Dilico Anishinabek Family Care celebrates 2024 Step Up Kids Awards recipients
By Rick Garrick
FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care celebrated the 10 recipients of the 2024 Step Up Kids Awards on Nov. 15 at the Dilico Pow Wow in the Fort William First Nation Community Centre.
Brentley Collins, a 10-year-old student, grass dancer, drummer, and singer from St. Anne’s School who has been on the pow wow trail since he was two-years-old and recently fulfilled his dream of being a Grandfather Drum carrier, was recognized with a Changemaker award.
“It feels really good and awesome,” Collins says. “Right after the Step Up Kids Awards, I’m supposed to grab my drum. To be recognized like this is amazing.”
Madisyn Hebert, a 13-year-old student from Pope John Paul II School, was recognized with a Leader award. She is a published illustrator for two books and serves as a reading coach, studies Anishinaabemowin, and embraces Indigenous culture and teachings.
“It’s really amazing, I feel really good about myself and I’m just honoured to be getting this [award],” Hebert says, noting that she helps other students with their school work. “I’m on a cheer team and I help coach cheer teams, I’m a leader in my school community, I’m part of the JCC (Jaguar Certified Committee) at Pope John Paul, and I’ve been signing up for everything I could that is leadership and helping. I help around Pope John Paul with events and assemblies that are happening around our school.”
Hebert also enjoys dancing at pow wows.
“Even though I don’t have regalia, it’s really nice to just go in there and dance,” Hebert says.
Clayton Waboose, a 17-year-old student from St. Patrick’s High School, was recognized with a Leader award. He is the Indigenous student trustee for the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and he stepped up and saved a young person’s life last year after witnessing them struggle.
“I’m very happy and inspired that people look up to me and that I’m able to help my community in a good way,” Waboose says. “After high school, I’m hoping to go to Western University and study science and hopefully eventually go into medicine.”
Waboose says his role as the Indigenous student trustee is to bring issues in the school to the board.
“It’s my first-time experience in advocacy,” Waboose says. “I really enjoy the people that I work with, they’re very supportive and it’s a really good experience.”
The 2024 Step Up Kids Awards recipients also included Jayla Crane, a nine-year-old student from Sherbrooke School who was recognized with a Leader award; Alexandra Kakegamic, a 16-year-old student from St. Patrick’s High School who was recognized with a Helper award; Eleanor Makkinga, a nine-year-old who was recognized with a Leader award; Gracie Peacock, a 13-year-old student from Bishop E.Q. Jennings School who was recognized with a Helper award; Jocelyn Schaaf, a 10-year-old student from Kingsway Park Public School who was recognized with a Dreamer award; Daniel Scobie-Robinson, a 14-year-old student from Marathon High School who was recognized with a Changemaker award; and Charlie Zuefle, a seven-year-old who was recognized with a Helper award.
“The Step Up Kids Awards shine the spotlight on 10 exceptional kids from across the District of Thunder Bay that have demonstrated kindness, leadership, initiative, or creativity in making a difference in their community,” says Vanessa McLaughlin, director of child welfare at Dilico. “By honouring contributions, we are saying to all children, ‘Your actions matter, you are seen, valued and supported by your community.’ This recognition helps build confidence, inspire other kids, and is the foundation for making safe and positive choices.”
The awards ceremony also featured a Jingle Dress Special during the pow wow that honoured the resilience, kindness, and leadership of each recipient.