Dokis FN youth running in Miss Northern Ontario Pageant

My name is Nathalie Restoule. I am a proud Anishinaabe Kwe, 20 years old, from Dokis First Nation. I am a delegate participating in the Miss Northern Ontario Pageant Competition. I have chosen to represent the Anishinabek Nation during the competition. This pageant is being held on May 12-14, 2016 in Sudbury, ON. This pageant is like no ordinary pageant, this opportunity is designed to build self-esteem, confidence, healthy relationships, leadership skills and more! I am excited to learn and share with the participating delegates I meet during this time.

I can say with great pride that I have achieved much for the life that I have lived. Everything I do in life, I do with good intentions that not only I will benefit from. I have always walked a good and healthy road but have faced many challenges. From a young age, I knew Creator put me here to do something amazing. I always wanted to change the world. Creator gifted me many things throughout time, which was love, truth, humility, honesty, respect, bravery, and wisdom. Carrying these close to my heart, I learned a lot about myself. I am a role model and a good leader. I have been through a lot to get to where I am today. I now understand and accept many of my strengths and weaknesses, which helps me find balance: emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually  which has helped me become successful.

I have been rewarded for being myself and obtaining passion for Anishinaabe People. I have organized and helped with events in schools to bring teachings of Anishinaabe ways. Soon later, I have been nominated then selected to receive the Lincoln M. Alexander Award: youth who demonstrate eliminating racial discrimination. Also, I have received an honor award “Student Who Makes a Difference.” Those are reminders for me that I am headed in the right direction toward my life duty. I had begun to inspire myself which leads me to push myself and work even harder for a greater success. I had been chosen to represent Wikwemikong Unseeded Reserve as their Miss Wikwemikong Powwow Princess, which has encouraged me to hold the responsibility to walk on the good red road. During the time of traveling to powwows and conferences, I have then been elected as Anishinabek Nation Female Youth Representative.

There are no limitations when you want to change the world.  I learned to manage my time and take on all duties. I wouldn’t change my life for anything; and I made a promise to myself, I will keep going until I can no longer. My next steps to changing the world is to run for Miss Northern Ontario.

I want to use this opportunity as a tool to create a platform to bring awareness to First Nations issues, as well as our values. I want to collectively and wholistically be a voice for my people. I want to focus on healthy lifestyles for our youth who believe there is no hope. I want to encourage and inspire our youth to follow their dreams, and be the best that they can be as individuals. I want to remind our people of our resiliency. I want to also encourage our woman, to recognize their self-worth in our communities. I want to acknowledge the men, for being there to support our woman when they are in need.

As a delegate, representing the Anishinabek Nation in this year’s Miss Northern Ontario Pageant, I will work hard from my heart. In doing so, I will encourage and inspire our people in recreating new positive stereotypes!

I am going to change the world. I believe these endless opportunities is the key to success and positive change. I will continue to strive for success not only for myself but for others around me. Through my accomplishments, visions, goals, as well as support from everyone; I know I will make a positive change for a person, a community, and a nation.

Later on in the competition, there will be an online voting on a photo of myself.  I will be updating on my social media.

Chi-Miigwech to all those who have supported me on my journey: family, friends, my sponsors: Shear Oasis Hair Design, M. Thorpe & Associates Inc. and the Anishinabek News!