By Damian Abrahams
November 18 2009, New Aiyansh, BC
This visit was the best visit so far! Although it was tiring getting to the community it was worth it! My first presentation was when I arrived in their territory, they brought me out to their land and introduced me to their nation as they were having a Nisga'a nation picnic so most of their people were there. I was able to say a few words and sing a couple of songs. I found it amazing that I was not the only role model they had, every year they select one of their own as a role mode, they usually select an Elder from the community.
After the speeches and the amazing feast they had traditional songs and dances which they invited me to be a part of.
I was humbled to be welcomed into such an amazing community and I hope to return again in the future!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Louis Riel Day
By Jessica Dunkley
November 15 2009 Ottawa, ON
Carleton University was celebrating Louis Riel Day and I was invited to share my story as a Metis woman to an audience of about 15 people. There was a nice group of diverse people that came to listen to my story.
I shared my story growing up and talked about my journey through medical school through adversity and overcoming barriers to demonstrate the resiliency and strength we all develop from experiencing prejudice and stereotypes.
Pemmican, cranberry dessert and juice was served to share our traditional foods.
November 15 2009 Ottawa, ON
Carleton University was celebrating Louis Riel Day and I was invited to share my story as a Metis woman to an audience of about 15 people. There was a nice group of diverse people that came to listen to my story.
I shared my story growing up and talked about my journey through medical school through adversity and overcoming barriers to demonstrate the resiliency and strength we all develop from experiencing prejudice and stereotypes.
Pemmican, cranberry dessert and juice was served to share our traditional foods.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Lead Your Way! Be Healthy! Be Positive! Visit to Kuujjuaq
by Charlotte Qamaniq
November 12-14 2009. Kuujjuaq, QC
We arrived in Kuujjuaq on the evening of November 11 as our flight was delayed a few hours en route from Iqaluit. We stayed with Louisa and her beautiful family for the first night, and the rest of our nights at the hotel.
We spent our days at the Jaanimarik High School. This was my very first role model presentation and I was pretty nervous. We had elders come in to speak, they spoke in Inuktitut and told the students some of their life stories and lessons and they got a lot of positive feedback from the students. When it was my turn to speak I talked about how they were all role models to children younger than them; I told them about my role model and what a role model is to me. I mentioned how bullying affects people and how it was important to be considerate of other people’s feelings.
I then spoke about my experience with the Youth Suicide Prevention Walk across Canada. I emphasized how talking about our problems helps us feel better, and to be good listeners when someone seems to feel down. I answered any questions they had and told them I was available to talk to anyone as I was in town for a few days. The 2nd day I had a lot of fun playing soccer with some students followed by pizza and juice, this was probably the highlight of my trip.
The 3rd day we managed to pull off an amazing community feast with games and prizes, door prizes and a short presentation. I was impressed with how many showed up, we had about 300-350 people come and share their evening with us. Over all, I had a really good trip in Nunavik and hope that they enjoyed their time with us as much as I did with them.
November 12-14 2009. Kuujjuaq, QC
We arrived in Kuujjuaq on the evening of November 11 as our flight was delayed a few hours en route from Iqaluit. We stayed with Louisa and her beautiful family for the first night, and the rest of our nights at the hotel.
We spent our days at the Jaanimarik High School. This was my very first role model presentation and I was pretty nervous. We had elders come in to speak, they spoke in Inuktitut and told the students some of their life stories and lessons and they got a lot of positive feedback from the students. When it was my turn to speak I talked about how they were all role models to children younger than them; I told them about my role model and what a role model is to me. I mentioned how bullying affects people and how it was important to be considerate of other people’s feelings.
I then spoke about my experience with the Youth Suicide Prevention Walk across Canada. I emphasized how talking about our problems helps us feel better, and to be good listeners when someone seems to feel down. I answered any questions they had and told them I was available to talk to anyone as I was in town for a few days. The 2nd day I had a lot of fun playing soccer with some students followed by pizza and juice, this was probably the highlight of my trip.
The 3rd day we managed to pull off an amazing community feast with games and prizes, door prizes and a short presentation. I was impressed with how many showed up, we had about 300-350 people come and share their evening with us. Over all, I had a really good trip in Nunavik and hope that they enjoyed their time with us as much as I did with them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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