Marie is a 43-year old status Mohawk from Kanehsatake, Mohawk Territory who is in the fourth year of a communications and cultural studies program at Concordia University in Montréal. Marie worked for many years at the Kanehsatake Resource Centre before deciding to return to school. She helped set up the local radio station in 1987 and volunteered as a broadcaster during the defence of the pines in 1990 and for many years after. One of her professors says she is a diligent and keen student. Her sponsor speaks of her invaluable work at the radio station and the important role she has played in organizing the traditional pow wow. Marie plans to work developing curriculum material for Aboriginal community schools after she finishes university.

Jordan is a 27-year old status Mohawk from Wahta Mohawk First Nation in Muskoka, Ontario who is in the first year of a master’s degree in anthropology at Concordia University in Montréal. She received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Concordia last year. One of her professors calls her an excellent teaching assistant, competent, responsible and an equally excellent student. Her sponsor says her commitment to community stands out in the academic research she has undertaken. Jordan is very proud that she overcame a learning disability and has made it to grad school. She is exploring the female Aboriginal identity as it is experienced in an urban setting and hopes to use her findings to help her traditions flourish in a contemporary setting.

Rainey is a 53-year old Métis from Riverton, Manitoba who is in the fifth year of a PhD program in native studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. This is her fourth FAAY award. Rainey was also awarded a prestigious U.S./Canada Fulbright scholarship this year. She is spending much of this year on leave from her full-time job at the University of Manitoba doing research in Wisconsin to complete her doctorate. One of her professors calls her thesis topic outstanding: Rainey is working on a history of the Western Door of the Midewiwin Lodge. Her sponsor considers her to be an important asset to her organization, tribe and community. After she is awarded her doctorate Rainey plans to continue to develop Aboriginal higher education programs.

Jillian is an 18-year old Métis from Antigonish County, Nova Scotia who is in the first year of a human kinetics program at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. This is her second FAAY award. Jillian received the Governor General’s Academic Medal for academic excellence when she graduated from high school at the top of her class. She is also a committed community volunteer. One of her teachers calls her a joy to teach and calls her a kind and caring person. Her sponsor says she works well in a group and has the ability to work independently as a leader. Jillian hopes to one day study physiotherapy.

Jennifer is an 18-year old status Mohawk from Kanehsatake, Mohawk Territory who is in the first year of a psychology program at Vanier College in St. Laurent, Québec. This is her fourth FAAY award. One of her teachers says she did very well academically and displayed great enthusiasm and initiative in organizing school fundraising events. Her sponsor calls her mature, self-sufficient and reliable. After finishing her studies at Vanier, Jennifer plans to study criminology at university.

Brigitte is a 17-year old status Dene from Northlands First Nation in Manitoba who is in grade 12 at Petit Casimir Memorial School in Lac Brochet. An A student, in 2005 she won a scholarship to spend the summer studying at the Deep River Science Academy in Pinawa, Manitoba where she excelled. Brigitte is not sure what she will study at university, but everyone who knows her thinks she will excel there, too.

Sonya is a 16-year old member of the Temiskaming Métis Community Council who is in grade 10 at Timiskaming District Secondary School in New Liskeard, Ontario. Despite coming from a difficult family situation, she is an active community volunteer and accomplished public speaker. After she finishes high school Sonya would like to study languages or computer science at college or university.

Valerie is a 17-year old status Mohawk from Kanehsatake Mohawk Territory who is in grade 11 at Lake of Two Mountains High School in Two Mountains, Québec. This is her second FAAY award. She is an award-winning student who is working hard to make a difference in her troubled community. After graduation Valerie plans to study nutrition and come home to help her people achieve better health.

Matt is a 16-year old Métis from Kamloops, British Columbia who is in grade 11 at Ecole Secondaire South Kamloops Secondary in Kamloops. Matt is an A student and an outstanding skier, mountain biker, football and baseball player. After high school Matt plans to study engineering or make a career in adventure guiding.

Katelyn is a 16-year old Inuk member of the Labrador Inuit Association from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador who is in grade 11 at Mealy Mountain Collegiate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This is her second FAAY award. Her grades are consistently in the 80% range and she volunteers with the Canadian Cancer Society every year. Katelyn would like to go to Dalhousie University to study nursing or medicine.

Waylon is a status Chippewa with Inuvaluktun heritage from Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories who is in grade 12 at Beaverlodge Regional High School in Beaverlodge, Alberta. He is a two-time winner of the Rutherford Scholarship, which requires an 80%+ average; he plans on getting the same average this year, despite coping with his parent’s recent separation. Waylon plans to study biology at the University of Alberta after he finishes high school.

Denby is a 17-year old Métis from The Pas, Manitoba who is in grade 12 at Springfield Collegiate Institute in Oak Bank, Manitoba. She has managed to maintain good grades and an active athletic and volunteer regimen despite a very difficult home life. She was also Vice-president of her student council. Denby hopes to study law at university one day.

Jillian is a 15-year old status Mohawk from St. Regis Akwesasne, Mohawk Territory who is in grade 10 at Grenville Christian College in Brockville, Ontario. This is her second FAAY award. She is a talented actor and award-winning scholar who finds time to help out at her old elementary school when she is back home. After graduation, Jillian would like to study history or archaeology and is particularly interested in Egyptian civilization, although she plans to continue her performing career.

Lisa is a 16-year old Inuk from Arviat, Nunavut who is in grade 11 at Qitiqliq High School in Arviat. She is an award-winning student and athlete who likes to spend her weekends out on the land with her family or going to the library and using the internet. This is her second FAAY award. After high school, Lisa would like to go to university and one day start her own business.

Spencer is a 13-year old status Mohawk from Kahnawake, Québec who is in grades 9 and 10 at Petit Casimir Memorial School in Lac Brochet, Manitoba, where he and his mother now live. An outstanding scholar, he has won awards in many subjects and finds time to attend Junior Canadian Rangers meetings. After high school, Spencer would like to study engineering at McGill University in Montréal.