Light up the Community Celebration

by Channing Lavallee
December 11, 2008. St. Ambrose, MB

Light up the community celebration in my community has been happening for approximately 3 years.

This year was the first time that I was able to MC the event. I really enjoyed being able to announce the winners of the celebration as well as introducing the performers (St. Ambrose Youth Steppers and the St. Ambrose Métis Jiggers).

I felt very comfortable speaking in front of my community and look forward to the next event where I will be able to MC.

Adams Lake Band Career Fair

by Sekwaw Katelyn Matthew

December 5, 2008. Adams Lake Band, BC

I gave a speech at the Adams Lake Indian Bands Career Fair. The delegates were high school students from the local public schools and First Nations schools.

My message to the students was to work hard and follow their dreams. I had a great time at the fair.

BC Provincial Aboriginal Education Conference

by Sekwaw Katelyn Matthew

November 28, 2008. BC Provincial Aboriginal Education Conference: Vancouver, BC

I gave a short speech at the Provincial Aboriginal Education Conference: part in English and part in my language, Secwepemctsin. The conference delegates were from provincial and First Nations schools.

My message to the 600 people present was to “remember to give youth a chance for a positive future”. The response was great. The educators and leaders welcomed me to the head table. It was an exhilarating experience.

Aboriginal Youth Leadership Conference

by Suzette Amaya

November 21, 2008. Lac La Biche, AB (Alberta Employment and Immigration)

LAC LA BICHE!! Sweet Community. I was so impressed, so many beautiful youth. Everyone was so nice. All attendees so receptive, also mad love, respect to the RED POWER SQUAD who I was honoured to see perform YAAY!!)

This conference was such a success, loved the fashion show by CHARM LOGAN, great work! I was so happy to be there! My workshop was fun, thanks for all the Q’s and comments and I was honoured to be so welcomed to the community.

I hope that this youth conference becomes an annual event. It was so entertaining, educational, and great for networking. Thanks for having me Think NDN.

Kick-off to Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week

by Shaneen Robinson

November 17, 2008. Winnipeg, MB (Children of the Earth High School)

Spoke to 100 youth and a few teachers, elders, and principal for about one hour.

We had a great response from youth and a lot of questions.

I spoke about culture, education, career, pride, overcoming challenges, positive living, residential schools, suicide, addiction, and NARMP.

Kick-off to Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week

by Carissa Copenace

November 17, 2008 in Winnipeg, MB (Children of the Earth High School)

This visit was a lot of fun for me, especially since Shaneen was there and we both knew some of the people who we were presenting to.

The students of Children of the Earth High School were very respectful and asked plenty of questions after our presentations. After the question period about half of them approached us to share their own stories or ask another question.

I enjoyed working with Shaneen and it was a good opportunity for both of us to make further connections in the community where we live.I enjoyed working with people who I consider to be like my second set of parents, Patty and Colin Mousseau and all of the staff were very welcoming.

National Native Addictions Awareness Week

By Candace Polson

November 17, 2008 in Magnetawan, ON.

I had a really great time in Magnetawan! The people there were very kind and there is one young lady there that I think I will never forget.

The first thing she did when I got there was she came up to me and told me how excited she was that she had finally met me and how excited she was for my presentation. It was then that I realized that I am making an impact on some people’s lives and I truly felt like a role model.

The presentation went really well and I hope I will visit their small but amazing reserve again! Meegwetch to Carla Noganosh for her wonderful hospitality and to Magnetewan First Nation for having me there.

Hiawatha First Nation

by Robert Animikii Horton

November 13, 2008

Upon arriving in Toronto, I drove to Peterborough, Ontario and made my way out to the beautiful community of Hiawatha First Nation early the following morning. Upon arriving, I was given a tour of the Hiawatha Band Office and met the current administration and education staff.

Following the Chief and Education Administrator’s speech, I was asked to address the young career gathering which I spoke about the importance of seeking education and creating goals for one’s self.

I placed a great deal of emphasis on the importance of building strong communities and involvement in processes. For the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon, I got to know some of the Hiawatha First Nation staff, as well as those who had career/college kiosks up for youth – creating opportunities.

It was a short stay, but I felt that a strong message was presented and embraced. Thank you for the opportunity NARMP!

Manito Ahbee Festival

by Heather Watts

November 7-9, 2008 in Winnipeg, MB

Attending the Manito Ahbee Festival in Winnipeg was an awesome experience!

The role models and Bruce-Ma-Goose even got to go in the Grand Entry.

It was great seeing the children who could barely walk and our elders dancing in their gorgeous regalias!

I was fortunate enough to participate in the Miss Mantio Ahbee Princess Pageant as a judge! There were four beautiful girls in the pageant this year, who are incredible. I now know, that with young ladies like them in our communities – we are going to have such strong leaders in the future!

I enjoyed every moment from watching Crystal Shawanda rock out at the Peoples Choice Awards to dancing beside Bruce in the Grand Entry!

Nya:wen!

Manito Ahbee Festival

by Inez Jasper

November 7-9, 2008 in Winnipeg, MB

Manito Ahbee was awesome!

I has so much fun re-uniting with the other role models to share the NARMP at the Education Conference.

We were able to speak to the youth who attended the conference and promote the program by handing out posters, providing information and creating awareness about the upcoming nominations!

The next day was just as exciting because we attended the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.

What an inspiring night, to see all the nominees and winners the OUR people choose! I can’t wait to go to Manito Ahbee 2009 and hopefully I’ll be attending as an award Nominee and return home with an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards!

School and Community Assembly

by Jenna Kilabuk
November 5-7, 2008 at the Attaguttaaluk High School in Igloolik, NU




I enjoyed my visit to Igloolik, met many wonderful and welcoming students, teachers and community members.

The students are very strong and using the 10 principles.

The presentations were great. I got the chance to meet and encourage other youth to stay healthy and to try their best to love life. Some of my duties were classroom presentations, badminton and volleyball demonstrations, host a radio show and speak at a school assembly.

During the radio show, some people got emotional when I spoke about how I kept myself away from drugs and alcohol, throughout the years. That is why I play sports.

I had the change to meet Atarnaqjuat, who is a famous Inuk actor.

For more information on Healthy Living.

North East Native Advancing Society “No Limits” Career Fair

by John Carriere

October 1 - 2 at the North Peach Cultural Centre in Fort St. John, BC and the
Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre in Dawson Creek BC

Hello (Tansi) Everyone.
I would like to start off with a big thanks to all of the organizers within NENAS and NAHO who made everything possible.

I was really nervous with this being my first official trip speaking for the role model program.

It was also my first trip out to British Columbia and it was super warm and had beautiful scenery.

I was surprised with how accommodating everyone was and I was able to feel comfortable and relax a bit. I had an awesome time talking to the youth, some of them even talked to me after the workshops and at the performances.

I liked how the kids listened really well and got my cheap jokes. On a few occasions I was put on the spot with really good questions.

I had a good time making friends with the other workshop facilitators; Red Power Squad, Tracy Bone, J C Campbell and Niska Napoleon.

I had a great time attending their performances and hanging out with them.

The organizers decided that Niska and I should both do workshops together and it really helped. We were able to help each other out and keep each other on track.

I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to meet all of these awesome people and I think became a more confident speaker thanks to their help and support.

Traditional Knowledge Gathering

by Robert Horton
September 8-14, 2008 in Elsipogtog First Nation, NB





Dear Youth, Families, Elders, and Administration of Elsipogtog First Nation

First and foremost, let me extend my most heartfelt conviction of sincere appreciation for your hospitality and welcome during every single day we, NAHO and your visiting youth representatives from across Canada, were guests on your traditional homeland.

The history of the homelands, as well as the dynamic and rich culture that remains so intact and alive, is not only acknowledged but is looked upon with full respect, adoration, and humbled reverence from these eyes and heart that is behind these words, I am writing to you all.

There are no words to describe what, I believe, we all witnessed over the past week. Even moving beyond, but certainly not discounting, the incredible and integral demonstration that the indigenous peoples of Turtle Island’s culture is revitalizing and growing with light and life by means of the shaking tents and lodges, something else at the heart of the gathering swelled and began to glow with more and more time spent in your community since last Tuesday.

What was it?
I will tell you what I perceived. Hope. Belief.

Even moving beyond our ceremonies and the revitalization of our languages which define who we are as we continue creating our history and choosing to decide our future as Indigenous peoples of this land. Think of how monumental it is to see our youth walking and living with pride when so many of us have inherited the histories bestowed.

Think of how significant it is to see the flames of hope growing in the eyes of our elders who have seen the most, out of all of us, during their lifetimes on this Earth.

Think of how incredible it is when a child tells a worker in any community or calls them at home to tell them, “I want to know my language, I want to know my history, I want to know!” Imagine two youths saying this. Now imagine eight or ten. Monumental and huge phenomenon continued to occur in your beautiful community all week.

It is a miracle when these things happen as words like Hope and Belief are things many of us strive towards, but even more wonder if we will reach and grasp these things.

Belief in the Creator, ourselves, and each other…and hope for tomorrow and a tomorrow of substance, integrity and life, lived fully, as who we are as a People across Turtle Island.

My friends, these things have been reached this week and grasped with respect and appreciation, hope and a solidified belief, not only in the many pairs of eyes I was fortunate enough to see, but in the life of the humble author who is writing this letter.

Thank you all for reminding me of the standard, the integrity, the conviction, the hope, and the belief of this road that I have dedicated every remaining day of my life towards. I thank you for reminding me why I became an activist and an advocate in the beginning.

In these times of change…don’t give up. Don’t despair. There are SO many people who are counting on us (those that came before, those who walk this Earth, and those that still have yet to join us). We have to keep fighting for our youth and future across Turtle Island. Lets do more than honor and miss our Elders and teachers and leaders who have come before us. Lets vow to stick together, pick up their standard and vision, and continue their work.

Again, thank you for your welcoming hospitality and for reminding this activist the importance of this continued work. Keep in touch.

May we acknowledge, may we understand, and may fully believe; that the seventh generation is here.

In sincerity and solidarity,

Robert Animikii Horton
“Bebaamoyaash”
2008 NAHO National Aboriginal Role Model

For more on the Traditional Knowledge Gathering visit the blog Promoting Aboriginal Health.

Celebrate, Embrace and Live Life - The Inuit Way

by Bruce-Ma-Goose

September 10, 2008 in Ottawa, Ontario

I participated in the Cultural activities that took place on Parliament Hill today. The purpose of today's event was to spend time with Inuit groups and Celebrated Life and Culture on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Inuit organizations in Ottawa hosted this gathering which included Inuit throat singing, traditional games and cultural activities on Parliament Hill to celebrate and show the strengths of the Inuit way of life.


The event was a success as it celebrated Inuit culture and recognized the contributions that Inuit across Canada are making in the areas of suicide prevention and mental health promotion.

I enjoyed spending my day with the staff from the Ajunnginiq Centre of NAHO who were distributing resources on mental health at the event.

I even got my picture taken with Inuit pop star Susan Aglukark who was a special guest at the event.

North American Indigenous Games 2008

by Ry Moran
August 3-11, 2008 in Cowichan, BC

My visit to the North American Indigenous Games was one of discovery, friendship and learning. I was very fortunate to be presented the opportunity to serve in a number of different roles at the Games. This kept me extremely busy during the course of the events.

The highlights of my time spent at the Games definitely surrounded the people I met and interacted with. As part of my role model duties, I made a number of presentations and speeches to the athletes competing at the games and found this to be very inspiring. It was an incredible sight to see so many young and vibrant aboriginal youth together from across the country.

I also was deeply appreciative of the time spent with my fellow role models. Robert and I made a medal presentation together and it was excellent having the opportunity to listen to his compelling talk. He clearly is a gifted speaker. We all got together a number of times and it was really great hearing all their stories and backgrounds.

Towards the end of the games, we had a number of the role models back to our house for dinner. After a nice meal, we discussed where each other was from.

Canada is such a huge country that it can be difficult to imagine where all of these communities are. This ended up turning into a really interesting experience as each from the living room at my place. Using Google Earth, we were able to zoom right into each persons communities and see exactly where they lived. We calculated that the furthest distance between any two role models was over 7200 kms! Just goes to show what a huge country Canada is!

The North American Indigenous Games truly were a great experience. The spirit and energy of the athletes, organizers and volunteers was amazing. It was an experience that inspired me greatly and I hope that in so doing, I was able to inspire those that I came in contact with.

I am deeply thankful for having the opportunity to attend.

For more on NAHO and NARMP participation in NAIG visit the blog Journeys for Health.

Addictions and Mental Health Conference

by Suzette Amaya

July 23-24 at Skeetcheestn Indian Reserve in British Columbia

My visit to Skeetcheestn was amazing. This community is absolutely beautiful!

When I arrived to the community venue of the conference, it was filled with many service providers and adult and youth attendees. The conference was well organized and I had the opportunity to visit with community members and set up a table.

People were quite interested in who I was and what I do. At the fabulous event there were other wonderful Facilitators such as; Dakota House, Scott ward, Gordon Tootoosis, Reddnation and Fara Palmer. It was definitely a Star studded Conference with even the Honourable Steven Point.

My presentation time was shared with Dakota House. It was nice to share our time, as we both are in the Arts & Media Industry. His personal story was quite compelling.

Attendees filled the area in which I presented. I shared my life story of overcoming adversities, the goals I set for myself and how I work to achieve my dreams and manage to stabilize a healthy career and family. There were numerous questions and positive comments.

I had a wonderful time in the community and hope to return some day soon.

Thank you to all who made this event possible. HUGS to the amazing cooks who kept me FULL, as well my hands go up to all the facilitators and entertainers that made this event so special.

High School Graduation – Wasse Abin High School

by Caitlin Tolley
June 27, 2008 in Wikwemikong First Nation, ON

The high school graduation at Wasee Abin on the Wikwemikong reserve was a very remarkable evening. It was such an honour to be asked to be a guest speaker at this graduation ceremony. It was really something for me just because a week prior to attending this ceremony, I was actually graduating high school myself.




At this event, I was given the opportunity to speak to the graduating class to share my story with them. Inspire them to continue on with their education and keep walking on the path to achieving their dreams.

When it came to assisting the Director of Education hand out diplomas to the students, it was such an amazing feeling of accomplishment for me since I too just received my diploma.

I knew that each of the graduates were also proud to receive their diploma.

After the graduation ceremony, was exceptional reception and celebration for the graduates of 2008.

I am extremely proud of each of them and all of the hard work that they have put into their high school years.

RCMP visit

Recognizing Risks: Sexual Health and High Risk Partying Behaviours

by Candice Lys
May 26, 2008 at P. W. Kaeser High School in Fort Smith, NT

A community member, Gord Rothnie, and I presented to all grade nine through twelve students at PWK High School in my hometown of Fort Smith, NWT, which is a community that has a very large Aboriginal population.

I spoke to two groups of about 30 female students each and Gord talked to the young men, about safer sex, maintaining positive and empowered sexual health, minimizing high risk behaviours, and protecting themselves and their peers while partying.

In addition, I spoke about my education goals and the research I intend to conduct this fall with youth in the NWT for my Masters degree. I encouraged the youth to set education and life goals and work to achieve them, maintain healthy lifestyles, as well as assert and empower themselves within intimate relationships and peer interactions.

I felt the presentations went very well—the youth were very receptive and listened intently. They participated in all activities and asked great questions at the end of my presentation.

After the presentation, a few students and even some parents who had talked to their kids about the presentation approached me to congratulate me on my educational accomplishments and thank me for speaking to the youth in my home community.

I found that the experience was very rewarding, and I would love to do presentations on similar topics for any young people in the North and across Canada!

District School Leadership Conference

by Julie Bull
April 26-28 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

This was an amazing event. There were youth from all over Labrador joined together for three days in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. It was an honour for me to be able to join my fellow Labradorians as we learned lots of great things together.


There were presentations, sessions, icebreakers, fun activities, and we even made rockets!

I was asked to do a keynote presentation on the first day of the event. At that, I my story about how I have come to where I am right now.

Vanessa and I shared the session where we sat together and talked to young people in smaller groups about our achievements.

So many of the young people got involved in the discussion about what role models are and who the people are in their lives that they look up to. It was very inspiring when a few youth said that we were their role models. It just really made us feel like we were making a difference around us and that’s a powerful feeling.

Gathering Our Voices Youth Conference

by Jessica DunkleyMarch 21-23, 2008 in Inuvik, NT

This conference was held in Inuvik at the town community center. The Gwi’chin Tribal Council hosted this conference for all the Gwi’chin youth.

James Makokis and I were invited to be keynote speakers for the closing banquet. There were about 80 youth, community and family members.

James started off with the Buffalo Song and after he explained the significance of the song, he spoke about the importance of tradition, culture and language.

This was followed by my presentation on examples that represented the significance of James’ speech.

Then we both closed our presentation, talking about our coping strategies in medical school. We then passed around our stethoscopes that were beaded as examples of how we can educate our fellow colleagues and other people by showing them our cultural values.


I believe we made a difference for the youth. We were inspired when some youth talked to us after our speech and told us how much they enjoyed our speeches.

As the conference planner, Victor Stewart said, "if you can reach out to one or two youth, that’s all that matters."

Flying over the Arctic Circle, we were in awe at the beauty of the land and how we have so much diversity in Canada.

We were honoured to be at this conference and to be in the presence of so many caring people. If only we could stay there longer to explore more of the land’s beauty.

Se’To Skatowin 2008: National Aboriginal Youth Health Careers Conference – Congress of Aboriginal People’s National Youth Council

by Daniel McKennitt
February 21-24, 2008 in Winnipeg, MB

I enjoyed my visit to the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Health Careers Challenge Conference” held on February 21, 2008 – February 24, 2008 at the Winnipeg Convention Center.







Aboriginal students are severely under represented in health careers and hopefully through conferences such as this one, Aboriginal students in health care fields will increase.

The conference began with an exceptional opening ceremony including Elders representing all four directions (North, South, East, West). This was followed by opening remarks from members of government and Aboriginal organizations.

I was then asked by CBC Radio to conduct a telephone interview about the conference and the importance of these conferences for Aboriginal youth.

The afternoon consisted of a panel of health professionals discussing career choices and upbringing.

The next day, the conference again had panellists from different health professions telling their stories of choosing their careers.

The afternoon consisted of small group sessions including our own, NAHO/NARMP facilitated by Candice Lys and myself. Candice is such an amazing young women, who has travelled throughout the world.

After a brief introduction, Candice presented first on her story of travelling, school and leaving home.

I then presented on succeeding in sciences and how I learned to use my traditional cultural teachings to help me learn science.

I then went on to tell the students what I am currently doing, training to be a doctor, and why science is such an important foundation for this career.

After this, Candice and I went through the National Aboriginal Role Model Program PowerPoint, explaining what the program is, what NAHO is, the history of the program and what the role models do.

Three other role models, Catlin Tolley, Derek Sanderson and Julie Bull, were all in attendance and helped us answer questions the students had about being a role model, or life as a role model.

Lead Your Way!

The National Aboriginal Role Model Program celebrates the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth aged 13 to 30.

Lead Your Way! inspires Aboriginal youth to strive to reach their goals. Each year, 12 Aboriginal role models are nominated by their peers. They are selected for their achievements, leadership, and innovation.

Throughout the year, the role models will attend celebrations, school functions, workshops, and conferences to share their stories with other Aboriginal youth.

Twelve strong, accomplished and motivated youth were named Aboriginal Role Models at an award ceremony held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario on June 21, 2008.

Lead Your Way! is hosted by the National Aboriginal Health Organization and funded by Health Canada.

Review our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

The National Aboriginal Role Model Program aims to:

• Promote healthy lifestyles and self-esteem among Aboriginal Peoples.
• Strengthen Aboriginal identity.
• Create positive public images of Aboriginal Peoples.
• Facilitate availability of Aboriginal Role Models to Aboriginal youth and communities.
• Influence behaviours and attitudes of Aboriginal youth toward healthy lifestyles.
• Foster Aboriginal-inspired leadership.

Our first National Spokesperson was Jordin Tootoo. In 2004, he helped launch the program and encouraged Aboriginal youth to nominate their role models from their communities.

In 2007, we are excited to have James Makokis as our new National Spokesperson who will help promote the program.