lakehead masters student receives naho award

(june 24, 2008 --thunder bay, on) robert animikii horton (bebaamoyaash), 26-year-old sociology masters student at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 and band member from the community of manitou rapids (rainy river first nations), has received the 2008 national aboriginal health organization (naho) national aboriginal role model award. robert is one of 12 recipients across canada.

the award is the culmination of lead your way, a naho program that celebrates the accomplishments of first nation, inuit, and métis youth aged 13 to 30 while inspiring other aboriginal youth to strive to reach their goals and to inspire. each year, 12 aboriginal role models are nominated by their peers across canada. final selection is based on achievements, leadership, and inspiration. this is the second consecutive year that manitou rapids has held boasting rights for this award as robert's fellow community member carissa copenance (nigaan-niga-bawik) was a 2007 recipient.

horton is a youth advocate, sociologist, and spoken-word poet. he is a dedicated social and political activist who is involved with indigenous rights - not surprising given the long line of indigenous leadership from which he stems. "i come from a family that embodies political, educational, and social leadership qualities in their roles as educators and leaders," horton explains. his mother, shirley horton, lifelong indigenous educator and family advocate, was raised on the manitou reserve by maggie horton, his grandmother. maggie was a respected medicine person, and sandy, her life partner, was a former chief. sandy's brother, jim horton, was also a former chief who was elected chief of the indian nations of north america (inna) during the first half of the twentieth century. robert further associates his drive to succeed with the positive influence of delbert horton, his uncle, mentor, and educator. with these roots, none are surprised that naho has selected robert, to whom the organization has referred as an "ogichidaa scholar, activist, and future leader."

robert is seen as a role model because of his continued efforts to create positive change for his people. he says, "it's important to raise awareness about the political, social, economic, and educational struggles that too many of our indigenous youth and adults too often face. by influencing our youth to be aware that choices and options do exist, i am starting at the roots in hopes of strengthening and solidifying the identity and public image of our indigenous peoples."

throughout the coming year, robert will have the opportunity to share his success story and his experiences with fellow indigenous and first nation youth at their celebrations, school functions, workshops, and conferences that will be held in various communities across canada.

the governor-general presented robert with his award at ottawa's rideau hall on june 21.

about robert horton

robert animikii horton - "ogichidaa scholar, activist, and future leader"

robert's anishinaabe name is "bebaamoyaash," meaning "sound from above." he is from the waabizheshi dodem (marten clan).

robert is a former rainy river first nations social policy analyst and education coordinator/curriculum developer. he grew up in the twin cities watching paul wellstone, a progressive social activist who had an incredible influence on him

2008

• 10+ year supporter of ejército zapatista de liberación nacional (ezln) and long-time advocate and supporter of social and political movements for progressive change
• 4-year board of directors member of the minnesota indian education association
• lifetime induction to alpha kappa delta - international honors society for sociology
• recipient of 2008 northwestern ontario aboriginal youth achievement award for academics
• involved with the anishinaabemowin anjimaamino bijigaade treaty #3 language revitalization project
• adopted into the justice institute of british columbia's indigenous leadership portion of a departmental curriculum by a university of victoria faculty member and academic
• adopted as trustee on the rainy river first nation community land claim trust fund following rrfn's historic land claim (46,000+ acres, $71 million in economic compensation)
• adopted into a university-level introductory sociology textbook as a first nation sociologist (by pine forge press and sage publications). publication goes to print in november
• assisted rainy river first nation administration with historian research for the unveiling of the manitou rapids war veteran memorial
• rrfn youth advocate - not to be swept under the rug? assisted anishinaabe youth britnee hunter express her voice regarding dissatisfaction among indigenous 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 in school systems
• authored and disseminated our home and native land and fahrenheit 2060, social/political current event articles dealing with first nation and indigenous peoples in canada

2007

• developed a consultation analysis for rainy river first nation of 2006 rrfn governance, program, as well as an organizational external review
• community speaker at the rainy river first nation annual community gathering
  with canadian indigenous actor gordon tootoosis (north of 60, the edge)
• authored social and political analysis currents and still waters: a manitou rapids manifesto, unanimously supported by rainy river first nation chief, council, and manager of administration

2006

• volunteer lecturer on first nation education and curriculum, sociology department, lakeheaduniversity (dr. david nock)
• authored a 300-page curriculum on anishinaabe culture, life, and history for the rainy river board of education
• directing action-oriented sociological research entitled preparing the seventh generation: what are the educational needs and concerns of 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 from rainy river first nations, a publication that will give indigenous youth a forum through which to voice their needs and concerns
• keynote speaker at rainy river first nation annual education award ceremony
• presented commodification of native culture at the minnesotastate research colloquium, st. cloud, mn.

2005

• co-founded the coalition of historical accuracy in collaboration with the human relations department from st. cloudstateuniversity

robert supports and advocates on behalf of:

(1996-2008) ejército zapatista de liberación nacional (ezln)
(2004-2008) new democratic party (nouveau parti démocratique, ndp) in canada
(2002-2008) amnesty international
(1998-2008) leonard peltier defense committee
(2006-2008) world can't wait
(2002-2008) college democrats
(2001-2008) people united for peace
(2003-2008) democratic socialists of america
(2005-2008) 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 for a democratic society

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media: robert is available for media interview on tuesday, june 24. he can be contacted directly at 807-768-9103 or r.horton.rrfn@gmail.com.if you have any questions regarding this media release, please contact eleanor abaya, director of communications, 807-343-8372 or eabaya@lakeheadu.ca.

about lakehead
lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. with a main campus located in thunder bay, ontario and a campus in orillia, ontario, lakehead has over 7,500 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the northernontarioschool of medicine. in 2006, research infosource inc. named lakehead universitycanada's researchuniversity of the year in the undergraduate category. for more information on lakeheaduniversity, visit www.hsbcwebinars.com