An honour roll student from northwestern Ontario said education is the key to bring about transformational change for the next generation of Aboriginal youth.
Erickson Owen, a 17-year-old high school student from Poplar Hill First Nation, delivered his remarks to a gathering of prominent Aboriginal business and political leaders at the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association Canada annual national conference in Montréal, Feb. 17.
His essay earned him an Aboriginal Youth Financial Management Award.
“My parents always taught me that getting your education is the key to having a good life,” said Owen, who will be the first member of his family to graduate high school and advance to post-secondary education.
The 17-year-old achieved a perfect 100 per cent in his studies last semester at Pelican Falls First Nations High School, near Sioux Lookout. He attended elementary school at Abe Scatch Memorial School in his Anishinaabe, 120 kilometres north of Red Lake.
With Bill Gates as his role model, Owen plans to pursue graduate and post-graduate degrees in finance and management and strives to obtain “sound financial and management skills to lead the next generation.”
His message to Aboriginal leaders is to place a focus on employment opportunities for youth on-reserve to enable communities to advance economically and socially.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox extended congratulations to Owen.
“We are extremely proud of Erickson and we and we join with his family, his school and his community to celebrate his achievements,” said Fox. “We admire his commitment to excel in his studies and we hope that his success sends a message to all NAN youth that with hard work and determination they can succeed in anything they set their minds to.”
