19th First Nations Education Conference

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19th First Nations Education Conference Montreal,
Quebec April 28, 2009
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• The National Aboriginal Role Model Program
  (NARMP) celebrates the accomplishments of First
  Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth.
• Each year, NARMP profiles 12 outstanding
  Aboriginal youth between the ages of 13 to 30
  years old, who are making a difference in their
  communities.
• The program is designed to encourage Aboriginal
  youth to pursue their dreams and live a healthier
  lifestyle. Our message to them is to Lead Your
  Way!
• Currently in its fifth year, the program is
  hosted by the National Aboriginal Health
  Organization and funded by Health Canada.

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History of NARMP

• It was first established in 1984 as part of the
  National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program.
  It was called the National Native Role Model
  Program and was designed to encourage youth to
  pursue their dreams.
• The National Aboriginal Health Organization
  redesigned the role model program to include
  First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
• It includes a national scope of urban, rural and
  remote regions and youth focus.
• It has been re-named Lead Your Way! National
  Aboriginal Role Model Program.

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Goals and Objectives of NARMP

• Facilitate availability of Aboriginal role models
  to Aboriginal youth and communities.
• Influence behaviours and attitudes of Aboriginal
  youth toward healthy lifestyles.
• Promote healthy self-esteem among Aboriginal
  peoples.
• Strengthen Aboriginal identity.
• Enhance a positive public image of Aboriginal
  people.
• Foster Aboriginal inspired leadership.

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Role Models

• NARMP holds an annual call for nominations, where
  Aboriginal youth nominate other Aboriginal youth.
  Twelve role models are selected per year, and a
  poster and trading card is produced for each.
  These are distributed to the Aboriginal community
  and organizations across Canada.
• Role models are expected to
• Hold their position for one year.
• Promote the program by visiting Aboriginal
  communities and schools, and attending community
  events.
• Act as motivational speakers and inspire other
  young people to strive to reach their goals,
  promote a healthy lifestyle and show other young
  people that they can accomplish their goals.

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Role Model Promotions

• Posters
• Trading Cards

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Role Model Community Visits
Berens River, MB Baker Lake, NU Gitwinksihlkw,
BC Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL Nain, NL Sagamok,
ON Kyuquot, BC

• Kashechewan, ON
• Nemaska, QC
• Fort Good Hope, NT
• Halifax, NS
• Burnt Church, NB
• Cowessess First Nation, SK
• Hobemma, AB

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Testimonies

• The role models were very comfortable speaking
  and conversing with students (peers). Students
  will realize that they are from the same places
  and doing the same things as the models are, have
  desires and dreams. The thing I liked best about
  the visit was professionalism and the comfort
  level with the students. Excellent job by two
  beautiful girls and well grounded!!
• From the organizer of a youth leadership
  conference
• in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and
  Labrador,
• April 2008.

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Testimonies

• The role model was very friendly and the
  students could relate with him because he was an
  average student but set above average goals. Well
  done!
• From the organizer at the Samuel Hearne
  Secondary School
• in Inuvik, NorthwestTerritories, February 2008.
• Thank you for providing us with the opportunity
  to have the role model come to our school. It
  certainly helped provide insight and incentives
  for our students to get an education and the
  importance of staying in school.
• From the organizer at the Igloolik high school
  in Nunavut, November 2008.

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NARMP Advisory Committee

• The main purpose of the Advisory Committee is to
  build support for, and increase the awareness of
  the NARMP.
• The objectives of the Advisory Committee are to
• Guide the development of NARMP activities and
  projects.
• Increase the number of youth who reply to the
  nomination calls.
• Participate in the screening and grading of
  nomination forms.
• Assist in promoting NARMP.

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National Spokesperson

• The national spokesperson promotes the program
  and encourages First Nations, Inuit and Métis
  individuals, communities, and organizations to
  nominate role models.
• In 2004, Jordin Tootoo was selected as our first
  national spokesperson.
• In 2007, James Makokis is our current national
  Spokesperson.

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NARMP Mascot Bruce-Ma-Goose

• Bruce-Ma-Goose has an impact on community
  members of all agesfrom children to adults and
  Elders. He appears at Aboriginal events,
  conferences, schools and other community
  gatherings.

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Role Model Workbook

• To be used by youth workers, teachers, principals
  and counselors in Aboriginal communities.
  Available only in English.
• Includes activity ideas, worksheets for
  students, a 25-minute DVD, trading card sets from
  each year.
• Geared for Grades 4 to 8 students.

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Contact

• Lead Your Way!
• National Aboriginal Role Model Program
• National Aboriginal Health Organization
• 220 Laurier Ave West, Suite 1200
• Ottawa, ON K1P 5Z9
• Phone [phone], ext. 548 or 511
• Toll Free 1-877-602-4445
• Fax [phone]
• E-mail leadyourway_at_naho.ca
• www.naho.ca/rolemodel