WINNIPEG – MAYAAs are presented to 15 outstanding Indigenous youth between the ages of 16 and 24 excelling in a wide array of categories from cultural to academic. Now in it’s 22nd year, the MAYAAs have proven to be a huge success, giving out nearly 300 awards, thousands of dollars in scholarship and doubling its size with more than 1600 attendees by the year 2000.
The awards were founded in 1994 as a way to combat negative images of Aboriginal youth and draw attention to youth in the community who excel in their activities. “This year there is such a diverse group of youth that have accomplished their personal goals with a strong sense of community and pride in being Indigenous,” notes MAYAA Co-Chair Darlene Daniels.
Key to the awards is its nomination and selection process. MAYAA recipients are chosen by a committee of indigenous youth from the community. “Having the youth select the recipients really engages the youth and reflects the aspiration and goals that they can strive for,” says Helen Robinson-Settee, MAYAA Co-chair.
Past MAYAA recipients Carter Wilson and Sila Rogan will host this year’s event. “MAYAA provided me with an opportunity to experience the support from the community and encouraged me to become even more involved in the community” says Wilson.
In addition to the award portion of the evening, White Horse Drum Group will serve as host drum along with Opikihiwawin Dancers. Inuit Throat Singer – Nikki Komaksuitiksak will also be performing. “MAYAA showed me the power of Manitoba’s flourishing Indigenous Youth community and I am honoured to be a part of it,” says Sila Rogen.
To learn more about the MAYAA and to purchase tickets for the event go to:
For more information, please contact:
Darlene Daniels, Co-Chair, Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards Phone: (204) 330-2586
Helen Robinson-Settee, Co-Chair, Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards Phone: (204) 782-4571
2016 RECIPIENTS
| ACADEMIC SENIOR | KYLE MONKMAN, Metis, Winnipeg MB |
| ACADEMIC JUNIOR: | EMMA GILLESPIE, Metis, Winnipeg, MB |
| ATHLETIC SENIOR: | CHRISTIAN TOUPIN, Metis, St. Claude, MB |
| ATHLETIC JUNIOR: | LINDEN MCCORRISTER, Peguis First Nation, MB |
| COMMUNITY/VOLUNTEER SENIOR | ALEX HOSFIELD, Métis, Selkirk, MB |
| COMMUNITY/VOLUNTEER JUNIOR | SHAE-LYNN PETERS, Métis, Sandy Bay First Nation |
| CULTURAL FEMALE: | JULIE DESROCHERS, Metis, Winnipeg, MB |
| CULTURAL MALE: | RANDALL KEEPER, Little Grand Rapid First Nation, MB |
| PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT SENIOR: | APRIL WILSON, Peguis First Nation, MB |
| PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT JUNIOR: | KYLLA HARPER, Wasagamack First Nation, MB |
| ARTISTIC VISUAL: | KENNEDY WILKINSON, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, MB |
| ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE: | BROOKLYN RUDOLPH-NICHOLAS, Winnipeg, MB |
| HEALTH NORTH: | MONTANA YOUNG, Sapoteyak Cree Nation |
| HEALTH SOUTH: | TRINA WHITE, Naotkamegwanning First Nation
(Whitefish Bay, ON) |
| LINDA PARK AWARD FOR
BUSINESS/ENTREPRENEURSHIP: |
KAILEY ATKINSON, Sandy Bay First Nation, MB |
| EMPLOYMENT IN A
TRADITIONAL FIELD: |
HARLEY TACAN, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, MB |
MANITOBA ABORIGINAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 510 Selkirk Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R2W 2M7 www.mayaa.ca
