Christina Akey

Christina is an 18-year-old status Mohawk from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation in Ontario who is in Grade 12 at Nicholson Catholic College in Belleville, Ontario. She is a talented dancer who works hard at school and volunteers extensively in her church and the community. Christina plans to go to college to qualify as a personal support worker and eventually become a registered nurse.

Matthew Brass-Belanger

Matthew is an 18-year-old status Cree from the Sapotaweyak First Nation in Manitoba who is in Grade 12 at the Children of the Earth High School in Winnipeg. He had a difficult few years in foster care, but is now back with his mother and winning academic awards at school. He wants to run his own business after he completes university, which he plans to start next year.

Branden Bull

Branden is a 16-year-old status Cree from the Whitefish Lake #128 First Nation in Alberta who is in Grade 11 at Ashmont Secondary in Ashmont, Alberta. He has maintained an honours average every year he has been in school. Brandon is also a talented hockey and basketball player and a member of the school math team. He plans to study engineering at the University of Alberta.

Leanna Chartrand

Leanna is a 17-year-old Métis from Winnipeg who is in Grade 12 at West Kildonan Collegiate in Winnipeg. She is an honours student who is a talented singer and dancer and active community volunteer. She spent last summer learning about her culture and is proud to be a Red River Métis. Leanna plans to study communications at either college or university and go into broadcasting or journalism.

Annie Commando

Annie is a 16-year-old status Algonquin from the Kitigan Zibi First Nation in Quebec who is in Grade 11 at the Kitigan Zibi School in Maniwaki. She is a talented and hard-working student whose favourite pastime is reading. Annie also volunteers at the local daycare centre as often as she can. She is thinking about pursuing a career in either journalism or law after university.

Alana Demkiw

Alana is a 16-year-old status Cree from the Flying Dust First Nation in Saskatchewan who is in Grade 11 at St. Mary High in Prince Albert. Despite a troubled family life, she has become an excellent student and a talented member of her school dance team. After she finishes high school, Alana plans to attend the University of Saskatchewan to study child psychology.

Solita Desjarlais

Solita is a 17-year-old Métis from Lac La Biche, Alberta who is in Grade 12 at J.A. Williams High in Lac La Biche. This is her third FAAY award. She has been on the honour roll every year since kindergarten and is an active member of her school, her community and her church. Solita plans to study musical theater or drama in college next year.

Jillian Eunson

Jillian is a 17-year-old non-status Cree from the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Alberta who is in Grade 12 at Mount Baker Secondary in Cranbrook, British Columbia. An honours student, she was chosen to participate in the prestigious Shad Valley program in Ottawa last summer. This has whetted Jillian’s ambition to become an aerospace engineer and work at NASA or the Canadian Space Agency.

Roxanne Gagnon-Paradis

Roxanne is a 17-year-old non-status Algonquin/Métis from Loretteville, Quebec who is in Grade 12 at the Petit Seminaire in Quebec City. She has not let her diabetes hold her back from an exhausting program of sports and athletics. Roxanne has also maintained a 90+ average. She plans to study sciences at junior college next year and thinks she might one day go into politics.

Christy Groves

Christy is a 15-year-old member of the Labrador Métis Nation from Forteau, Newfoundland and Labrador, who is in Grade 10 at the Mountain Field Academy in Forteau. This is her second FAAY award. A talented painter, her work was exhibited at the first Aboriginal Youth Arts Gathering last summer and at The Rooms, the provincial art gallery in St. John’s. Christy plans to make a career as an artist.

Cassie Hanratty

Cassie is a 17-year-old non-status Mi’kmaq from Newfoundland and Labrador, who is in Grade 12 at Osgoode Township High School in Metcalfe, Ontario. An excellent student, Cassie is also a talented alto sax player in the school band and a member of their Reach for the Top team. Cassie hopes to become a teacher after university.

Ayla Joe

Ayla is a 17-year-old non-status Navajo/Thompson from the Navajo Crown Point Reservation in New Mexico who is in Grade 12 at South Kamloops Secondary in British Columbia. An excellent student and athlete, she was on her school’s E-Spirit business planning team and traveled to Quebec City for the finals. Ayla is very interested in art and plans to seek a Bachelor of Fine Art and eventually own her own gallery.

Keith Letendre

Keith is a 13-year-old Métis from Burnaby, British Columbia who is in Grade nine at Eagle River Secondary in Sicamous. An award-winning student and athlete, he has a black belt in taekwondo and is an Army Cadet. Keith plans to study engineering at university, to follow in the footsteps of his engineer father who is suffering from ALS.

Jonathan Melong

Jonathan is a 17-year-old member of the Kespu’kwitk Métis Council of Nova Scotia who is in Grade 12 at East Antigonish Centre/Academy in Antigonish. He has maintained an average of over 98% throughout high school and has won many awards for his academic, athletic and volunteer achievements. He is currently president of his student council. Jonathan’s ambition is to attend medical school and then practice as an anesthesiologist.

Adam Mildenberger

Adam is a 16-year-old non-status Aboriginal from Beaverlodge, Alberta who is in Grade 11 at Beaverlodge Regional High School. He is very involved with school sports and maintains an A average despite all the time he puts in as an award-winning community volunteer. Adam plans to study biochemistry and make a career in medical research.

Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick

Desiree is a 17-year-old status Ojibway from the Grassy Narrows First Nation in Ontario who is in Grade 12 at École Sisler High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a hard-working student in the French immersion program. Desiree has been attending an engineering camp for young Aboriginal women for the last four years. She enjoyed it so much she is now planning to study engineering at university.

Carmel (Shawna) Olson

Carmel is a 16-year-old status Ojibway from the Brokenhead First Nation in Manitoba who is in Grade 11 at Balmoral Hall School in Winnipeg. She is a champion jingle dress dancer who has won competitions throughout Canada and the U.S., while maintaining an honours average every year she has been in school. Carmel plans to study medicine after high school and eventually practice as a pediatrician.

Kaylee Jill Phillips

Kaylee is a 17-year-old Métis of Saulteaux and Cree heritage from Snow Lake, Manitoba who is in Grade 12 at J.H. Kerr High in Snow Lake. She is a diligent student who is also a talented figure skater and volunteer coach. Kaylee recognizes the limitations a lack of education would impose on her, so she plans to study social work at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and work helping battered women.

Cheyenne Simon

Cheyenne is a 14-year-old status Mohawk from Kanehsatake, Quebec who is in Grade nine at Ratihen:te High School in Kanehsatake. She is a diligent and hard-working student who is also a talented dancer. Cheyenne had her first job as a community camp councillor last summer, which she enjoyed very much. Cheyenne plans to attend college and university and return home to open a travel agency.

Danny Stone

Danny is a 16-year-old Métis from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan who is in Grade 11 at St. Mary High in Prince Albert. She is an honours student who excels in track, basketball and hockey, setting many local and provincial records along the way. Danny hopes to study medicine and one day specialize in anesthesiology.

Eric Wasylenko

Eric is a 17-year-old Métis from Cook’s Creek, Manitoba who is in Grade 12 at Springfield Collegiate in Oakbank, Manitoba. An honours student throughout his school career, Eric is a competitive junior curler and coach who dreams about wearing the bison on his back at a national event some day. After high school, Eric plans to study either business or psychology at university.

Ravenna Williams

Ravenna is a 16-year-old status Ojibwe from the Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario who is in Grade 11 at St. Clair Secondary in nearby Sarnia, Ontario. She is an A student who has won many awards for her academic efforts. She is very proud of her ability to speak the Ojibwe language, which she plans to study further before she goes to university. Ravenna hopes to make a career as a teacher of high school in Ojibwe.