Brandon Rae of North Spirit Lake First Nation, a student of Keewaytinook Internet High School, was honoured at this year’s Aboriginal Finance Officers Association (AFOA) annual national conference.
Rae received the 2013 AFOA/Potash Corporation Youth Financial Management Award for an essay he submitted to a contest open to youth from across Canada.
Rae was one of three Aboriginal youth honoured at the conference on Feb. 13 in Toronto. Emily Martell of Saskatchewan and Tanesha Gult of British Columbia were also awarded for their essays.
Each award recipient spoke to an audience of nearly 1,000 delegates. Rae’s dynamic speech moved his audience, evoking tears. Many of the audience members rushed to Rae’s side after the luncheon, congratulating him on his speech. Representatives from post-secondary institutions offered Rae business cards and encouraged him to apply.
Rae’s week included highlights such as meeting former Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney and Paul Martin, along with other dignitaries from corporate Canada.
National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo referenced the three youth in his conference address by saying, “they are not only leaders of tomorrow, they are our leaders today.”
Rae merits praise; he is a leader with infinite prospects ahead of him.
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