Janna Dykstra

Janna is 22-year-old status Mi’kmaq from Pictou Landing in Nova Scotia who is in the fourth year of an honours human nutrition program at Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. An award-winning student, she is also a talented basketball coach who led the Team Mi’kmaq women’s squad at last summer’s North American Indigenous Games. One of her professors says Janna has proven to be very mature and responsible and conducts herself in a professional manner. Her sponsor praises the endless hours of effort she put in to help the women’s team get to and perform well at NAIG ’06. Janna intends to work with Nova Scotia Aboriginal communities as a registered dietician.

Christina Gobeil

Christina is 28-year-old Métis from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who is in the second year of a food and nutrition program at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Saskatoon. She is a graduate of the SIAST office education program who became so concerned about the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the Aboriginal community that she wants to get the skills and knowledge needed to help fight it. One of her instructors praises her initiative and high academic standing. Her sponsor tells us that she was chosen as president of her Aboriginal student association. After graduation, Christina plans to work in the Saskatoon Aboriginal community to help people lead healthier lives through a better diet.

Catherine Myette

Catherine is a 21-year-old member of the Kespu’kwitk Métis Council of Yarmouth and District from Antigonish County, Nova Scotia who is in the third year of an honours human nutrition program at Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. She overcame a bumpy freshman year to make the Dean’s List as a sophomore. One of her professors says she is an excellent student who is committed to making a difference for her fellow students. Her sponsor calls her a very reliable, conscientious and committed volunteer. After graduation, Catherine plans to study and work toward becoming a registered dietician.

Iona Napoleon

Iona is a 33-year-old status St’at’imc from the T’it’get First Nation in B.C. who is in the first year of a tourism management program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. She has been a professional singer and drummer for the past 15 years, appearing at pow wows and special events all over North America. One of her instructors says that Iona is a diligent and hard-working student who applies herself eagerly and professionally. Her sponsor says she is an enthusiastic and proficient volunteer organizer of community events. Iona has long wanted to get into the tourism business and is grateful she will now have the chance.

Cassandra Racicot

Cassandra is a 19-year-old Métis from Beauval, Saskatchewan who is in the third year of a nutritional and nutraceutical sciences program at the University of Guelph in Ontario. This is her second FAAY award. She recently finished compiling a manual for conducting ethical research in Canadian Aboriginal communities in conjunction with her university’s Aboriginal resource centre and ethics board. One of her instructors believes Cassandra will go far in her professional career. Her sponsor says her sense of responsibility and confidence make her an outstanding leader. Cassandra plans to develop a nutrition program to help Aboriginal women, especially on reserves, stay healthy before and after giving birth.

Leslie Sanderson

Leslie is a 23-year-old status Cree from the Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan who is in the second year of a hotel and restaurant administration program at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Saskatoon. Leslie returned to school after several years working to help make a better life for her young son. One of her instructors found her to be an interested, hard-working student who will do well in any activity she undertakes. Her sponsor speaks of her volunteer work at the school on the reserve and says she will achieve her goals because she is so determined. Leslie plans to work in the hospitality industry and eventually start her own restaurant.

Brett Clarkson

Brett is a 17-year-old Métis from Grandview, Manitoba who is in Grade 12 at the Grandview School. A very talented athlete, he has been chosen top male athlete at school for the past ten years. Brett is very interested in the Manitoba Hydro lineman trainee program after he graduates. If that doesn’t work out, he’s planning on studying auto mechanics at Red River College in Winnipeg.

Jillian Morgan

Jillian is a 16-year-old status Mohawk from Akwesasne, Ontario who is in Grade 11 at Grenville Christian College in Brockville, Ontario. She is very interested in languages and is privately studying Japanese and Korean. Jillian finds Japanese very similar to Mohawk in pronunciation. She hopes to study linguistics and interpretation at university and make a career as a translator.