Youth to lead the way

The National Aboriginal Health Organization “Lead Your Way!” role model program celebrates the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth aged 13 to 30. According to a NAHO news release, the program recognizes role models for “their innovation, achievement, and leadership.”

This year’s role models include four Inuit from Nunavut and Nunavik. Throughout the year, these four will be available to visit communities to share their stories with other youth:

Annie Novalinga

At 17, Annie Novalinga is an accomplished singer and performer. Growing up in Umiujaq, a small community on Nunavik’s Hudson Bay coast, Annie learned throat singing, and has performed at Umiujaq’s Blueberry Jam Music Festival.

In 2003, Annie produced a video about her family, which won first place for video production in the E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition.

Annie also has a yellow belt in Tae-Kwon-do, plays volleyball and basketball, and is a member of the Junior Rangers. A Grade 12 student, she is president of her school’s student council.

Annie also finds time to sew traditional Inuit clothing and go out on the land with her family.

Ashley Paniyuk-Dean

Ashley Paniyuk-Dean, 22, is currently enrolled in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program at Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit, where she also works part-time as a hairstylist.

In 2000, Ashley participated in the “Racism-Stop It” youth conference in Germany; then, she received the Prince of Wales scholarship for “outstanding contribution” to her community, and completed the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa.

In 2004, Ashley, who is originally from Rankin Inlet, was crowned Miss Nunavut and became the first Inuk to compete in the Miss World Canada pageant. There, Ashley was named Miss Heart and Soul.

Kipanik Eegeesiak

Kipanik Eegeesiak, 23, is an RCMP officer posted at the Pond Inlet RCMP detachment. After graduating from high school in Iqaluit, Kipanik was accepted into the RCMP training academy in Regina, Saskatchewan.

In 2003, Kipanik and other volunteers set up a youth soccer program in Arctic Bay. He now coaches a boys’ soccer team in Pond Inlet and is a civilian instructor in the Royal Army Cadet Corps. Kipanik is also interested in helping youth, and has used an anti-bullying program to teach them about how to deal with anger and bullying.

Michael Putulik

Michael Putulik, 19, of Repulse Bay, is an avid badminton player and represented Nunavut in the Arctic Winter Games in Greenland, where he won bronze medals in his favourite sport.

Michael also plays guitar, bass, ukulele, keyboard and violin. He maintains a 90 per cent attendance average in school, where he is also involved in the army cadets and volunteer activities.

At age 7, Michael shot his first caribou.

Michael’s future ambition is to own and manage a sports store.