AGE: 24 | HEIGHT: 5'8" | HOMETOWN: VANCOUVER, BC
 |
Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
YES, I AM A MODEL & ACTOR.
Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
YES, F.L.E.S.S. (FRASER LAKE ELEMENTARY SECONDARY SCHOOL)
Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
ENGLISH, I also know some spanish.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I am artistically trained in music and drama.
In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
Throughout elementary and secondary school I was involved with various sports including: basketball, track & field, soccer and volleyball.
Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
Fraser Lake Elementary Secondary School: Dogwood Diploma, 2000
Simon Fraser University: HIPPY Coordinator’s Certificate, 2002
Langara College: In the process of attaining Bachelor of Arts Degree |
What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources?
I graduated a year early and at seventeen, worked for a native organization as a “Youth Conference Coordinator”. During this time I facilitated and coordinated conferences for First Nations youth from villages of northern and central BC. I also worked as an Information Communication Trainer for the government. As a communications trainer, I traveled to remote villages in northern British Columbia where I taught essential computer skills to First Nations youth and elders.
I have worked for various non-profit organizations over the years such as: The Chief Dan George Centre, The Native Education Centre, PGNAETA, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
I was fortunate to work and be affiliated with a program that is associated with Early Childhood Education. I obtained my HIPPY Coordinator Certificate and worked with the HIPPY childhood development program. This program addresses the diverse needs of families that struggle with conditions of poverty and low levels of literacy. The HIPPY program has helped over 22,000 families in over 8 countries worldwide. I was able to work as a Project Manager and Research Assistant of the Aboriginal HIPPY program.
What would be your "dream job" in life?
My Dream job is to become a successful actor and inspire youth that struggle with circumstances of poverty, and lack of opportunities, I want them to know that they can do or become anything that they want to be.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
My Grandmother has had the most influence on my life. She raised me and taught me cultural and moral values that I use today. She told me that I can become anyone I want to be in life. She has overcome so many obstacles in her life with residential school and living in poverty. She made so many sacrifices during her lifetime to ensure that her children had a better life. I wouldn’t be who I was today if it wasn’t for my Grandmother. She means the world to me.
What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)
When I competed with my twin sister in the national musical competition and received a gold award. I was also proud to be delegated as one of four aboriginal youth role models of British Columbia at an education conference. I am also proud to say that despite peer pressure I have never smoked and have stayed away from drugs and alcohol.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to be a successful actor and continue to represent and be a role model to First Nations people. I believe that with hard work, sacrifice and determination anyone can attain their dreams.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised on and off the little village of Stella, and also in Fraser Lake BC, a town that consists of less than 1,350 people. My identical twin sister and I were born in Prince George BC, the city is known as the northern capital of BC. I am from the Stellat’en First Nation and am of Carrier Dene ancestry. I had a young mother and was raised in part by my Grandmother. A part of my life I was raised in a low income family. I knew at a young age that I wanted to make a difference in other first nation youth’s lives by example. I wanted to have a better life and wanted to be able to give back to my family.
In the tradition of the Carrier Dene people, an elder from my village, rubbed warm bee hive into the palm of my hands when I was a baby so that I could have strong artistic abilities. Throughout the years I have expressed myself artistically through writing, painting, poetry, fashion design, sketching, dance and music. I play various musical instruments. As a teenager, I played flute duets with my twin sister and we played classical music in competitions. In high school, I tutored students that played the saxophone, flute, clarinet and the piccolo.
When I was growing up I involved myself in extra curricular activities at school. I joined a Jazz band. I was involved with various sports including: basketball, track & field, soccer and volleyball. During high school I also volunteered as a teacher’s assistant at the elementary school. I also acted in various after school plays.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
At the age of seventeen, I once worked as an Information Communication Trainer for the government. As a communications trainer, I traveled to remote villages in British Columbia where I taught computer skills to First Nations youth and elders. It was able to travel all over British Columbia to some remote villages. It was very difficult to get to some of these villages and the only way to access them was driving great distances or flying in small airplanes.
List any volunteering you have done.
I started to volunteer at an early age, for different organizations. I would go with my Grandmother to the Annual B.C. Elder’s Gatherings in the summer and assist elders. I also volunteered at the annual “Lejac Pilgrimage”. In high school, I tutored students that played the saxophone, flute, clarinet and the piccolo. I also volunteered as a teacher’s assistant at the elementary school. During college I became involved in the Big Sister’s Program as an “Aunty”.
Where is the most interesting place you have been?
I would have to say three places.
Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico was one of the most beautiful places I have seen. The natural architecture that mother earth constructs is miraculous.
Also, the village called Fort Ware in Northern British Columbia was unquestionably remarkable. The history that the youth knew about their territory was phenomenal. It was so beautiful because it was so untouched and unmarked by pollution and industrialism.
The Navajo Nation in Arizona was utterly stunning. The Navajo First Nation culture is beautiful and the landscape is picturesque.
What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
I believe the way I was raised was very different than the other contestants. In having a young mother I know what it feels like to live in poverty. I also know that with hard work and sacrifice you can overcome any situations and become anyone that you want to be in life. I believe that as a First Nations person I also have the responsibility of continuing to be a good role model to all First Nations people and be a role model to those persons currently living in poverty. I was raised knowing my First Nations culture and with good moral values.
What is your philosophy of/in life?
With hard work, sacrifice and determination anyone can attain their dreams.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
I will be living my dream.
Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
In my culture I have a Grandmother in each village in our nation. I was very fortunate growing up to have so many Grandmothers in my life.
Back |
