RMYC | Regional Multicultural Youth Council

RMYC YOUNG LEADERS AND ROLE MODEL HONOUR ROLL

The Regional Multicultural Youth Council (RMYC) uses a youth-to-youth approach and positive peer influence to create role models. Our activities provide valuable learning opportunities for officers, members and volunteers from all backgrounds. Since being formed in 1985 as a follow-up to the International Youth Year, many youths from different races and cultures have taken up the challenge and become leaders and achievers. Some have been acknowledged locally, regionally, provincially and nationally. We are proud of their accomplishments and the RMYC has been what it is today because of those who have put in the time to make things happen. Bravo to the good work of many youths. This shows that being involved with the Council can pay off!

Below is a list of individuals who have been involved in programs and services. This is a beginning, and we will be adding names of those who want to share their stories with us. If you want your involvement with the RMYC to be included as part of our success story, or you want the information up-dated, please e-mail your contributions and achievements to: manwoyc@tbaytel.net

PAST PRESIDENTS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND OTHER RESOURCE PEOPLE:

* RMYC founding President, Melanie Goodchild, (1986-89) received the YTV Award in 1989, (the first Native youth to do so) for her efforts to promote multiculturalism and improve race relations. As the president of the Youth Council, she produced a Native Youth Resource Manual which helped the Council to forge a strong alliance with the First Nations. This created the framework for our Youth Leadership Development Training and Summer Camp Programs for Aboriginal children and youth. She also helped to initiate the Orientation Program to help Aboriginal youth adjust to urban life. She was one of the first Aboriginal students at St. Ignatious high School to be involved in team sports, and upon graduation served as Education Counsellor for Big Grassy First Nation students at Rainy River High School. Melanie went on to study media production in Quebec. She was featured in a video: "Who We Are, A Celebration of Native Youth", and was an assistant trainee director in the Hollywood production of Grey Owl starring Pierce Brosnan. She owns her own video production company, Raindancer, and is completing a Masters Degree in Sociology at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. In 2002, she produced a series of brochures and a video to promote the RMYC. She also helped the youth Council to launch the RMYC Race Relations Image Awards to recognize and honour people working tirelessly to improve race relations and combat racial discrimination. After founding the Nishnawbe Decade for Youth & Development Office, and co-ordinating the NAN Decade for Youth Council, Melanie went on to work as an educator with Oshki-.Pimache-O-Win, a computer training career-oriented educational institution in Thunder Bay. She is now the Health Policy Analyst for Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

* Mary-Jean Cormier, the second RMYC President (1989-91)received the Canada 125 Award from the City of Thunder Bay Award in 1992 for her commitment to the well-being of youths in the region. She developed the RMYC's 3-year pilot project "Growing Up In A Multicultural Society" that attracted over $500,000.00 in government grants, and led to the establishment of the Multicultural Youth Centre in Victoriaville Mall. She became the Youth Council's first Programs Co-ordinator and was responsible for developing and implementing the youth-to-youth approach that is our model today. In 1998, she headed a Youth Service Canada project that resulted in the expansion of the Youth Centre to include the Annex. MJ (as we call her), is the longest continuous-serving member of the RMYC-working with us during the summer, and attending school in the fall and winter. One summer, She was so devoted to the RMYC that one summer, she turned down a well-paying job with the local media to work for minimum wage with the Youth Council. MJ was also the first youth from the region to be appointed to the Ontario Trillium Foundation Board, and represented the Council on various advisory boards and committees. Mary Jean completed her internship with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and is now employed in the local CBC studio in Thunder Bay..

Melanie and Mary-Jean, were the first youth representatives to sit on the Ontario Multicultural Association/Multiculturalle de l'Ontario (OMAMO) Board, after requesting youth representation for input in the decision-making process. In 1991, OMAMO paved the way for our on-going campaign for a voice on advisory boards and committees that impact our well-being.

Melanie Goodchild, Mary-Jean Cormier, and Bobby Narcisse were the first recipients of the Ministry of Citizenship's Volunteer Service Awards when they were first introduced in 1993. The RMYC had lobbied the Ministry for a Youth Awards to recognize youth volunteers for their contribution in civic participation - as part of our recommendations to follow-up on the Stephen Lewis Report precipitated by the Totonto Riots (1992). Since then, hundreds of RMYC members have been regular recipients of the Awards, including all thirteen members of the 1998-99 executive. Many youths in Northwestern Ontario who have been involved in our activities have been awarded MANWO/RMYC Volunteer Awards for their work.

* Lina Mayer, President (1991-3) and liaison for Francophone youth) was appointed to the Premier's Select Committee on Ontario in Confederation in 1991. Lina was responsible for building the Council's strong alliance with Francophone youth, particularly with Ecole Secondaire Chateau Jeunesse (then in Geraldton and now in Longlac). She played a key role in the RMYC's campaign for the City of Thunder Bay to rescind it "English Only Resolution", and represented the Council on the founding committee of the Ontario Young People's Alliance in 1998. At present, Lina is working on youth employment strategies with Human Resources Development Canada in Kenora.

* Naana Jumah, President 1994-6, was selected by the Co-operators to attend the Youth Unity Conference in Ottawa in 1996. In 1993, she received the Canadian Council for Multicultural and Intercultural Education youth volunteer award in Vancouver for her community involvement. Naana made several presentations on behalf of the Council -- to Premier Bob Rae, the Royal Commission on Education and Learning and local School Boards including the Anti-racism and Ethnocultural Policy Development Committees. In 2001, she was awarded a $100,000.00 Rhodes Scholarship to continue with the studies in engineering at Oxford University. The RMYC is proud to have provided Naana with a letter of reference for the award. After studying at Oxford University in England, she transferred to Havard in the USA to complete her degree in medicine.

* Amy Lakhani, President (1997-1998) literally grew up with the RMYC. She performed at the launching of the Council as a 5-year-old, and was part of our Multicultural Variety Show from then on. She appeared in our promotional video, and during her term as President, the RMYC hosted Thunderama, a youth festival and band contest co-sponsored by the Thunder Bay Police to improve police/youth relations. Amy is studying International Business at Simon Fraser University, British Columbia. In 1999, she was awarded a medal by the Ministry of citizenship, Culture and Recreation for her volunteer services with the RMYC. She is now working with a financial company in Toronto.

* Pauline Fogarty, President (1999-2000), initiated the Revolution Girls Style Summer Camps in 1999, and became the first member of the RMYC executive to be hired by the Ministry of Citizenship Culture and Recreation to run program and realize her dream. She received the Ontario 2000 Medal for Young Volunteers for her work with the RMYC, and the Canada Day Youth Award, for her safer communities campaign that included advocating for curfews to protect children at night, and uniforms to promote safety. She also received Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh's medals for volunteering her services with the Youth Council. Pauline's story of her involvement with the RMYC is published in the 2000 Gage Educational Publication Company's Canadian By Conviction. In 2001 she went on a Rotary student exchange program to Japan. She is at present attending Lakehead University.

* Maria Jose Albizurez, V.P. Cultural and Current Affairs (1993-96), was the first new immigrant youth to become Student Council President at St. Patrick High School. Maria, with Julia and Miriam Figueroa, Cecilia and Milagros Huezo formed a Spanish dance group and drama team that toured the region with our Variety Show. In 1999, Maria received a bravery award for saving a life after performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Maria completed her studies at Lakehead University, and is employed by Human Resources Development Canada in Thunder Bay.

* Vijay Anand, was the youth representative for Ignace on the RMYC board (1995-1998). With his sister, Veneta, they attended our workshops and conferences, and helped us to get a youth group started in the community. In 1998, Vijay was selected to be on the Team Canada Youth Exchange and travelled to South East Asia. He did his under-graduate studies at Queen's University in Kingston, and is now completing his studies as a Medical Doctor in Winnipeg. Veneta competed her studies in Pharmacy in Manitoba, and now operates three Shoppers Drugmart stores in St. Catherines.

* Joel Babin participated in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) training we organized in 1998 for the Youth Interim Council and Youth Adjustment Committee Members in Thunder Bay. The session was designed to provide leadership and organizational skills for young leaders to work with the youth in NAN communities. Joel just completed a contract as a Youth Program Officer with NAN in Thunder Bay.

* Michael Belmore, V.P. Public Relations (1997-8) joined the RMYC Youth Service Canada team in 1998 and worked on the renovations to the 4,000 square feet of space that created the Youth Centre Annex. After the project, he went on a Canada World Youth exchange to Poland. Upon his return, he became the Aboriginal Programs Officer, where he was in charge of marketing the Youth Centre's Leadership Development Training Program and networking with various First Nations. He up-dated our website and created computer graphics for our brochures. Michael is now working on the Aboriginal Cultural Program at Fort William Historical Park.

* Terra Campbell, Vice President Co-ordination (1991-4), (together with Denise Campbell from Oshawa) were the first two recipients of the Lincoln Alexander Award when they were introduced in 1993. The award recognizes youths who have done exemplary work to combat racism. Terra's commitment to bringing understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the region earned her this recognition. She was also the founding member of PEACE (People Encouraging And Creating Equality)-a youth group in Kenora affiliated with the RMYC. In 1999, she joined the Multicultural Association of Kenora and District as a board member.

* Glenda Diaz, RMYC President, 1996-7. She left El Salvador due to the civil war and came to Canada as a refugee with her older sister and mother. She joined the RMYC as a performer, and her talents led to her being featured in the RMYC Role Model Program video. She was able to bring students from Latin America to the Youth Centre, and helped us to co-ordinate special programs for immigrant children and youth. Upon graduating from St. Patrick High School, she enrolled at George Brown College as a Child and Youth Worker. She has been involved with the St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club, and as an after school counsellor has been involved with the St. Alban's Young Women on Track (SAYWOT). Her new responsibilities include organizing various activities such as drama, fitness, drug awareness, and a campaign on violence prevention.

* Lorna Evans, Press Officer (1993-96) sat as a youth representative on the Advisory Board of the local television and radio station. She was also involved in the launching of our Used Clothes Fundraising Project, and worked tirelessly to sort clothes, toys and books to be sent to northern communities. The project has since expanded, and we have a full-time staff currently working with youths interested to fundraise for their own activities. Lorna is an accomplished musician and tap dancer, and travelled with our road show performing at fairs and festivals. She taught French with Lakehead Public Schools until she moved to Ottawa in 2004 to join her husband.

* Miriam Figueroa, the first Multicultural Youth Centre Co-ordinator (1993-5) had also represented the Thunder Bay Multicultural Youth Association on the RMYC boad. In 1999, she became the second RMYC officer to receive the Lincoln Alexander Award for her work to improve race relations in the region. She was also an advocate on the plight of new immigrants and refugees. Her work was again recognized by the Canadian Council for Multicultural and Intercultural Education, and she received an award for young volunteers at a conference in Vancouver. In 1997, Miriam went on an "Up With People" world tour, and did so well that she spent another year working for the program in the USA. She is studying business at Lakehead University and working part time with the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association. She went on an internship training to South America, and when she returned, was employed as staff with an International School in Toronto. In 2003 she transferred to Vancouver.

* Roderick Fiddler and Cindie (Meekis) Fiddler, are resource people who helped to shape the RMYC Orientation Program (1993-7). Both were team leaders and served as facilitators each fall when we hosted the program. They were also with the first group that participated in the Youth Leadership Development Training when we launched it in the summer of 1993. Roderick is a gifted artist and provided the art work featured in our handbooks including the cover of the RMYC Activity Resource Manual. He also donated a large painting displayed in the front office if the Youth Centre. Roderick and Cindie (now married) are working in Sandy Lake First Nation. Roderick is involved in diabetes prevention, and has a weekly show promoting healthy eating and the benefits of physical activity, while Cindie is a teacher in the community. Sandy Lake First Nation is a leader in the diabetes awareness campaign.

* Pauline Forgarty, RMYC President (1998-2000) was one of the youngest and dynamic new group of officers to take the Youth Council into the new Millennium. Pauline was instrumental in starting the Revolution Girl-Style (RGS) program, and the girl-power summer camps. She produced a manual for to organize groups for girls and developed resource materials to run the program. She also started the Universal Arts Nights to feature youth talent in the new venue we had at the Youth centre for concerts and other large social events. This attracted a cross-section of youths to the Centre and made our programs more multicultural. Her involvement with the Orientation Program to welcome Aboriginal students from remote northern reserves intensified the Council's race relations and safer communities campaigns. She produced a document on school uniforms used by the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board as a handout to all parents before uniforms were introduced in 2000. Pauline participated in the RMYC operations review conducted by the Laidlaw Foundation in 2000 that led to the Youth Council being identified as a model in youth governance. For her work with the RMYC, Pauline received the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers and the Canada Youth Award in 2000. She was also featured in an article "Risktakers and Changemakers" printed in a textbook: Canadian by Conviction Asserting our Citizenship. published by Gage Educational Publishing Company in 2000. After a year as an exchange student in Japan, Pauline came back to Thunder Bay to attending Lakehead University. She later transferred her courses to Confederation College where she is taking Leisure and Recreation. She continues to be involved in Revolution Girl Style/Girl Power Program, and is currently involved with TIG (Taking It Globally ) and HEYou, a youth-led mental health initiative at the Youth Centre.

* Kelly Gascoigne, Press Officer (1993-1997) and Co-ordinator of our Environmental Projects lead a research team that worked on garbage recycling in Thunder Bay. In 1995, she presented a report to Thunder Bay City Council which helped to get the recycling depots established in the City. A year letter, she worked on another project that produced an Environmental Almanac for Northwestern Ontario. Kelly is also a talented speaker and won several debating contests. She was selected to go to the United Nation Head Quarters in New York for a public speaking contest. She completed her midwifery at McMaster University, and is now working in southern Ontario.

* Aaron Goldstein, Press Officer (1992-97) led the RMYC team that responded to the Stephen Lewis Report in 1992, and recommended that youth be represented on advisory boards and committees that have an impact on their well-being. We were delighted when Manisha Bharti (a 17 year old student from Cornwall) was appointed to the Royal Commission on Learning a year later. In 1993, Aaron was made a formal presentation in the Ontario Legislature. He appeared before the Standing Committee on the Administration of Justice (Bill 79 -- An Act to Provide for Employment Equity for Aboriginal People, People with Disabilities, Members of Racial Minorities and Women". He also made other appearances on our behalf to the Ministry of Labour on Minimum Wage, advocated for youth representation on the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board (OTAB), and the establishment of the Ontario Post Secondary Education Trust (OPSET)--an investment plan to save money and enable more students to afford post-secondary education. On graduating from University in Ottawa, Aaron worked as a research assistant with NDP MPs on Parliament Hill. He helped us to identify potential funding sources for our projects, kept us well informed on developments pertaining to children and youth, and helped to draft position papers on the Young Offenders Act, and Youth Justice. Aaron is now in Boston working on neighbourhood improvement projects. He has also continued to write news articles as a free-lance correspondent.

* George Ishabid, Vice President (1992-4) became the Summer Camp Program Co-ordinator in 1994. In this capacity, he was responsible for organizing the youth leadership, recreational, and lifeskills development programs specifically targeting Aboriginal youth. He developed the partnerships the Youth Council now enjoys with all three First Nations political groups in the region: Grand Council Treaty #3, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Treaty #9, and Robinson Superior 1850 Treaty, as well as the various band councils that sent their youths for training, or invite us to run summer camps in their communities. After moving to Timmins to develop youth initiatives in recreation for two years, George is back at the Youth Centre as the Aboriginal Youth Programs Co-ordinator. He does out-reach to First Nations communities and runs the youth leadership training sessions and after-school programs at the Youth Centre.

* Paul Johnup and Henry Kooses were with the group of eleven youth workers who attended a special RMYC Leadership and Organizational Development Training Program sponsored by Nishnawbe-Aski Nation in 1997. This was our first contract to train Band Council staff on youth group development, recreation and fundraising. We are proud to report that Paul went on to become Chief of Weagamow Lake First Nation, and Henry is Band Councillor of Kashechewan First Nation. They are both still involved in promoting wellness among youth in their respective communities.

* Tanya LaForme, participated in our Youth Leadership Training Program, and has been involved in organizing youth activities at the community level. She worked as a Youth Co-ordinator with the NeChee Friendship Centre in Kenora.- an initiative that complements the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre to provide ideal support and initiatives for youth in the community for four years. In April, 2004, she joined the Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association, also in Kenora, as a Community Wellness Worker.

* Byron Leclair, a pioneer Aboriginal youth facilitator (1987-89) not shy to lead workshops at RMYC conferences and speak out on youth issues affecting Native students moving to the city. He worked with the Youth Council executive to mobilize Aboriginal youths to attend our activities at a time only a few felt comfortable enough to come out and say something in public. He played a key role in developing a grassroots base of support for the Council. Byron is now the Financial Administrator for Pic River First Nation. He is credited by his Chief, Roy Michano for contributing to the sound financial management and economic progress the community is enjoying.

* Andrea Mandamin (Metansinine), was one of the early youth members of the RMYC when we got started. With friends Barbra-Ann Wynn (Tikanagan Family Services Team Supervisor in Sioux Lookout and now with Dilico Ojibway Child and family Services in Thunder Bay, and Tracy Lachinnette (Willoughby), (who is now employed as Whitesand First Nation Students' Counsellor in Thunder Bay) participated in our conferences and workshops. Andrea holds the record of having the most student placements at the Youth Centre in:1992, 1994, 1997, and 1999, when she was a graduate student in Recreation and Leisure Services at Confederation College. She was formally hired as a Fundraising and Community Development Officer intern in 2000. She co-ordinated our Fundraising and Business Venture Projects to help youth in remote communities fundraise for their own activities. Upon completing her training, she was hired by her band in Beardmore to develop programs for children and youth. She has since moved back to Thunder Bay where she continues to be involved in social services for the Aboriginal community.

* Tamara McDonald, RMYC President (2002-2003), joined the RMYC as a volunteer at our fundraising bingos and at hockey tournaments the Youth Centre was invited to provide security. From 2000 to 2002, she was the Vice President of the Youth Council and got involved in race relations campaign. She led the RMYC youth teams that visited schools to make presentations to commemorate March 21 - the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Her commitment to eliminating racial discrimination led to the launching of the RMYC Race Relations Image Awards when she became RMYC President in 2002. This earned her the Lincoln M. Alexander Award in 2002, making her the first Aboriginal young woman and the third RMYC officer to win the Award. Her effort to improve race relations were recognized when the Council was awarded the J. S. Woodsworth Award for Social Justice in 2002, the Lakehead Social Planning Council for Equality and Social Justice, and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Award of Distinction in 2003. Her other initiatives included expanding the Orientation Program to welcome and help Aboriginal students from remote northern communities adjust to living and studying in urban centres. This paved the way for the RMYC to receive the 2000 Royal Commonwealth Youth Service Award. Tamara was also instrumental in launching the Aboriginal Girl's Support Groups to get more Native young women to participate in the Revolution Girl Style program. She began the project to develop a resource manual the Council now uses to help Aboriginal young women form their own groups for self-help and support. After attending Trent University in Peterborough, Tamara moved to Edmonton, where she intends to pursue a career in culinary services.

* Heather McMullen, RMYC President 2000-2001, was the second RMYC President to win the 2000 Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers. Following the footsteps of Pauline Forgarty, Heather expanded on the Revolution Girls Style Program to give it a regional focus -- "REV on the Road" to reach out to outlying communities. She launched the Youth Council's Safer Communities Campaign that included violence prevention initiatives, promoted peer mediation, and discussed curfews. She also presided over the publication of: Taking Action: "The Non Whiners Guide to Creating Community Change - Based on the Experiences of rural and Northern Youth", by the RMYC in partnership with the Kenora Youth Drop-In centre, the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, and the United Friendship Centre of Fort Frances, as the Northwestern Ontario Youth Action Partnership (NOYAP). This is a great resource to deal with boredom, and the challenges faced by rural youth in this vast region of small isolated communities. Heather was also featured in a Shaw Cable as a co-host to "Scream Out", a Talk show for teens to be heard covering issues ranging from boredom to racism, and substance abuse. After her term as President, Heather went on an exchange trip Canada World Youth exchange trip to India. Upon her return, she joined the team that developed the Aboriginal Girl-Style manual a very popular resource to get Native girls involved in Revolution Girl-Style. After attending university in Ottawa, Heather is now working with a woman's health agency in the city.

* Bobby Narcisse, Vice President (1989-91) and then Out-Reach and Research Officer, organized the first RMYC Summer Camps with MJ, and travelled to First Nations communities to work with children and youth. He was also a trainer with the Leadership Development Training Program. At the time, he was also involved with the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre's Native Youth Support Program. In 1996, Bobby attended a Teen Court conference in Oregon to enhance our campaign on this diversionary program he had been advocating for since 1993. In 1997, Bobby became the first Aboriginal youth in the region to participate in the Canada World Youth Exchange which took him to Alberta and Venezuela. He was later sponsored by the Assembly of First Nations to go on another exchange to New Zealand. He has represented the RMYC on various advisory boards, sat on policy development committees, and made presentations on our behalf. Like MJ, Bobby has worked with the Youth Council during the summer, while attending University, and in 1998, they supervised the Youth Service Canada project to add the Annex. After serving as a Student Counsellor at Sir Winston Churchill High School for a year, he joined the staff at the new Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay as Director of Recreation. He continues to be the local Canada World Youth contact, and still volunteers at the Youth Centre as a facilitator, chaperon, trainer, fundraiser and master of ceremonies. Bobby is now working in human resources in Calgary, Alberta.

* Long Nguyen, V.P. Finance (1993-96) joined the Council with his sister, Loan, who had taken up a placement with the Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario (MANWO). He became the Youth Centre's bookkeeper and Financial Manager after graduating from Confederation College with a diploma in Accounting and Financial Management in 1996. The same year, he initiated a fundraising program and implemented fiscal policies that eliminated the RMYC's financial deficit of over $50,000.00 brought about when the new provincial government did not honour past financial commitments. Long developed a business plan that resulted in the current balanced operating budged for the Youth Centre. We now have a Youth Centre Residence for youths to stay during training. He is the caretaker of the residence and is an accomplished chef who prepares the meals for the guests. Together with his sister, who was was then Administrative Assistant for MANWO, they initiated the business ventures projects such as the Craft Store and Food Concession/Hot-Dog Stand to tray and make the Youth Centre more self-reliant. This paved the way for other enterprises such as -- taking over and managing the Mandarin Chinese Restaurant (next to Victoriaville Mall) in 2001. In 2003, he initiated another business project to purchase a four-storey 40 unit apartment building close to the Youth Centre on May and Cumming Streets. These projects offer MANWO financial security to retain two senior staff who the association could not afford to keep with no stable source of operational funding. Now, the wages for the MANWO executive director and bookkeeper are covered by the business ventures. This allows them to continue volunteering at the Youth Centre. In short the Youth Centre is operating today because of Long's ingenuity and prudent fiscal management.

* Wendy Partnoy, V.P. Communications (1990-92), V.P. Public Relations (1993-4) later served as Race Relations Working Group Chair and co-ordinated the RMYC team that helped the Public and Catholic School Boards to develop their Anti-Racism and Ethno-Cultural Equity Policies. She studied Theatre in Ottawa, and in 1997, went on an "Up-With People" tour. She came back in 1998 to co-ordinate a research project on race relations in Northwestern Ontario schools, and later joined the Youth Service Canada team that worked on the Youth Centre Annex. In 1999, Wendy became the first member of the RMYC executive to win the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. She inspired the Council to become involved in the program for the convenience of other officers volunteering with the RMYC. After pursuing studies in Performing Arts in Ottawa, Wendy worked in Alberta and British Columbia. She travelled to Japan where she worked for three years as an English teacher. She returned to Thunder Bay in 2002, and was hired by YES Employment. She is now back again in Japan teaching English.

* Gloria Pellerin, a youth forum delegate from Sioux Lookout attend RMYC events before joining the RMYC Youth Service Canada partnership project in 1996. She participated in the Nishnawbe-Aski Residential School Conference the same year as a youth representative, and regularly volunteers at youth dances and socials as a chaperon. She trained as a clown and is really good at entertaining audiences at special events. Gloria likes theatre, and was involved with an Aboriginal student drama group at Lakehead University. While completing her studies at the University, she worked as an intern with CBC radio in Thunder Bay. She is currently the Co-ordinator of the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre's Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre initiative, and has been a great resource for our Aboriginal Girls' Support Groups. She has been been to Mexico where she promoted Aboriginal culture, and in 2008, she travelled to Finland to further her education..

* Paula Scott, V.P. Programming (1990-92) served on the RMYC executive. Her talent as an eloquent communicator were evident during her term of office with the Youth Council. She was subsequently hired by before being hired by Thunder Bay Television, and was the first racialized minority to be a news announcer at the station. She has since moved on to Winnipeg to work for Global Television.

* Adriana & Kirsten Schindelhauer, worked with their mother, Jan Schindelhauer (then a teacher at Hillcrest High School, and now a regular volunteer and tutor at the Youth Centre) to design the Orientation Program the RMYC uses to welcome new students to a community. Both girls trained RMYC members and student team leaders who ran the program (1990 - 1997). Before they left Thunder Bay to pursue their studies and careers in the United States, they developed the Orientation Resource Manual the Youth Council uses for the program. Being very supportive of our work, the family later came up with a deal that enabled the Multiculturtal Association of Northwestern Ontario (MANWO) to get the house at 330 Wiltshire Crescent for the Youth Council. Both girls are competing their post graduate work in the United States of America.

* Loretta Sheshequin, V.P. Finance (1989-91) became the resource development officer after leaving the executive. She produced the pictures for our handbooks and manuals including the ABC's of Multiculturalism, and the Youth Fundraising and Business Ventures Manual. Loretta was featured with Past President, Melanie Godchild in the video: "Who We Are, A Celebration of Aboriginal Youth". Following her passion in drawing, she went on the take art at Lakehead University. Her work received commendation, and some of her paintings were presented to the honorary graduate during the 2000 convocation. She also created and designed the RMYC Race Relations Image Awards Certificates. After working for a local lawyer in Thunder Bay, Dave Shannon, (who was the first person to travel across Canada in a motorized wheelchair to raise awareness on disabilities), she joined the Lakehead University staff. She later transferred to the newly established School of Medicine, before moving to Oshki-Pimache-O-Win, a computer training career-oriented educational institution in Thunder Bay.

* Michael Sklazeski, RMYC President (2003 - ) served his position with the Council while a Student Trustee with Lakehead Public Skills. Michael is the first male to head the RMYC and has continued to build on social justice, race relations and violence prevention initiatives. He has represented the Youth Council on various committees and meetings to give voice to marginalized youth. He met with the Hon. Marie Bountrogianni, Minister of Children and Youth Services, in Toronto, on June 24, 2004 to discuss the topic titled � "From Family to the System: Youth Dealing with Violence", hosted by the Office of Child and Family Services Advocacy and Voices for Children. For his dedication to enhancing the well-being of children and youth, Michael was warded the He was awarded the 2004 Canada Day Youth Award.

* Sharon Smith, participated in the special Leadership and Organizational Development Training for youth workers sponsored by NAN in 1998. She has worked for Matawa First Nations. She is now working with YES Employment Services as a career counsellor.

* Sara Swerdlyk, Vice President of the RMYC (2001-2002). Sara is a gifted student who was featured in the RMYC promotional video prodiced by Melanie Goodchild in 2002. She attended training sessions inn Ottawa, and represented the Council to receive the 2002 J.S. Woodsworth Award in Toronto. As President of St. Patrick High School in Thunder Bay, Sara embarked on a fundraising campaign at her school and raised over $500.000 for the Youth Centre. She is a talented speaker, and makes impressive presentations. She was part of the team that visited schools to promote March 21 --- the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and co-ordinated the first "REV-on-the Road" to reach out to Aboriginal young women in remote communities. Sara is currently attending University in Montreal.

* Jennifer Williams (Manitowabi), an Orientation Program team leader and facilitator (1994-96). She worked with the RMYC to host receptions for Aboriginal students coming to study in the City. Jennifer was was also involved with the Hillcrest Native Friendship Circle, Thunder Bay Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, and Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Youth Society. She became the first Aboriginal student involved with the RMYC to be awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award. This was presented by the Lieutenant Governor Hilary Weston on Canada Day 2000 in Thunder Bay, and featured in Wawatay News. While attending Confederation College, she organized cultural activities on campus, and served as a board member on the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre. She has also been involved in fundraising for recreational activities for youth, has organized the New-Year Annual Pow Wow. Married to Sam Manitowabi, and with two children, Jennifer moved to Lac Seul First Nation near Sioux Lookout where she is now employed as a teacher.

* Delia Whitecrow and Zelina Whitecrow, were RMYC contacts Seine River First Nation (1992 - 1996). Both helped us to organize summer camps in the community, and recruited delegates for our Bi-Annual Regional Youth Conferences. They also participated in our cultural variety shows and provided the models for our fashion shows during the Culturama (spring festival) in Fort Frances. Delia is now employed at Siene River First Nation after working at the United Native Friendship Centre's Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre in Fort Frances.

* Harvey Yesno Jr., V.P. Programming (1997-99) received orientation and joined the Training Team that runs the Youth Leadership Development Program. He was featured on the CBC program Street Sense, promoting our initiatives with First Nations youths. Harvey has represented the RMYC at regional, provincial and national forums. He attended the Students Commission's "Sharing Resources 2000" forum in St. John's Newfoundland and also represented us and the Banff conference. Harvey is a regular volunteer at the Youth Centre, where he helps out with computer training. He is currently studying computers at Confederation College.