Students from across the Peace Region have been recognized for the role that they are playing as aboriginal youth role models.
16 students received awards ranging from athletic and academic achievement to community service and cultural leadership.
15 year old Coltan Hodack received the award for Junior Academic Excellence in recognition of his outstanding marks particularly in math and robotics.
The Senior Health and Wellness award went to Ashley Rosenberger, a Cree-Metis young woman who earned a nursing degree while raising two young children before going on to work in the surgical unit at the QEII Hospital.
11 year old Charlee Soto has been dancing on the pow wow trail for the past 4 summers and has been singing, dancing, and drumming since before he could talk. He received the award for junior culture and heritage leadership.
The Senior award for Arts, Music, and Creativity was given to musician and songwriter Tyler Lizotte, who keeps busy travelling the province to showcase his love of music, but has made time to mentor young aspiring musicians as well.
Other awards were handed out to Heather Goodswimmer- Ferguson for Junior Athletic Achievement and Nevada Rain for Senior Athletic Achievement.
Tyrone Chowace received the Junior award for Academic Achievement while the Senior award went to Leroy Catholique.
The Senior Academic Excellence award went to Jennifer Houlihan, and the Senior Culture and Heritage award went to Morris Crow Jr.
Seth Goodswimmer-Ferguson received the Junior Health and Wellness award.
Junior and Senior Career and Employment awards were given to Cale Lindstrom and James Cardinal respectively.
Vanessa Cardinal was given the Junior Arts, Music and Creativity award.
Spencer Diederich and Garred Taneton both received Community Service awards.
This year’s winner of the Hayley Gardner Outstanding Youth Award was Tutchone Dunfield and Judy Gouchey is this year’s recipient of the Melodie Wilton In Friendship, Education & Service Award.
The awards were handed out during the 16th Annual Spirit Seekers Conference at the GPRC this past weekend.