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Competition seeks most admirable young Inuit

Jordin Tootoo picked to launch "Lead Your Way" program

JANE GEORGE

The National Aboriginal Health Organization wants to hear about Inuit youth from 13 to 30 who are making a positive difference in their communities.

Until May 21, NAHO is accepting nominations for the "Lead Your Way!" program that will select 12 youth who are considered role models by their peers and community members.

"It's a hands-on community-based way to try and encourage youth in our communities," Bernice Downey, NAHO's executive director, said in an interview from Ottawa.

The program is a new and improved version of the former native role model program.

"It is different. It's more national and it's more inclusive of Inuit, Métis and First Nations. It's also more interactive in terms of connecting with communities and it has significantly more youth involvement," Downey said.

Northern hockey star Jordin Tootoo, the spokesperson for "Lead Your Way!," was to launch the program on Thursday in Ottawa at an event featuring the singing and drumming group, Siqiniup Qilauta (The Sun's Drum).

NAHO wanted Tootoo as a spokesperson for the "Lead Your Way!" program because he is likely to inspire youth to think about the qualities they'd expect to see in a role model.

"I have a 21-year old. What she hears from her peers, she listens to," Downey said.

Nomination forms are available online at www.naho.ca/rolemodel.

"We have established certain criteria," Downey said. "We're looking for potential role models who could be volunteers in their community, excellent students, involved in learning or sharing traditional teaching or keeping their language alive, athletes, performers, or, just in general, a healthy person."

Downey said there's also a place on the nomination form to mention whether the nominee has overcome some challenge in his or her life. All nominations need three supporters.

Then, a selection committee, comprised of representatives from national aboriginal organizations and youth councils, will sift through the nominations and suggest a list of potential role models.

The choices will not necessarily be made according to region.

"It is hard to predict what areas of the country we'll get responses from, but our overall goal is to make it as equitable as possible to represent First Nations, Inuit and Métis," Downey said. "Because Jordin Tootoo is being used [as a spokesperson and in public service announcements], there is quite an excitement in the North, so we probably will see quite a number of nominations from the North."

Downey said, as a result of Tootoo's public service announcements, Kugluktuk's community radio station and youth centre are encouraging youth to nominate role models. The school also collected questions from students, with Tootoo being asked to pick the best one at the "Lead Your Way!" launch.

The announcement of the role models is expected on June 21, National Aboriginal Day.

Posters and trading cards, which NAHO plans to make available to communities, will feature each of the 12 role models. As well, the role models travel to attend celebrations, school functions, workshops and conferences.

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