Congratulations to Métis Youth Jera Wolfe for making top 18 on "So Youth Think You Can Dance Canada".

Jera needs the support of the Métis community!! To vote for him and his partner Kirsten Wicklund, simply watch So You Think You Can Dance Canada each week on CTV. After each dance performance is over, an assigned toll-free voting phone number will appear for that dancer. Voting will open at the end of the performance show and remain open for two hours following the broadcast in your region.

Ballet/Contemporary/Free Style Break Dancer
Check out Jera Wolfe's Auditions on YOUTUBE:

Interview with Jera Wolfe Breaking the mould Published:2010-08-29

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARIAH DAHL!

Mariah, a high school student in Abbotsford, won tickets to an Olympic Men's Hockey Game through her school and MYBC with her essay 'Proud to Be Métis'.

Proud to be Métis

By Mariah Dahl

I grew up most of my life not knowing a whole lot about my background. My mom was adopted at a very young age by a Norwegian family and was not raised with any Métis influence. She was told the basis of her family history but never fully explored it throughout her life.

My childhood was similar in the sense that I never participated in anything Métis and it was never a big part of my life. As I progressed through school, I learned more and more about aboriginal history and started to ask more questions about how I am related to it,. It was very interesting to find out that the people in the textbooks, who had suffered in the past, are somehow related to me. Although I never felt the same hardship they did just for being Métis, I have learned enough about it to understand and be thankful that they did everything they could to keep their traditions alive and passed on through generations.

Being Métis is not something that you can choose to be or not. I am very proud to know that I am a part of the history and that I am carrying on the pride I am sure they all had for their culture. I hope to someday be able to tell my children about their heritage and I hope that they share the same pride I do.

Proud Métis Youth Carries The Torch

Hanako Nagao, youth representative for the Métis Nation Columbia River Association proudly carried the Olympic torch for her Nation in Invermere, B.C. on January 22, 2010. It was so fitting that she passed the torch under the watchful eyes of David Thompson and Métis Charlotte Small.

On behalf of MYBC, we would like to congratulate Desarae Lafleur on winning the Métis Youth Writing Contest.

Please check out the newest edition of Whispering Winds to view the top 4 entries.

Feature: Brittany Ewald

Please meet Métis Youth Brittany Ewald from Quick, B.C. She is the current Miss Bulkley Valley Horsewoman 2009 and now running for the new title of 'Top Teen of Canada' 2009.

During the Miss Bulkley Valley Horsewoman Pageant, Brittany was named Miss Volunteer, Miss Entrepreneur, and of course, the 1st place winner. She received a new crown, a new sash, and her title of Miss Chatters was changed to Miss Bulkley Valley Horsewoman.

The 'Top Teen of Canada', which is a youth development program was developed by Canadian public school teachers and is Brittany's new challenge.

Please vote for Brittany Ewald on the 'Top Teen of Canada' website: http://www.topteenofcanada.com/

Curtis Pocha

My name is Curtis Pocha, I am fifteen year old and my Aboriginal background is Métis. My Father is also Métis and my Mother is First Nations. I have a younger brother and sister. I live in Cranbrook, BC. I started Tae Kwon Do when I was five years old and still actively participate after ten years. My Father, Mother, Sister and Brother all do Tae Kwon Do with me. My Father is my instructor and coach, he also teaches his own school with his partner. During the summer of 2006, I was competing in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). I received a Gold medal in the sparring division after my two matches. I was presented with my Black belt in the spring of 2007 and want to become a Master myself. Before the games I went to Vancouver to train with Master Sirota who was our team B.C. coach. I was also interviewed by APTN. Competing and training for the games was a great adventure.

I was invited to go to Batoche and I had a great time and met new people. During that trip I made a few good friends. I learned lots about my heritage and I am PROUD TO BE MéTIS. I enjoy being involved in Métis activities so that I could tell other Métis Youth about my experiences so that maybe they will be compelled to get more involved and learn more about their heritage as I did.

Nicholas (Nick) Koster

Nicholas (Nick) Koster is from Ashcroft BC and in June of 2007 Graduated from Ashcroft Secondary School. The picture is of President Bruce Dumont presenting the Ceremonial Graduation Sash to Nick. A very proud time for his family! Nick is currently in the process of starting his own Gutter Company which is based out of Merritt. His company name is The Gutter Crew. He has also applied at the Merritt aquatic center as a Lifeguard to take up some of the long winter nights. Nick is a member of the Merritt District Métis Association.

Cheri Gullason

Cheri Gullason is from Ashcroft BC and in June of 2007 Graduated from Ashcroft Secondary School. The picture is of Cheri being presented with her Ceremonial Graduation Sash from President Bruce Dumont. Cheri is also quite the fighter and enters "so you want to fight" in Kamloops BC. This is the second year in a row that Cheri has entered. In the picture Cheri looks like she is ready to "give it to her competition" but the competition "gave it to Cheri". Nice try Cheri! Cheri works for A.S.C. as the parts person. And one day hopes to attend welding school. Cheri is the Youth Representative for Merritt District Métis Association.

Chelsey Cooper

Chelsey Cooper is from Ashcroft BC and in June of 2007 Graduated from Ashcroft Secondary School. The picture is of President Bruce Dumont presenting the Ceremonial Graduation Sash to Chelsey. Her mom cried. Chelsey is currently attending Thompson Rivers University working on her Bachelor of Arts and is hoping to attend school in September of 2008 to become a Dental Assistant.