I am an honours student at Fort Frances High School, and will be graduating in June 2008. I hope to be named an Ontario scholar when I graduate. This fall, I will be enrolling in a concurrent education program at a recognized university, where I will earn both a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts, with a major in English and a minor in History. Later, I plan to apply for a full scholarship to Harvard and earn my Masters in Education. After my schooling is complete, I hope to work, travel, and start a family. My long term goal is to earn my Ph.D. in Education so one day I will be Dr. Copenace. In the future, I hope to be fluent enough in my language to become an Ojibwe language teacher. I also plan to return to my home, the Treaty Three territory, where I hope to make a difference in the lives of other First Nations youth.
I live a healthy lifestyle by attending Taekwondo twice a week, dancing jingle dress at powwows every chance I get, eating healthy, and abstaining from drugs and alcohol. I enjoy time with family and friends, participating in cultural ceremonies, and expanding my circle as I learn the teachings from our elders.
On National Aboriginal day I was honoured to be recognized as one of twelve National Aboriginal Role Models across Canada. It was a great privilege to travel to many different communities to meet and speak with other youth and future leaders. I am also fortunate and grateful for what I call my “powwow family”. This powwow family consists of many relations, and we travel around every summer to powwows throughout Canada and the United States. I also enjoy just staying at home and working in our business where I bead, prepare materials for regalia, and learning how to sew.
I am honoured to represent the Manito Ahbee Festival and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends on the powwow trail in the upcoming year. (More...) |
