The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell,
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (left) with
Mélanie-Rose Frappier (centre); and Maria
Topalovich, Board Member, Ontario Heritage
Trust (right) following the presentation of the
Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards. (Picture by Tessa Buchan, courtesy of the
Ontario Heritage Trust).
On February 27, 2015, Métis youth Mélanie-Rose Frappier was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award at a ceremony at Queen’s Park in Toronto. The Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards are presented annually to individuals, groups and communities that have made outstanding contributions to conserving Ontario’s heritage.
Mélanie-Rose is involved in a range of youth, community and cultural activities that led École secondaire du Sacré Cœur to nominate her for the Heritage Award in the Youth Achievement category. Mélanie-Rose is proud of her francophone and Métis heritage and is the sole student representative for the Aboriginal Advisory Education Committee and was integral in creating the first Aboriginal Studies course to be offered in the French Catholic School Board.
Even prior to being selected for the Heritage Trust Award, Mélanie-Rose had an impressive portfolio. Last year, she received the prestigious Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 Award, which recognizes the exceptional leadership, innovation and achievements of 20 young people under the age of 20 from across the country. She is a recipient of the National Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award and the Gathering Our Voices Aboriginal Youth Award both of which recognized her outstanding leadership qualities and her dedication to improving her community. Last fall she participated in the Aboriginal Youth Panel at Toronto WE Day where she shared her pride in her Métis heritage.
Mélanie-Rose’s community involvement includes countless volunteer hours and youth leadership roles in a number of organizations. She has also been a participant of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Infinite Reach March Break Camp two years in a row.
She also volunteers to promote healthy living in her community and in 2013, Mélanie-Rose was chosen to be Youth Ambassador of Canada to the United States Embassy.
The members of the MNO Canoe Expedition also received a Heritage Award on February 27. Click here to read their story.