NAHO Congratulates Role Models for their success at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards

Ottawa, ON - The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is thrilled to congratulate 2008 National Aboriginal Role Model, Inez for winning four awards at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA). Inez took home awards for Best New Artist, Best Pop CD, Best Album Cover Design and Single of the Year for her track Breathe.

“Inez is a rising star who we look forward to following as her future endeavours unfold,” says Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO. “She received the honour of being recognized as a NAHO National Aboriginal Role Model in 2008 for her outstanding contributions to her community.”

While continuing to work as a community and homecare nurse for Stó:lō Nation Health Services, Inez emerged onto the Canadian Music scene in 2006. In 2008, Inez released her second album, the award winning Singsoulgirl.”

The proud Sto:lo, Ojibway, and Métis artist blends traditional First Nations sounds with her love for contemporary R&B and Hip Hop.

During her acceptance speech at APCMA, Inez acknowledged the challenges that moms face when balancing work and career and encouraged women to follow their dreams. Her husband and mother, who serve double duty as baby sitters while Inez is thrilling audiences on stage, were in the audience to cheer her on.

A highlight of the evening came when Inez was presented with Single of the Year. Inez brought her nine month old son to the podium with her. “It was completely natural for me to bring him with me to accept the award,” says Inez. “He travels everywhere with me.”

NAHO would also like to congratulate 2007 Role Model, radio host and producer Suzette Amaya for winning Best Aboriginal Music Radio Station Program for ThinkNDN Radio on Vancouver Co-op Radio (CFRO) 102.7 FM.

NARMP, a program administered by NAHO, celebrates the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth aged 13 to 30. Lead Your Way, the program’s theme, inspires Aboriginal youth to strive to reach their goals.

Throughout the year, role models will visit First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to share their stories with other Aboriginal youth. They lead by example and touch the hearts of many First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is an Aboriginal non-profit organization that advances the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, families and communities.

Interesting people and social media at #140conf

Twittamentary is a documentary about the effects of Twitter, directed by Singaporean filmmaker Tan Siok Siok and crowd sourced by Twitter'ers worldwide.












I also met Doug Jones. He is such a nice guy and very involved with twitter @actordougjones.

For those of you who can't place the name, he's "the man behind the mask of characters such as 'Abe Sapien' (Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army), 'Pan' and the terrifying 'Pale Man' from the multi-Oscar-winning Pan's Labyrinth, the legendary 'Silver Surfer' in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and he has a movie coming out soon."

You simply cannot have a conference at the Kodak Theatre without some complementary messaging. All of the staff at Kodak we're really great and their presence in social media is impressive. I learned alot from the Photography panel. Thanks Kodak team for working with Jeff Pulver to host such an informative and engaging event.

Met the Creator of the #140conf

Here I am at the Kodak Theatre at Jeff Pulver’s 140 Characters Conference! (#140conf) with Jeff Pulver himself.

Dinner with Public Health Messaging Panelists

I went to loteria for dinner with two of the Public Health Messaging Panelists, L: Beverly Robertson of the March of Dimes, Marc Sirkin from Autism Speaks and R: our new friend Roberta Romero from LA.

Getting excited about our presentation tomorrow at the #140conf.

I'm in the Cast of Characters at #140conf

Stay tuned for updates on how my presentation at the 140 Characters Conference went in LA. I'll be presenting on how NAHO uses social media to promote our message and how Twitter has helped us to spread the word.

Here I am with Jeffrey Hayzlett, Chief Marketing Officer for Kodak at the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles.

Song written for the missing and murdered Aboriginal women of Canada hits # 25 on the music charts

Vancouver, BC – I Pray, a song written for the missing and murdered Aboriginal women of Canada, is quickly climbing the music charts on NCI’s Aboriginal top 30 countdown in Canada.

The song I Pray, is from the CD entitled Colours Of My Life produced by the KETA Society to promote the concept of “LOVE” towards the missing and/or murdered Aboriginal women of Canada.

I Pray, written by Juno nominee and CAMA award winning lap slide guitarist Jason Burnstick, has moved up five spots to number 25 since its débute on NCI FM in just three weeks.

“I wrote these songs for all the amazing women in my life, but I would like to dedicate this song to Rose Marie Plante, my number one fan” says Jason Burnstick, Cree musician and composer. “I have some very special women in my life who are very strong and beautiful. They have inspired me and stood by me when I needed it the most. Colours Of My Life is an opportunity to give back to the community.”

Colours Of My Life includes 10 songs completed for this project by well-known Aboriginal artists who have generously shared their talent to help reclaim the missing and/or murdered Aboriginal women of Canada as part of the greater community.

“KETA is very thankful to Jason Burnstick and all of the artists who participated in this project,” says Gloria Larocque, President of the KETA Society. “They have definitely helped to strengthen awareness that Aboriginal people have a strong, rich, diverse culture.”

This initiative is part of an ongoing project to raise awareness of the issue of the missing and/or murdered Aboriginal women of Canada. This CD includes original songs completed by artists: Jason Burnstick, Tewanee Joseph, Stephanie Harpe and W.T.Goodspirit. In addition, Don Amero donated one of his tracks from the CD Deepening entitled Life Gets Better.

Each artist brings their own interpretation of love and acceptance for the missing and/or murdered Aboriginal women of Canada. They bring their own special message to the families. In this manner, showing love and support through song is one tiny step towards letting the individuals and families of these women know they are not alone.

“We know there are more than 520 missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in this country,” asserts Larocque. “The Colours Of My Life CD is meant to project a ray of light for the loved ones so deeply impacted by this serious issue.”

All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go towards promoting awareness of the issue of the missing and/or murdered Aboriginal women of Canada and goes back to the KETA Society for future initiatives.

The Kookum Educating Traditional Acceptance (KETA) Society was incorporated on August 24, 2005 to acknowledge and raise awareness of the issue of the missing and murdered Aboriginal women of Canada and to promote a variety of educational initiatives in order to instill stronger awareness that Aboriginal people have a strong, rich, diverse culture.

*Kookum is the Cree word for 'Grandmother, and the Society name was chosen in order to express the need for grassroots education of native culture and traditions.

Media Inquiries
Gloria Larocque, KETA President
Ph: (604) 710-4900
Email: glarock@gmail.com

http://www.keta.ca/

To hear samples of the songs and artists bios visit www.myspace.com/ketasociety.

NAHO hosts event to bring awareness to OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network

There is an immediate need to increase ethnic representation so that Aboriginal patients can have a second chance at life by finding a matching stem cell donor.

Join NAHO and Jennifer Philippe, Director OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1400, Ottawa, ON

Please R.S.V.P. via email to Steve Vanloffeld

For more info >>