Crystal Cunard

Crystal is a 23-year-old Métis from Courtney, B.C. who is in the final year of a commerce program at the Asper School at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. This is her fourth FAAY award. Crystal is working as a volunteer tutor for students in the Aboriginal Business Education Program at U of M this year. One of her instructors says she is outstanding academically and an excellent worker. Her sponsor says she is proud to have Crystal as a part of their community. After graduation, Crystal will attend the Chartered Accountant School of Business to pursue her CA designation.

Krista Dawn Hurton

Krista is a 28-year-old status Cree from the Red Pheasant First Nation in Saskatchewan who is in the first year of a business management program at Excel Career College in Campbell River, B.C. She is a graduate of the health care office assistant program at Excel College. Krista has traveled widely and loves living on Vancouver Island with her young son. One of her instructors says Krista has very specific goals and rates her as a superior student. Her sponsor calls her reliable and friendly. Krista’s family recycles used vegetable oil which they process into bio-diesel to run their trucks. Krista is hoping her education will help when they open a bio-diesel manufacturing plant.

Jessica Landry

Jessica is a 19-year-old status Dene from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in the Northwest Territories who is in the first year of an early childhood development program at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She is an avid soccer player and coach who has represented the Territories at the Arctic Winter Games. One of her teachers says her willingness to work hard will lead her to great success. Her sponsor, her long-time coach, calls her friendly, helpful, hard-working and responsible. Jessica had a tremendous experience at a science camp on the tundra last year and has decided to pursue an environmental program after she graduates in early childhood development.

Valerie Moore

Valerie is a 21-year-old non-status Algonquin from Maniwaki, Quebec who is in the second year of a business administration program at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke. She graduated from a commerce program from Heritage College in Gatineau with “great academic achievement”. Valerie was on the Dean’s List in her first year at Bishop’s. One of her professors says she demonstrates great leadership skills and is fully dedicated to her studies. Her sponsor says everything she attempts is done with much energy, good humour and dedication and calls her an exceptional student and an asset to her community. After she finishes her course at Bishop’s, Valerie plans to return to Maniwaki and use her skills to help her community.

Renae Putulik

Renae is a 24-year-old Inuk from Chesterfield, Nunavut Inlet who is in the first year of a nursing program at Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit, Nunavut. She and her spouse have two children. She was elected president of her student council when she was in high school. One of her teachers tells us that Renae keeps in touch with home by phoning the local radio station during the noontime broadcast to talk to the young people to whom she became a role model. Another says that she works hard to maintain a balance between family and school. After graduation, Renae hopes to return home to work as a nurse.

Allison Strong

Allison is a 22-year-old Métis from Freshwater, Newfoundland and Labrador who is in the first year of a master’s program in speech-language pathology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. She is a graduate of Memorial University St. John’s. She was an active campus volunteer at Memorial, including a term as co-president of Student Linguistics. One of her professors says Allison is very mature, reliable and professional and a brilliant student. Her sponsor tells us she is bright and dedicated and deeply committed to both her studies and her community. After she completes her education, Allison hopes to work with the Aboriginal communities in the rural areas of her home province.

Adelia Rankin

Adelia is a 17-year-old status Mi’kmaq from the Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia who is in Grade 12 at Northumberland Regional High in Westville, Nova Scotia. She is an A student who has won many academic awards and volunteers in the community and at her church. Adelia plans to study culinary arts and accounting at college and one day start her own business.

Christa Therrien

Christa is a 23-year-old Métis who is in the first year of a youth recreation leader program at Red River College in Winnipeg. She recently graduated from the St. Vital Adult Education Centre where she completed high school after several years in the workforce. Christa returned to school to make a better life for her young daughter. She knows the only way to do that is through education.

Sam Upton

Sam is a 16-year-old Inuk member of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association in Nunavut who is in Grade 10 at the North East Kings Education Centre in Canning, Nova Scotia. Sam is a talented musician and athlete who was able to overcome a learning disability and become an excellent student. After high school, Sam is thinking about studying computer science.