Melanie Frappier is an active youth member of the Métis Nation of Ontario; she also participates in various Aboriginal events such as Louis Riel Day and National Aboriginal Day in her Sudbury community. She is a member of the Conseil scolaire du Nouvel-Ontario Aboriginal Education Program, which aims to engage young Aboriginal teens to learn more and make a positive difference in their lives. This year Melanie was awarded the Aboriginal Youth Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment and community successes at the 2014 Gathering Our Voices Aboriginal Youth Conference which took place March 18-21 in Vancouver.

Since starting in Brazil in 2002, the U.S. Department of State Youth Ambassadors Program has expanded to 25 countries to bring together high school students and adult mentors to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities. During the program, Youth Ambassadors assist American volunteer and community service organizations, learn about and experience American culture through homestays, and build links with American civil society and schools. The students gain new leadership skills and perspectives to take back and apply to their own service projects in their home communities. For additional details on the Youth Ambassadors Program visit exchanges.state.gov

By U.S. Consulate General Toronto | 2 October, 2014 | Topics: Toronto