My name is Samantha R. and I am a grade 10 student at Jack James High School within the Calgary Board of Education.  I am proud of my Indigenous heritage which is Sahtu and Métis. 

I am grateful to participate in this amazing opportunity because I like to take advantage of every positive opportunity that I am gifted with; especially ones that honour and value Indigenous students and their voices. 

An equal and diverse/inclusive Canada means getting back to living with the land. Being respectful of the land is so important because she always knows the way. To be able to do this, we need to talk to and listen to those who know her the best. In order to respect diversity, we need to listen to Indigenous voices and listen to the truth. We can’t have reconciliation without truth and reconnection with the land. 

I look most forward to sharing this experience with other like-minded students. I like any opportunity that I have to share my gifts with others and to have them share their gifts with me. When young people are given the opportunity to share and to shine, we can achieve great things. I am excited for the connections that I will make as a result of this opportunity.