Teen wins race relations award

Page 12

One might wonder how a shy girl from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation won the prestigious 2002 Lincoln M. Alexander Award. The award, handed out each year by the provincial government of Ontario, was created in 1993 to recognize youth who demonstrate leadership in promoting racial harmony and eliminating discrimination in their schools or community. Tamara McDonald, now a self-confident 18-year-old living in Thunder Bay, Ont. won the award for community work, while Bikramjit Nahal of Dundas, Ont. won for work within a school setting.

The teens received their awards Dec. 10 in a ceremony at Queen's Park. Current Lt. Gov. James Bartleman, and Former Lt. Gov.

Lincoln Alexander, for whom the award is named, both took part in the award presentations.

This is the first time an Aboriginal woman has won this award. Nominees must be between 16 and 25. McDonald was 17 at the time she was nominated by the Regional Multicultural Youth Centre in Thunder Bay where she is president of the youth council. "Competition for this award is tough," said Moffatt Makuto, volunteer director of the youth centre. "Several local dignitaries also wrote letters of support for Tamara."

McDonald wasn't even aware she'd been nominated for the award until she'd already won it, and was pleased to be the third member of the youth centre to have received the honor, which also comes with a cheque for $2,500.

McDonald won this award for her work with the youth council and for taking workshops designed to break down stereotypes about Aboriginal people into local schools. The youth council also does peer training so that the workshops can continue in the schools. And this past spring they began the Race Relations Image Awards, which they hope will become an annual event. It's a fundraiser for the group, and also elevates the profile of race relations.

McDonald wants other youth to understand the huge impact that residential schools have had on First Nations. She has seen the effects first hand in her father.

"I was surprised when some students admitted they hadn't heard about the sexual and psychological abuse some Aboriginals endured at residential schools," she said. "Sometimes I'm the only Aboriginal in the room. I'm talking to fellow students who think I'm pretty quiet. I tell them it's okay not to know everything, but this discussion will enlarge the circle of knowledge."

"Tamara is a good educator. She identifies with the problems of First Nations people and is willing to provide cultural understanding to others," Makuto said.

Once she graduates from high school, McDonald plans to attend university to study sociology or political science.

"With this education, I can see myself helping others," she said.

She credits her mother Bev and Makuto for her self-confidence and drive.

Her advice to other young people:"Stay positive by surrounding yourself with positive people. Believe in yourself."