b'YOUTH ACHIEVEMENTTracie: Can you start by introducingas Indigenous youth are not onlyAdam: The Indspire Awards are yourself and telling us a bitbeing heard, but also celebrated.more than just a celebrationthey more about you and what youStanding in that moment, I feltare a testament to the power of currently do. connected to my family, my ances- Indigenous achievement, resilience tors and other Laureates whoand knowledge. For teachers, these Adam: My name is Adam Gauthier.paved the way and to the genera- awards can be used as a dynamic On my mothers side, I am Coasttions to come. It was a humblingteaching tool to inspire students of Salish from Tlaamin Nation, andand deeply inspiring momentall backgrounds. The stories of the on my fathers side, I am Cree fromthat reinforced the importance ofLaureates offer real-life examples Saulteau First Nation in Treaty 8our contributions to community,of perseverance, leadership and territory. I also have Mtis rootsculture and education. It showscultural pride. They provide an from Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. Tenthat our stories matter and thatopportunity to engage students in years ago, I moved to Victoria towe can rewrite the future for ourlearning about Indigenous history, pursue a higher education. I holdpeople, together. contemporary challenges, and the a Bachelor of Child and Youth Carepositive impact that education from the University of Victoria andTracie: What does being ancan have in our communities. The am currently working on my MasterIndspire Award Laureate mean toIndspire Awards can help break of Social Work, specializing inyou? down stereotypes and create a Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency,more inclusive and accurate under-at the University of Toronto. I doAdam: Being an Indspire Awardstanding of Indigenous peoples and family services work with JordansLaureate is an honour that holds soour contributions.Principle to ensure First Nationsmuch personal and collective signif-children and youth get the supporticance. It means that IndigenousTracie: You will be speaking at they need, collaborating with part- excellence is being recognized, andthe 2024 National Gathering in ners to address their unique needs. that we, as a people, can overcomeWinnipeg. What advice do you have the barriers placed before us. Itsfor teachers?Tracie: What was it like for youa call to keep striving for a future to receive the First Nations Youthwhere Indigenous knowledge,Adam: To the teachers Ill be Indspire Award?perspectives and achievements arespeaking to at the National respected. Gathering, I would say this: Adam: Receiving the First NationsEducating Indigenous students Youth Indspire Award was anTracie: How do you feel theis about more than delivering experience like no other. It felt like aIndspire Awards (production) cancurriculum. Its about creating powerful reminder that our voicesbe used as a teaching tool?spaces where their identities are honoured, their histories are told, and their futures are nurtured. You are in a unique position to uplift our youth by integrating Indigenous knowledge into your classrooms and empowering students to explore their cultures. My advice is to approach each day with humility and openness to learningbecause our communities have so much to teach. Whether its through land-based learning, the knowledge of Elders, or simply creating a classroom that acknowl-edges the impacts of colonization, your role as educators is critical to the healing journey we are all on. Empower your students, and together, we can reshape the future of education to one that values and celebrates Indigenous ways of knowing.54indspiration2024'