8 – Leaders of Tomorrow 2010 Monday, March 29, 2010 — THE MEDICINE HAT NEWS

The Leaders of Tomorrow Awards are used to recognize outstanding youth in the community and surrounding area who contribute more than their share to society. Moira Rainville, without a doubt possesses a desire to volunteer and be a contributing member of society. This fourteen- year-old Grade 9 student shows a commitment to her Métis culture and community through the many activities she participates in at the Miywasin Centre. Moira has been participating in Métis jigging for approximately four years. Since learning how to perform the Métis jig she has performed in events out at Elkwater Provincial Park, Aboriginal Days, Fort Walsh Historic Site, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and Métis events in Medicine Hat and area. Moira regularly attends weekly practices at the Miywasin Centre, and outside of her jigging practice you often see her continuing to jig.

Moira Rainville

Not only does Moira participate in Métis jigging, but she takes part in fiddle lessons, which is a traditional Métis instrument, another way she preserves her Métis culture. She regularly attends fiddle lessons, and will play for the youth at youth events. She has been learning many songs on the fiddle as well as traditional Métis music.

Moira also regularly attends the Miywasin Youth Program through the UMAYC Initiative. This program is designed to meet the basic needs of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal youth as well as having a strong cultural component. The program is designed to be a crime-prevention initiative focusing youth on more positive activities. This may mean travelling to Aboriginal Youth Conferences, Métis Gatherings, Cultural Events, as well as Cultural Nights. Whenever this is the case, Moira regularly takes part in attending these events. Over the past four years Moira has travelled to many different youth conferences as well as takes part in youth programming regularly at least once a week.

Not only has Moira displayed a strong desire to preserve her Métis culture, but she has also been recognized as being an outstanding Métis youth. This year Moira was chosen as one of the torch bearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. She was also recognized at this year's Miywasin Elders Banquet and won an Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award for her contribution to the society, preservation of culture, and her commitment to the youth program.

Moira is a well-rounded Métis youth. She manages to work hard at preserving Metis culture a well as continuing to keep an A average in her studies, volunteering for other organizations such as The United Way, school functions, teaching Sunday school at her church, and participating in drama productions put on through her school. Moira truly is a young Métis role model for other youth.

Moira Rainville deserves a Leaders of Tomorrow Award as it is evident this young woman is committed to volunteering and contributing to the success of Medicine Hat and area. She is very proud of her roots and makes it known that she is Métis. She is a well-rounded youth, an A student in school, and awarding Moira for her accomplishments will not only recognize her for her achievements, but encourage other youth in the community to be proud of who they are and commit to volunteering and making more positive activity choices in Medicine Hat.

Swimming, swimming, swimming is what comes to mind when you think of Angel Slack. Indeed, it is true that she spends a lot of time training and competing with AMAC. However, swimming is not the only thing that defines Angel. In 2005 she shaved her hair off for cancer research. She is planning to participate in a missions trip next year to Trinidad. She also has a willingness to always give a kind word and a helpful hand to anyone in need. For me, Angel is a breath of fresh air, someone who is always joyful no matter the circumstances, and simply a person you want to be around.

Angel Slack

The Leaders of Tomorrow Awards are designed to recognize exceptional youth in the community who go above and beyond to contribute to their community, and what they believe in. Nyree Rainville, without a doubt, does this. Much like her older sister, Nyree shows a commitment to her Métis culture and community through the many activities she participates in at the Miywasin Centre. Nyree has been participating in Métis jigging for approximately four years. Since learning how to perform the Métis jig she has performed in events out at Elkwater Provincial Park, Aboriginal Days, Fort Walsh Historic Site, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and Métis events in Medicine Hat and area. Nyree regularly attends weekly practices at the Miywasin Centre, and outside of her jigging practice you often see her continuing to jig.

Nyree Rainville

Not only does Nyree participate in Metis jigging, but she takes part in piano lessons as another way of preserving her Métis culture, as well as keeping busy with positive activities. Nyree regularly attends piano lessons, and commonly sits and plays the piano at youth events. She strives to learn more, and enjoys entertaining for others at youth events.

Sarah Stober is a fourth grade student at Ross Glen School. She is a good citizen and is always willing to help others in our classroom. Whever there is a task to be completed, and I am asking for volunteers to help out, her hand is always raised to offer help. Sarah also helps her mother and the School Council when it is time to organize school dances and other events. Sarah is actively involved in our intramural program. She is currently the house point leader for her age group. Sarah does well in school and is on the honour roll. She has taken piano lessons for three years and has won festival competitions. Sarah enjoys being active and has been involved in many organized sports lessons and leagues. Sarah is also involved in the community. She is currently volunteering at the Post, a second-hand store, once or twice a week. She organizes and prices the donated items to put out on the floor. She also takes any unsold items that could be used for animals to the SPCA. During the holiday season Sarah rings the Salvation Army bells at different kettle locations in the city. Sarah is also involved globally. She decided, on her own, that she would sponsor a young girl through World Vision. She puts money away monthly to help cover the expense. Sarah is a very busy young lady, and she is very deserving of this nomination.

Sarah Stober

Not only does Nyree participate in traditional Metis music and dance, she also regularly attends the Miywasin Youth Program through the UMAYC Initiative. This program is designed to meet the basic needs of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal youth as well as having a strong cultural component. This may mean traveling to Aboriginal Youth Conferences, Métis Gatherings, Cultural Events, as well as Cultural Nights. Whenever this is the case, Nyree regularly takes part in attending these events. Over the past year, Nyree has attended many youth conferences as well as attends youth programming at least twice a week.

In the past, Nyree has taken part in Michif lessons, the traditional Métis language. She also is fluent in French and currently attends Ecole Les Cypres, a French middle school in Medicine Hat. Nyree is able to sing songs in French, and also honours her French heritage.

Nyree is a well-rounded Métis youth. She manages to work hard at preserving Métis culture as well as continuing to keep an A average in her studies, and volunteering for other organizations, participating in sports including weekly badminton at Miywasin and participating in drama productions put on through her school. For only being 12-years-old, Nyree is actively busy volunteering, fundraising, and will always lend a helping hand with a huge smile on her face. Nyree truly is a young Metis role model for other youth.

Nyree Rainville deserves a Leaders of Tomorrow Award. It is evident this young woman is committed to the preservation of Métis culture, as well as takes part in many positive activities. She is very proud of her roots and makes it known that she is Métis. She is a well-rounded youth, an A student in school and awarding Nyree for her accomplishments will not only recognize her for her achievements, but encourage others to make positive lifestyle choices such as Nyree has.

All Leaders of Tomorrow biographies submitted by nominators

Thank You!

...and our honourary Chairperson

Terri Clark

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