Lake City Secondary Students Grace Anderson and Finley Testawich have handed off their crowns to School District 27’s (SD 27) new Indigenous Role Models Terrence Ramos and Michaellaine Evans.
A rigorous process of workshops and applications wrapped up in the evening of Thursday, May 22, during the 2025 Indigenous Role Model crowning ceremony at Lake City Secondary School (LCSS) in Williams Lake.
With a record number of 19 students vying for the role, each and every candidate was celebrated by the evening’s speakers for their courage and leadership in stepping up to the opportunity.
“It’s not just about winning,” said Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) as he welcomed guests to his nation's territory. “A big part of this competition is honouring every single one of you that had the courage to step forward - putting your name forward and going through the rigorous process from beginning to end. This is exactly what healing, is seeing something through.”
Of the 14 female candidates, Grade 9 Columneetza Junior Secondary School student Michaellaine Evans was selected as the next female Indigenous Role Model for the Cariboo Chilcotin School District. Evans of WLFN was escorted during the ceremony by her young cousin Marcus Alphonse.
In her written submission, Evans said her Indigenous ancestry teaches her to do her best in all she does and that her culture gives her strength. She enjoys jingle dancing and had her very first regalia at the age of three, made and gifted by her mother. Evans attends all the powwows she can including one coming up this weekend and believes a role model should be relatable and easy to communicate with.
In a flurry of handshakes and photos with friends and families following the crowning, Evans told the Tribune she felt amazing. It was hard work to get here she said, but she’s looking forward to the year ahead.
Of the five male candidates, Terrence Ramos was selected to be the district’s male Indigenous Role Model for 2025. A member of the Esk’etemc community southwest of Williams Lake, Ramos is a Grade 10 student at LCSS and is friends with Testawich, whom he exchanged a handshake with during the ceremony.
In his writeup, Ramos said he believes a good role model shows trust and respect in themselves and others and is a good leader. He said role models are aware and involved in their culture and live a healthy lifestyle free of drugs and alcohol. Ramos is a grass dancer and also enjoys attending powwows. He said his First Nations culture has shaped him into the person he is today, and he is proud to learn from his elders to hold onto his culture.
After Evans and Ramos were crowned and given their sashes and quilts, they sent off the outgoing role models with crowns to keep.
The new role models each received a certificate as well as a $500 bursary, handed to them by the district’s superintendent and board of education chair. All of the candidates who were not selected received jackets for their participation, and the City of Williams Lake gifted pins to them as well as to Evans and Ramos.
Before handing off their crowns, Testawich and Anderson each shared words about their experience as the 2024-2023 Indigenous Role Models.
“One of those things I learned was just being that Indigenous guy,” said Testawich after expressing his disbelief that the year is already coming to an end. “What I learned about being a role model is being myself and how I am.”
Anderson thanked all the chiefs, communities and Indigenous support staffs who helped her in her success as a role model and who contributed to her growth.
“Throughout this year I have had the opportunity to experience many new and exciting things,” Anderson said. “I have greatly enjoyed my year and the support I’ve received as well as my own personal growth.”
Elders, chiefs and leaders spoke during the ceremony, acknowledging the students for their hard work and for the leading role they will play in the world’s future.
Esk’etemc Kúkwpi7 Fred Robbins thanked the district for hosting the ceremony, noting how far the district and local communities have come and how important it is to continue moving forward with change.
Ramos and Evans are the district’s 22nd Indigenous role models, a program which Superintendent Cheryl Lenardon said continues to grow.
Along with the newly crowned role models, this year's candidates included Grade 11 Peter Skene Ogden Secondary (PSO) student Warren Carlson, Grade 11 LCSS student Keira Billyboy, Grade 9 PSO student Sophie Chorney, Grade 11 LCSS student Treval LaRue, Grade 10 PSO student Emerald Emery, Grade 9 Columneetza student Quinshana Setah, Grade 8 Columneetza student Wade Hansen, Grade 8 PSO student Eva Smith, Grade 8 Columneetza student Emma Lebel, Grade 10 PSO student Eden Jones, Grade 8 PSO student Kolby Robins, Grade 10 LCSS student Eva Marie Jalbert, Grade 9 Columneetza student Ash Coleman Stroters, Grade 11 LCSS student Macie Yanko, Grade 9 Columneetza student Kamille Cunningham, Grade 9 Columneetza student Amy Stump and Grade 8 Columneetza student Megan Johns.
