Saturday, October 31, 2009

Visit to Inukjuak

By Shawn Kuliktana

October 28-30, 2009 Inukjuak, QC

My visit in Inukjuak was a great experience for me and meeting more new people and also sharing my knowledge to the youth about what we face every day and how we can make it through and making our known paths.

I felt closer to the trade students because I am around that age range and I'm into the trades too. And knowing we're going into adulthood and starting families and becoming leaders for our community. And I got to share my knowledge to them. And I hope one day they will use what I gave them for their community and family members.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Visit to Inukjuak

By Asivak Koostachin

October 29, 2009 Inukjuak,QC

This was my first time in an Inuit community. The experience was amazing. The people were nice and friendly. Especially the family I stayed with. The view as memorable and new for me. The first time I presented. I was nervous. After that, I felt confident and fearless. Some youth came up to me and Shawn and told us that we inspired them. That was nice to hear. I would most definitely want to go back.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Speaking to Ulluriaq School

By Shawn Kuliktana

October 21-22, 2009 Kangiqsualujjuaq, QC

My visit in George River was a good time with meeting new people and new faces. And also getting to share my stories and how I became a role model seeing the youth in a isolated community with not much options.
And that's where I came in and showing them we have doors open and there's so much out there for us Inuit. We just have to make a dream and go for it. And making sure we always have our doors open.

With that's telling youth that we are the future leaders and kids are already looking up to. So you always have to keep that in mind that were always going to be role models for the younger generation.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Ted Nolan Foundation Camp

By Alicia Sayers

October 17 2009 Onondaga Farms, ON

I went to the Onondaga farms, Ontario at the Tim Horton's Children Camps to speak to Aboriginal Youth(who are from my home and surrounding area) in conjunction with the Ted Nolan Foundation. This experience and opportunity was important to me because I was able to meet and interact with youth who were from my community. I had an immediate connection to the youth based on where we were from. This made the visit extremely comfortable for me. Additionally, I was there with my older sister, Mackenzie, who was chosen to teach the youth about our culture as she is teacher. I joined the event last minute to work with my sister and help facilitate her event. I enjoyed teaching and learning form the youth about The Seven Grandfathers. After the teaching sessions, my sister and I were invited to the closing ceremonies for that leg of the trip and handed out the gifts made for the youth. It was an incredible and rewarding experience.

Dreamcatchers Conference

By Jeff Ward

October 17, 2009 Edmonton, AB

I had the pleasure of co-presenting the "Lead Your Way" workshop with Karin Kettler at the Dreamcatchers youth conference in Edmonton, AB. The 2 workshops went great and during the questions part of the presentations, many people asked great questions about NARMP, what it's like to be a role model and about myself and my business. The fact that people asked such great questions and came up afterwards to continue the discussion was a good indicator for me that the workshops were a success and that people got value from it.

I graduated high school in Edmonton so even though I've been living in Victoria for many years, I still have lots of family and friends in the area. I was able to catch up with some of these people which was an opportunity that NARMP has brought me and for that I am very grateful. Where to next?

Friday, October 16, 2009

Fort St. John Youth Career Fair

By Jessica Yee

October 13-14 Fort St. John, BC


Being up north holds a special place in my heart – and I was glad to return to northern BC by way of this role model visit to Fort St. John. I was asked to talk about what being a “role model” means today – which is something I have found really interesting to talk about thus far since I feel like so many youth are role models that don’t get recognized for it – and in my eyes they are already role models just by showing up to this kind of stuff (and yes even if they have to!) I don’t feel any more of a role model than a young person who can just look in the mirror and feel okay with what they see, and in fact I really want to learn from that young person on how they do that – because there are so many people in general who aren’t in a place where they feel okay with themselves.

I had fun with the students going through some youth empowerment exercises and talking about the small to big things we have to be proud of – and how personal growth and activism with things we are passionate about can contribute greatly to collective group action to make change. Lots of the youth came and sat with me during lunch and it’s always good to visit and chat – since to me – the learning never stops!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Blueprint for the Future, Saskatoon, SK

By Suzette Amaya

November 10, 2009 Saskatoon, SK

The NAAF Blueprint Conference is always one of the BEST! Youth Conference...NAAF Does it Right! WOW! it was so well organized, great sessions and a TON of Youth!!!! I was so lucky to be able to share with a number of youth the Wonderful Perks and Stories of being one of the veteran NAHO role Models! :) Yayayya to the NAHO - NARMP Staff who put together a Wick'd Powerpoint presentation, wow it was so cool, easy to use and effective in ensuring I didn't miss anything in regards to all the NARMP has to offer and the facts! I had a lot of fun and encourage youth to check out the NAHO Website and submit to being a role model! This conference was so wonderful and such a great group! I was so pleased to be able to come and well, honestly I was there also as Joey Stylez Manager and he a FAB concert for the youth! Which is always great to share my experience with a friend and a fellow role model and young entrepreneur!

I enjoy the Blueprint conferences not only because they are so well organized and through but because the youth who attend come with the desire to make changes within their community and are to pursue their dreams and goals! Thanxs for my attendance Faba and I hope to go to a future Blueprint conference!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Community Visit to Little Buffalo, Cadotte Lake, AB

By Damian Abrahams

November 8, 2009 Little Buffalo, Cadotte Lake, AB


My trip to Little Buffalo was disheartening, knowing the conditions the youth live in made me try extra hard to reach them. I can only hope that I got through. I applaud Bryan for all that he is doing there!

I did enjoy that my name was up on their announcement board outside the school! As for the presentations, I feel they went well. I had to dilute my story for the little ones who were all so cute! A couple little girls reminded me of my baby girl.

The presentation for the older youth, though, was more detailed and the speech after was to inspire them to reach for more than they think they can get. Little Buffalo doesn't make for a good place to live for youth I was told. So I told them that when they graduate high school, they ought to look into university and that that's what I did and I was where they are when I was growing up.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Speaking in Midland, Ontario

By Jonathon Earle

Sept. 29 - Oct 1 2009 Midland, Ontario

The trip to Midland was my first speaking experience as a role model. This visit was something i really looked forward to and I was warmly greeted by the organizers of the event including many determined youth. Leading up to the start of the conference, I had the opportunity to speak with many of the organizers and the participants and during this time I learned many different stories from the region and especially the initiatives taken by the youth. This included being active in the community, planning the conference and working closely with the elders, and community partners to develop proactive solutions for the youth of the region.

This feeling resonated through the whole day after hearing many others speak and having the opportunity to speak as well. During my presentation, the audience was actively engaged in the presentation by sharing their stories and experiences. The entire experience was exhilarating and very exciting. For my first appearance as a role model, the youth and people of Midland was very accommodating and supportive.

The opportunity to speak and listen to the many people at the event exposed me to a greater appreciation for the youth of our country. The youth of Midland inspired me to continue in my own endeavors and their ongoing commitment to their region is inspirational.

Visit to Quartaq

By Jennifer Williams

December 2, 2009 Quartaq, QC

Spending time in Quartaq was an amazing experience. We visited the school there and did presentations to the teenagers, an Elder also participated in giving a presentation and it was a very great addition. The teens were very shy during the presentations but came out of their shell as we took a break to head down to the water to see a beluga whale hunt. The town was beautiful and the people very nice.

In the end of my presentation we went around the circle to ask the youth who their favourite role model was and passed out t-shirts to each person. One of the last girls said that I was her new role model and that made me feel very happy! In the afternoon Karin and I went around to the lower grades and did drum-dancing and throat-singing demonstrations for the younger children. They really enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun. We also walked around with Bruce and visited each classroom which the kids and teachers both loved. It was a great visit and I really enjoyed my time in Quartaq.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Visit to Puvirnituq

By Jenna Kilabuk

October 1 2009. Puvirnituq, QC

I’m very happy that I went on this trip. Karin had made everything easier. POV is filled with great people! I loved how welcoming the people are. I think that students had a great time with us. Presentations went really well, and so did the radio show. Thanks to everyone! We had a great time.