Peers pick nominees for national program

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The National Native Role Model Program has a new way of selecting their representatives - by the nominee's peers.

"Role models are now nominated by youth in their communities," said Arlene Skye, program director of the National Native Role Model Program.

The program is designed to reach First Nations and Inuit youth across Canada.

It was initiated and is administered by the Kahnawake Shakoliia'take-hnhas Community Services Board in Quebec, and funded by Addictions and Community Funded Programs and Medical Services Branch, Health Canada.

The program's mission is to encourage youths to get involve din their communities. Native Role Models began in 1984 when Alwin Morris won gold and bronze medals in kayaking at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Morris became a source of inspiration for Aboriginal people and was requested by many communities to visit and speak to youths about setting and achieving goals. The interest in bringing role models to communities grew, and the Kahnawake Shakoliia'take-hnhas Community Services Board crated the role model program.

In 1992, program administrators decided the selection process needed to undergo some changes, based on community feedback.

Role models are now nominated by youth, rather than chosen by a board, and are chosen based on different criteria, Skye explained. The program currently puts less emphasis on material achievement, and more on practising traditions as a way of life. The current role models have more of a community base, she said.

"These are people who work in the community, are good providers for their families, have careers that are considered attainable to kids, and want to get involved in the community."

The nine role models began their term in December 1993, and will complete a two-year term.

Noah Tayara, is an Inuit from Salluit, Nunavik, and the role model for the region of Quebec. Tayara is also a member of the board of councillors for Salute, and director of the Ikusil School for the Kativik School Board.

He said he felt very lucky to have been chosen for the program.

"I was scared," he said. "Can I do this?" and "Can I help?" were some of the questions Tayara asked himself.

"I like when people ask me to visit," he said, pointing out the northern community of Salluit is fairly remote, and not many Inuit communities have the budget to pay for transportation.

"I like when students come to me for help. It doesn't always have to be good (issues) for them to come talk to me," he said.

Some of the problems they bring to him include family problems, but the youth of Nunavik also have their share of problems with drugs, alcohol, and suicide.

"When you are alone," he said, "you think about your problems. When you're alone there's nobody to talk to.

"Keeping active with sports is one way to connect to others and keep happily busy," Tayara said.

"Kids need role models, they need somebody to look up to," said Skye. "Each and every one of us can be a role model. The potential for a role model is in every community."