Aaniin, Waabgwaniins ndizhnikaaz, nbisiing ndoonjibaa, Waabzheshiinh ndoodem, Anishinaabe Kwe ndaaw, Laurentian University ndoo-kinomaagos.

Aaniin, hello, my name is Cailen, my Anishinaabe name is Little Flower, I am 21 years old, I am from Nipissing First Nation and I am from the Marten Clan. This fall I will be entering my 4th year of post-secondary studies at Laurentian University in the Indigenous Social Work program with a minor in Indigenous Studies. In April of 2023, I was elected as the Anishinabek Education System and the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body Youth Council Gimaa Kwe (Chief).

It is with great honour that I am able to sit on the Youth Council with 10 other brilliant Anishinaabe students from across the province to collaborate and include youth voices in decision-making related to our education. We look forward to gathering and making positive changes to decrease the barriers and challenges that Anishinaabe youth face in the mainstream education system.

Hi, my name is Jim, I’m in grade 10 and I am currently 16.

I hope I can make a change for other youth, and future generations to come and learn the Anishinabek ways of life, our traditions, and culture, within school systems.

Miigwech.

My name is Daynara Cyr. I live in Greater Sudbury and I am from Sheshegwaning, Zhiibaahaasing, and Beausoleil First Nation.

I’m a very active community member in the Sudbury Friendship Centre. I take as many classes as possible to learn about the culture and language. I love to paint in the Ojibwe pop art and floral styles. I am passionate about beading and learning our beautiful language.

I joined the council in hopes of being apart of positive change.

My name is Alivia Restoule and I’m from Dokis First Nation.

I am fifteen and attend Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. I enjoy dancing at pow-wows and playing hockey.

I’ve have been elected to represent Region 3  of the AES Youth Council, I look forward to the upcoming experiences!

Boozhoo, Wabanoo Kwe ndizhnikaz, Nishnaabe n’daaw, Nippising First Nation ndoonjibaa, Sturgeon Falls Ontario ndoondaa. St. Joseph Scollard-Hall ndoo-kinomaagos.

Hello, my name is Jade Goulais (Wabanoo Kwe), I am a two-spirit nishnaabe, I come from Nippising First Nation, I reside in Sturgeon Falls Ontario, and I just graduated from St. Joesph Scollard Hall with a special high skills major in, indigenous culture and arts. Next year I will be attending Canadore College in the Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention program.

I feel extremely honored and grateful to have this opportunity to be a part of this year’s AES Youth Council. As I am a Mental Health Advocate, my biggest aspiration is to improve Indigenous Youth Mental Health by healing through culture. Miigwech.

Carson Norton-Sutherland is a youth in Grade 12 from Chimnissing who is involved in Theatre at his high school in Midland Ontario.

He hopes to serve and make a change with his place on the AES Youth Council.