Nipissing communicator wins YES Trust Fund Award
By Kelly Anne Smith
A Nipissing First Nation woman has been recognized for excellence in career planning. Shayla Brunet was presented with a bursary at the 16th annual Yes Training Trust Fund (YTTF) awards.
The awards are to highlight the accomplishments of young people who have clearly identified their career goals with the adoption of short and long term plans to get them there.
Brunet has won the award twice. The first time was in 2006. “In reviewing my goals on the first submission, it was noted that I had accomplished all my career goals.”
Brunet has an advanced diploma in Journalism – Print & Broadcast from Canadore College and a B.A. in Mass Communication from Carleton University.
For the YTTF, Brunet had to submit a two-page essay about her accomplished short and long-term career goals.
Ten young people won the awards. They all overcame obstacles and challenges in reaching their goals. . Special events were held to fundraise for the bursaries. Thirty applications were received.
Brunet couldn’t say enough about the support she received from her family and the gratitude she has for them. She says they all helped with achieving her accomplishments.
“My family was constantly was fueling my passion for communications with encouragement and love. My Mother, Rhonda Martel, Father Eugene Legault, and Step-Father Kerry Martel, Aunts Doreen Bellaire and Marie Stevens, along with my late Grandmother, Delina (Commanda) Legault, were huge positive forces during all my schooling.”
Right now she is glowing with gratitude in her position at Nipissing First Nation. She aspired to come back to her home territory after attaining her education. Brunet wanted more than anything to work for the band she is thankful to. “I put together the newsletter. I update the electronic signs. I compile the calendar. I monitory and post news to Facebook and Twitter. I write and promote awareness material such as the new fisheries booklet. I just updated pamphlets for Social Services. It really doesn’t stop.”
“The Education Department and Administration at NFN cheered my schooling choices, and schooling was mostly funded by NFN. I’ve worked for Nipissing First Nation in full-time, contract and relief roles, which helped me build skills and realize a career goal. I am extremely grateful of the support of administration and staff, during my current contract as Communications Officer for Nipissing First Nation.“
Brunet hasn’t stopped setting her sights on new professional challenges. She is hopeful to one day become an Indigenous Justice of the Peace and Officiant.