Kody Taylor is a young Ojibwe woman from the Berens River First Nation in Manitoba. She grew up in Riverton, Manitoba, where the Riverton & District Friendship Centre was part of her growth as a Youth Leader. Kody has worked very hard in ensuring that the Aboriginal Youth voice is heard in all her endeavours. She travels frequently to advocate for the youth of the Friendship Centre Movement and promotes leadership among young Aboriginal people wherever she goes. Kody's travels have taken her to the United Nations Headquarters, Parliament Hill, and Rideau Hall where she attended a reception in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to celebrate the exceptional service of Canadian youth towards a smart and caring nation. Kody is a single parent to an adorable toddler named Chayce. Thanks to the support of her family, Kody is able to successfully accomplish her duties and fulfill her roles in work, school and in life. Kody is in her final year of her Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Native Studies and a Minor in Native Languages at the University of Manitoba. Kody also works as the Program Coordinator at the Riverton & District Friendship Centre.
Email: taylor_kod3@hotmail.com

Eric Klapatiuk is from the Carrier Peoples in Quesnel, BC. Eric is going to school to become a teacher with a major in theatre and a minor in anthropology were he would like to specialize in First Nation studies. Eric is currently the Vice President for the Aboriginal Youth Council, as well as a Youth Representative for Quesnel Tillicum Society Native Friendship Centre, and he also sits on BC’s Aboriginal Youth Council. Eric, now residing in Kamloops, BC, intends to continue furthering his education and give his support and voice for our aboriginal youth.
Email: eric.klapatiuk@live.ca 

Bronwyn is a young Métis woman from La Ronge, Saskatchewan. She was newly elected as Treasurer of the AYC and also holds the position of Secretary for the Board of Directors of the Kikanahk Friendship Center. Bronwyn loves children and youth and is presently in her second year of a four year Bachelor of Education Degree through the Northern Teacher Education Program NORTEP in La Ronge. Bronwyn will continue to work and volunteer to ensure that Aboriginal youth are aware of the opportunities they have and how they can achieve their goals. As the proud recipient of the 2010 Most Active Youth Award at the National Association of Friendship Centers AGM, Bronwyn hopes to continue to be a positive role model for Aboriginal youth.
Email:  kikinohk@kikinahk.com

 Krissy Mintz is a young Northern Tutchone woman who was born in Whitehorse, Yukon. Krissy's home town is Carmacks, Yukon and she is a proud member of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation.  Krissy will graduate in June with a Business Administration Diploma at the Yukon College.  She is currently employed at the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre, as the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth Assistant Coordinator. Before taking the position, Krissy was the Youth Director on the Skookum Jim Board of Directors. Krissy is very passionate about helping Youth, and is actively involved in her community. Krissy is dedicated to continue her involvement with Aboriginal Youth as a life time career. Krissy's desire to succeed  proves she is a positive role model in her community.
Email:  Kmintz50@hotmail.com

Lucy Trimble Heffernan is a young Nisga’a First Nation woman from the Ganada Clan with roots in Gingolx, BC and Newfoundland and Labrador. Lucy currently resides in Prince Rupert, BC where she is employed as a youth support worker for the Friendship House Youth Hub. She also sits on the Prince Rupert Community Art’s Council. Lucy is the BC Representative on PAYC to the Aboriginal Youth Council. Lucy will be starting her degree in Child and Youth Care through distance education so that she can stay in her home community to continue your work with youth. She is proud to be a part of the Friendship Centre Movement on a local, provincial and nation level.
Email: lucy_support@friendshiphouse.ca

Tyler Sayese is a young Métis man from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and is the youth representative of the Prince Albert Indian & Métis Friendship Centre. Tyler also sits on the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan Executive Board as the interim Executive Youth Representative.  Tyler is increasingly becoming more involved in the Friendship Centre Movement, Tyler’s aspirations is to create greater awareness of Saskatchewan’s Youth Council and advocate on behalf of all urban Aboriginal peoples. Tyler is a strong advocate of Aboriginal education opening doors for greater opportunity and believes that a better quality of life for urban Aboriginal people can be achieved through educational attainment. Tyler is looking toward his future goals of becoming an art and design student.
Email:tylersayese@live.ca

Lorena Garvey is a proud Anishinaabe Kwe from the Ojibwe nation. She has been an active member of her local Friendship Centre in Windsor Ontario for the past 12 years. Lorena has been involved with the Ontario Aboriginal Youth Council, for the past two years starting as the Southwest Regional representative, and now sitting as the Director of National Association of Friendship Centres – Aboriginal Youth Council relations. Lorena sits on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, as well on the Aboriginal Youth Council as the Ontario representative.
Email:  lorenagarvey@gmail.com

Andrea Landry is a young Anishinaabe woman from the Pays Plat First Nation in Ontario, Andrea is currently residing in Nanaimo, BC where she is completing her degree in Child and Youth Care. Andrea is employed as a youth worker and Aboriginal youth leadership and training coordinator at Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre. Andrea is passionate about the Friendship Centre Movement and strives to work hard for her people. Andrea lives a healthy and positive lifestyle and is looking forward to continuing her education and pursuing her goals. Andrea has been involved in the Friendship Centre Movement for much of her life, and has sat on the Provincial Youth Council in BC for three years, as well as the National Aboriginal Youth Council for one year; Andrea has developed the skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of Youth Executive and is very proud to hold this position. Andrea is very motivated and looks forward to all the new experiences that crosses her path.
Email: andrea_landry@hotmail.ca

Gabrielle Victoria Fayant

Gabrielle Victoria Fayant is a young Métis woman, originating from Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, Alberta, currently residing in the National Capital. Gabrielle takes pride in her endeavors, specifically as the Youth Development Leadership Officer of the National Association of Friendship Centres and her journey to acquire her BA in Psychology and Aboriginal Studies at Carleton University. Gabrielle is determined to represent the strong voice of Aboriginal youth to the best of her ability in all opportunities, especially in those situations where their voice is neglected or ignored.  Gabrielle is a hard worker and does not hesitate to utilize her abilities to accomplish her goals; she is often complimented on her diligence and overcoming adversity by leaps and bounds. Gabrielle encourages all youth to participate in their local and provincial councils and looks forward to working with the national Aboriginal Youth Council to accomplish their goals.

Gabrielle Victoria Fayant
Youth Development Leadership Officer
National Association of Friendship Centres
275 MacLaren St.
Ottawa, ON K2P 0L9
Telephone: 613-563-4844X337
Fax: 613-594-3428
Email: gfayant@nafc.ca