Shantae Guichon and Dallas George will serve as the 2017/18 School District 27 First Nations Role Models.
In a traditional ceremony held at Marie Sharpe Elementary School gymnasium Tuesday evening outgoing 2016/17 role models Loretta Jeff-Combs and Pacen Seta crowned their successors and in turn received beaded keeper crowns made by members of their communities.
Both Shantae and Dallas are in Grade 11 at Lake City Secondary School Williams Lake campus.
Shantae is a member of the Tsi Del Del, Alexis Creek Band.
Dallas is a member of Eskêtemc First Nation, Alkali Band.
All of the nominees were praised for being alcohol and drug free.
Both Shantae and Dallas were praised by their nominators for their ability to lead and include others, their dedication to their school work and their culture and for their volunteer efforts within their school and communities.
“I believe in looking at the bigger picture, to work with others, to help achieve more cultural understanding and learn from others, while I share my experiences,” Dallas said in his nomination letter.
Teacher Tim Hurley said Shantae’s strongest quality is her ability to include others.
She is an honour roll student who has taken part in the Gathering of Our Voices Conference in Prince George as well as attending the IndigenEYEZ camp in Kelowna. In her spare time she volunteers helping with the Elders living at Deni House.
Eight students from around the district were nominated as role model candidates by their teachers. Visitors were seated in a wide circle around the gymnasium.
Before the crowning there were prayers, drum songs and words of welcome by Secwepemc (Shuswap), Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin), and Dakelh (Carrier) representatives along with SD 27 representatives.
The Marie Sharpe Hoop Dancers presented a performance with their instructor Elder Francis Johnson Sr.
Mayor Walt Cobb was among the dignitaries offering words of encouragement to all of the candidates. Gary Stieman performed the traditional cleansing ceremonies and prayers for the incoming and outgoing role models.
Before the official crowning the outgoing role models, Loretta and Pacen, were introduced to the gathering as they walked in a circle around the hall with drummers singing them a traditional Thank You Song.
All eight 2017/18 role model candidates were then introduced as they walked around the hall with their escorts as Loretta and Pacen took turns reading their nomination biographies.
Jerome Beauchamp, director of instruction for education services explained that the nominations were handled a little differently this year. In addition to having nominations put forward by their teachers the candidates were required to participate in two workshops, one on writing and one on public speaking.
All of the nomination forms were then given to representatives from each community to mark on a point scale.
While only one boy and one girl are selected each year to become role model ambassadors, he said all of the candidates who made it through the nomination process are role models in their own right.
The following students completed the nomination process and were presented with jackets and a small present.
Destiny Johnny is a Grade 8 student at the Lake City Secondary Columneetza campus and member of the Anaham Band.
Theresa Inscho is a Grade 9 student at Lake City Secondary Columneetza campus and a member of the Toosey Band.
Aliza Paul is a Grade 11 student at the Lake City Secondary Williams Lake campus and a member of Eskêtemc First Nation.
Sharae Wycotte is a Grade 11 student at LCSS Williams Lake campus and a member of the Williams Lake Indian Band.
Jaci Joanne Amut Gilbert is a Grade 8 student at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary in 100 Mile House and a member of the Canim Lake Band.
Terrance Hubick-Archie is a Grade 10 student at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary and a member of the Canim Lake Band.
In addition to their jackets the First Nations Role Models each received a banner, a blanket, a $500 bursary and certificate, and bookmarks with their pictures on them.
Following the ceremonies there was a feast held for everyone in attendance and a celebratory cake cutting by the new role models.
