Youth own up to the title of role model

Robert Animikii Horton describes himself as an activist, first and foremost - an Anishanabe of the Marten clan - greatly inspired by his mother, his extended family, and by Minnesotan Senator Paul Wellstone who said, "Never separate the life you live from the words you speak."
Horton seems to have taken this message to heart all his life.
"My biggest message to youth today, to all First Nations people today, is, we are survivors," Horton said in a telephone interview from his Ontario home near Thunder Bay. "We need to have pride in our strength that we are still standing, and still standing strong, after 500 years of living as a conquered people ­ what other conquered nations can say that, from the ancient Babylonians and Mesopotamians onwards."
And that very simple but firmly proud assertion drives home why Horton has been selected as one of 12 role models from across Canada for the National Aboriginal Role Model Program, which is in the fifth year of sponsorship from the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).
Horton notes the other 11 nominees are "really incredible individuals coming from a variety of Indigenous nations - activists, mentors, educators, youth advocates ­ who all make me really proud to be who I am."
John Carriere of Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, is one such man who was not only surprised when his friends told him of his nomination, but also decided to keep it a secret from his family. In fact, he didn't let them know he'd even been chosen until a week before he was flown to Ottawa with the other 11 delegates to be presented the award by the Governor General during the National Aboriginal Day celebrations in June.
"I'm just a regular guy," said Carriere, adding that it was an amazing time in Ottawa meeting the other delegates, the Governor General, and Phil Fontaine, and receiving training with newfound friends which also gave him confidence to proceed. The upcoming year includes media attention, public appearances, speaking engagements, youth conferences and other events and gatherings across the country. "I'm deeply honoured."
Carriere is a Bachelor of Arts graduate from the Northern Professional Access Program who also volunteers at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre and in the community. Despite a major health issue (hemophilia) he's an accomplished athlete in a variety of sports including dog sled, canoe, and basketball.
John spoke of how exceptional and inspiring the other nominees had been, and the importance in his own life of having an older role model.
"I had an unhealthy lifestyle and had gained a lot of weight, partly because of my illness," said Carriere. "I had an older cousin who was a mentor to me - he took me aside, helped me out learning to play basketball,just really gave me confidence."
As a result he grew from the shy awkward boy who was picked on because he was overweight and a hemophiliac, to a physically active community leader making a difference in the lives of other youth. Because sports has helped him overcome so much, he hopes to continue a career combining sports with youth.
"The one thing that also really helped me is to seek out others who are role models, people that can help you out, listen to you, give good advice and people that live a healthy lifestyle and promote it," Carriere said.
But most of all, Carriere will hold himself to a high standard as a role model for other youth; and Horton agrees that "the bar is set high", which he see as positive.
A spoken word poet, an accomplished scholar who at the age of 26 has his Masters and is already being included in an introductory sociology textbook as a First Nations sociologist, and a tireless advocate for both youth and justice, Horton directed action-oriented research assessing the educational needs and concerns of students from Rainy River First Nations.
He authored a social and political analysis for Manitou Rapids, "Currents and Still Waters: A Manitou Rapids Manifesto," to bring recommendations for change in his community. He has been asked to sit as a trustee on the Rainy River First Nations community fund, following their historic $71million land claim.
(In 1914 Treaty 3 was broken when the federal government took six communities and 46,000 acres over, and amalgamated them into one reserve. Under the Indian Act, they weren't allowed to hire a lawyer. When the land claim policy came into effect more than half a century later, lawyer Ryan McLeod began to work with Rainy River, but it took close to 90 years to redress a straightforward claim and compensation.)
"We're a progressive community," noted Horton, who has been given the three descriptors each role leader receives as their unique gifts, "Ogichidaa Scholar, Activist, and Future Leader".
Each role model brings something unique yet similar to the table ­ diversity, quiet strength, strong passions ­ most of all, hope for not just the future but the present.
The 11 other recipients of the award include the youngest recipient at 14-years old, Katelyn Matthew from Chase, B.C., who has won awards for her poetry and volunteers at school and in-community. Her traditional language Secwepmctsin brings her closer to her history, and her ballet studies has taught her discipline and patience. Inez Jasper, a registered nurse in Chilliwack, is a musician and athlete with Ojibway, StÛ:lM, and Métis background who has recorded a hip hop CD and is learning the Halq'emÈylem language. Jenna Kilabuk, a student from Nunavut, is 15-years old and the youngest member of her high school volleyball team ­ and also the captain, and coach for the grade 6 and 7 team.
Kyle Kuptana from the Northwest Territories, emphasizes the importance of respect, and staying connected to the land, while Ry Moran, an entrepreneur in Victoria, wrote and directed a video on recording and documenting Aboriginal languages, leading to the creation of LearnMichif.com, an on-line tool which helps Métis people around the world keep the Michif language alive.
Candace Polson is a 17-year-old Algonquin youth from Timiskaming First Nation, Quebec who dances fancy-shawl, hoop, and is a traditional singer and hand-drummer. Shaneen Robinson is a community events reporter for a Manitoban Native radio station with experience in both national and local Winnipeg news, and Heather Watts of Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, was the first Aboriginal co-Prime Minister at her school. At 18-years old, she is a member of the Lost Dancers Dance Troupe, learns and sings in Mohawk, and is pursuing a law degree.
Jennifer Williams, a 27-year old mother of two from Labrador, is founder/manager of the Nipik Inuit Drummers, an Inuit drum-dancing and throat-singing group.
Horton adds that his own mother, a single parent, set an example for him at a young age by working two jobs while going to school and raising her three children, of which he was the youngest.
"I started to become really conscious of the differences and the disparities at a young age," said Horton. "I started to wonder why my family [on the reserve] had to boil their drinking water and live in such poor conditions when visitation with my father [off-reserve] was fresh tap water, luxury homes, and jet skis."
A descendant of the Chief who helped negotiate Treaty 3 in 1873, Horton was taught by example and history "the importance of treaties and agreements, and the fight to hold on to what was ours."
"We are living in times of change ­ these are the days our Elders have talked about and we're going to see them," said Horton. "The present, the future, is not a gift that's guaranteed, it's an achievement we have to work towards - that's the essential challenge, to build upon that conviction so that it fully impacts seven generations down the line, just as the treaties say."
A supporter of the Zapatista movement since he was 16, Horton notes that NAFTA took away rights and liberties across North America with the stroke of a pen. "From Alaska to Argentina Indigenous people have to break free of the colonial borders ­ we need to build solidarity and be aware of it," said Horton. "Promises of prosperity just aren't coming true. It's a reality check not just for Indigenous people, but those of substance and integrity."
Horton also emphasizes the importance of having role models show the options, alternatives, and choices that exist while keeping teachings and cultures central and honouring the resiliency of the ancestors and survivors who have brought us to this point.
One of these role models for him is his Uncle Delbert, who he describes as "a man of very few words but a lot of wisdom and experience" who is strong both spiritually and culturally.
"He made me realize anything is possible - and the realm of possibility starts within each of us. We're at a crossroads ­ it's going to be this generation that's going to decide whether we have that cultural affinity or continuity as a people," he said, adding youth are the key. One action, one word can change the world ­ and it's our responsibility to spark the minds that are going to do it. Each and every one of us."