Camilla is a 17-year old status Ojibway from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario who is in grade 12 at St. Clair Secondary School in Sarnia. She is an honour roll student who is active in student parliament and helps her elderly neighbours with their yard work. Camilla plans to attend university and teachers college and teach high school English and History.

Joanna is a 17-year old non-status Aboriginal from Toronto who is in grade 12 at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School. She is an outstanding athlete, a unanimous choice by her school’s coaches for Senior Athlete of the Year, who has been on the honour roll throughout high school. After graduation Joanna would like to enter either law enforcement or early childhood education.

Tasha is a 17-year old non-status Cree from Winnipeg, Manitoba who is in grade 12 at Collège Churchill in Winnipeg. She is on the honour roll at her French immersion school. She is a founding member of United Against Racism - Aboriginal Youth Circle and has organized many events for the group. Tasha plans to attend the University of Winnipeg and study education. She hopes to make a career teaching and helping to make the school system more positive and welcoming for Aboriginal students.

Sara is a 16-year old Métis in grade 11 at Viscount Central School in Viscount, Saskatchewan. She has been on the honour roll since grade 3, has won numerous academic and artistic awards and is President of her student council. Sara also plays volleyball, basketball and badminton and is an enthusiastic curler. She is thinking of studying dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan after she graduates, but that is not set in stone because there are many other fields she is interested in.

Dakota is a 17-year old status Cree/Dakota from Saskatchewan’s Okanese First Nation who is in grade 12 at Miller Comprehensive High School in Regina. He is an honours student who has starred in school drama productions, plays in the school band and started a chess club. Dakota has spent much time helping younger students at his old public school. He plans to attend university to study biomechanics or some other area of technology.

Crystal is a 17-year old Métis from Mayerthorpe, Alberta who is in grade 12 at Mayerthorpe Junior Senior High School. She is an outstanding student, the Vice President of her graduating class and a member of her school’s Native Liaison Group. Once she has finished high school, Crystal plans to study dental hygiene at the University of Alberta.

Solita is a 16-year old Métis from Lac La Biche, Alberta who is in grade 11 at J.A. Williams High School in Lac La Biche. This is her second FAAY award. She is recognized as an award-winning leader who keeps up excellent marks despite all the time she puts in volunteering at the local Friendship Centre. Solita plans to go to university to study to become either a chemical engineer or a surgeon.

Mario is a 17-year old Métis from St. Georges, Manitoba who is in grade 12 at the bilingual Ecole Powerview School in Powerview, Manitoba. He is a consistent honours student, a medal-winning athlete and a well-known Métis fiddler. He was named the 2005 National Métis Youth Role Model for Culture and Heritage. Mario plans to study psychology and criminology at university and hopes to make a career in the RCMP.

Jillian is a 16-year old non-status Cree from Mikisew Cree First Nation in Alberta who is currently in grade 11 at Mount Baker Secondary School in Cranbrook, B.C. She is a leader in her school, academically accomplished and a respected community volunteer. Jillian’s personal plan is to become an aerospace engineer and one day work for the Canadian Space Agency.

Christy is a 14-year old member of the Labrador Métis Nation from Forteau, Newfoundland and Labrador who is in grade 9 at the Mountain Field Academy in Forteau. She is an A+ student and a talented visual artist who won a trip to the Athens 2004 Olympics in an art contest. Christy was one of 14 people in Canada who won the Canada Day Youth Award this year. She expects to make a career in the visual or performing arts.

Rankin is an 18-year old Métis from Mabou, Nova Scotia who is in grade 12 at Dalbrae Academy in Mabou. He is an honours student who volunteers for many activities in his church and community, including playing the bagpipes at special events. This year he was chosen to attend the prestigious Shad Valley Summer Camp in Calgary. Rankin plans to study bio-mechanical engineering at St. Francis Xavier University.

Lyndon is a 17-year old Métis from Winnipegosis, Manitoba who is in grade 12 at Winnipegosis Collegiate Institute. This is his fourth FAAY award. He is known around town as “the computer guy”. He volunteers widely in the community and participates in many extra-curricular activities at school. Next year Lyndon hopes to attend Assiniboine Community College to study computer systems technology.

Tamera is a 14-year old status Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Québec who is in grade 9 at Kitigan Zibi Kikinamadinan in Maniwaki. She is an outstanding athlete and scholar and a sought-after pow wow dancer. She also commits time to help out with community events. Tamera plans to finish high school and then attend university and law school to study family law.

Sandi is a 17-year old Métis from Beaverlodge, Alberta who is in grade 12 at Beaverlodge Regional High School. This is her second FAAY award. She is an excellent student, a published author, a talented hockey player and a dedicated community volunteer. Last year she was her school’s ambassador for the Encounters with Canada program in Ottawa. Sandi plans to attend university to study psychology or psychiatry.

Lori is a 16-year old status Chilcotin from Xeni Gwet’in First Nation in northern B.C. who is in grade 11 at Columneetza Secondary School in Williams Lake. She is an award-winning student, an enthusiastic soccer player and a talented pow wow dancer. After high school Lori plans to attend the University of British Columbia and study either law or forensic science.

Shawna is a 15-year old status Ojibway from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in Manitoba who is in grade 10 at Balmoral Hall School in Winnipeg. She has been an honours student every year she has been in school. Shawna is also a talented athlete and competitive jingle dancer who volunteers as a traditional dance teacher at the Manitoba Youth Centre, a young offender facility in Winnipeg. She plans to attend medical school after university and study pediatrics.

Drew is a 14-year old Métis from Trenton, Ontario who is in grade 9 at St. Paul’s Secondary School in Trenton. A talented actor, he also excels in sports and at school. One of his teachers was impressed with how he handled a difficult home situation while maintaining good humour and concentration at school. Drew is good in math and drama and might pursue either in the future.

Kate is a 16-year old non-status Carrier/Stolo from Grand Forks, B.C. who is in grade 11 at Grand Forks Secondary School. She is a talented poet, musician and artist who has been on the honour roll every year. Kate plans to attend the University of British Columbia and eventually become a high school teacher.

Chelsie is an 18-year old Cree/Métis from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who is in grade 12 at Nutana Collegiate Institute in Saskatoon. This is her second FAAY award. She received an academic achievement award last year despite a very busy volunteer schedule and the various commitments required of a single parent. Chelsie plans to go to the University of Saskatchewan next year to prepare to study dentistry.

Sterling is a 15-year old status Mohawk from Kanehsatake Mohawk Territory who is in grade 10 at Ratihen:Te High School in Kanehsatake. This is his second FAAY award. He made it on to the Principal’s honour roll last year and intends to stay there this year. His goal remains to go to college to study business and then to open a business of his own.

Caitlin is a 14-year old status Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Québec who is in grade 9 at Kitigan Zibi Kikinamadinan in Maniwaki. An award-winning athlete, she maintains high academic standing and won a trip to the Yukon Science Camp for having the best project at a regional science fair this year. After high school, Caitlin plans to study education at university and eventually become a teacher.

Zabrina is an 18-year old status Mi’kmaq from Glooscap First Nation in Nova Scotia who is in grade 12 at King’s-Edgehill School in Windsor, Nova Scotia. She is maintaining honours-level marks in the difficult International Baccalaureate (IB) program despite being extremely active in the community. She was chosen to travel to Europe this year as part of the group of Aboriginal veterans who called home the spirits of their fallen comrades. Zabrina plans to study political science at university and eventually go into politics.