Tootoosis also participates in the Respect ED program of the Red Cross, which focuses on abuse prevention.

This year's culture award was given to 15-year-old Navarone Thunderchild who is from Thunderchild First Nation, where he also attends school. Thunderchild has been powwow dancing since he first learned to walk, and he attended his first powwow when he was five days old.

Thunderchild lives and promotes a healthy lifestyle through his dancing and cultural pursuits, and has won many dance championships at powwows across Canada. He is recognized for his ability to be a role model and has received awards for perfect attendance and high academics.

He likes to encourage others to lead healthy lifestyles by promoting dancing, sports, and staying in school. Thunderchild's career goal is to become an architect or engineer, perhaps both.

This year's education award recipient is Jennifer Pelletier, a 15-year-old from Cowessess First Nation who attends school at Scott Collegiate in Regina. Pelletier has maintained an overall average of 90 per cent in school this year, while also being involved in numerous school activities.

She's a member of the school's Scott dance team and was chosen as team captain by her peers.

Pelletier is also in the school choir and the creative writing club. She enjoys writing poetry and short stories, and her favourite courses are mathematics, science, and English. Pelletier plans to become either a teacher or a doctor.

The award in the sports category went to Kent Witchekan from One Arrow First Nation.

Witchekan is a 16-year-old who attends E. D. Feehan Collegiate in Saskatoon. Witchekan's sport of choice is fencing. He's been doing it since he was nine, and enjoys promoting the sport by putting on demonstrations in his home community

Witchekan won the provincial fencing championships in the under 20 category in 2002, 2003, and 2005. In 2003, Witchekan represented Saskatchewan at the 2003 Jeux du Canada Games and placed sixth. After he graduates, Witchekan plans to become a firefighter and to continue fencing.

In the category of leadership, this year's award went to ArianeStarblanket of Starblanket First Nation. Starblanket is 19 and attends Balcarres high school. She's described as having unrelenting leadership qualities at school and in her community. She's an advocate for minority causes and has joined a number of groups that promote creative thinking and responsible actions. She is chairperson of Students Against Destructive Decisions, a youth group that advocates the prevention of all destructive behaviours and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, impaired driving, violence and suicide. She also arranges cultural exchanges with students from Quebec and is a tireless fundraiser, raising money to fund extra-curricular activities for youth on Starblanket First Nation.

This year's technology and science award went to Ashley Daniels from Okanese First Nation. Daniels is 17 and attends Leask community school. She's maintained an academic average in math and science of between 88 and 95 per cent over the last three years, earning her a spot on the honour roll for all three of those years. Daniels intends to further her education at the post- secondary level in the health sciences field. She volunteers in her community at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert. Daniels is described as a role model in her school for ll students and displays pride in her work and a willingness to make a difference.

In the community service category, this year's award went to Chelsie Scragg, an 18-year-old single mother to a 2-year-old daughter. Scragg, who is Metis, attends Nutuna Collegiate in Saskatoon. She maintains an academic average of 85 per cent, and is described as mature and confident in all activities that she participates in.

Scragg is involved in a number of organizations including Student Friends of Students, Kids Incorporated and the Bank of Montreal Canadian Aboriginal Bursary program. She is also a youth advisor for Batting 1000, an agency whose members help to decide which charities receive funds to help Saskatoon youth. Scragg says that knowing that she is helping to improve society makes her feel better about the environment that her daughter will be raised in. She plans to enter the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan.

Eric Morrison was the recipient of this year's recreation award. He's 17 and is from the Seine River First Nation and attends school at Balfour Collegiate in Regina. Morrison is a magician and it is his goal to be the first Aboriginal magician to be on par with David Copperfield.

Morrison has a fall-back plan however-he'd also like to be an art teacher. Morrison initiates, develops and encourages activities that promote healthy lifestyles and spends his time practicing magic tricks and helping others to stay away from substance abuse. He has performed at many school and community events, entertaining thousands of people in Regina and the surrounding communities.

This year's recipient of the spirit award is Shawn Highway, an 18-year-old who lives in Prince Albert and attends St. Mary's high school. Highway is very deserving of the spirit award because he has demonstrated an ability to overcome adversity and he shares his knowledge for the betterment of others. He has been nominated as the most improved student at his high scool.

Highway has faced problems in the past with the law, and has done community service work to repay his debt to society. He now says that he realizes that it does not pay to get in trouble because it hurts him as well as his family.

Through determination and commitment, Highway has overcome adversities that many people his age continue to struggle with. He plans to continue his education after he graduates from high school.

This year's outstanding achievement award was awarded to Raelyn Favel, a 15-year-old from Poundmaker First Nation. She attends school at John Paul II in North Battleford where she has an academic average of 92 per cent. Favel has been on the honour roll every year that she's been in school.

For someone her age, Favel's community involvement is astounding. She has volunteered her time for such causes as diabetes prevention and the Kiwanis Club conference on fetal alcohol syndrome. This involvement has led to Favel becoming a peer outreach worker with the Battlefords Family Centre. Favel is described as an exceptional role model for all students and has earned the admiration of her peers and teachers because of her vibrant personality, positive attitude and strong commitment to sharing her heritage with others. After she graduates from high school, Favel intends to continue her education in either law or health sciences.

A new award was added to the mix at this year's gala-the Youth Award of Excellence, created to commemorate this year's centennial celebrations in Saskatchewan.

Lashawn Wahpooseyan, a 17-year-old who attends F.W. Johnson Collegiate in Regina, was the recipient of the award. Wahpooseyan, a member of Kawacatoose First Nation, is an exemplary student who excels in academics and sports. She is very involved in her community and dedicates her time to anti-racism activities and outdoor education. She is also involved in the Circle Helpers group, a project of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation that helps survivors of