Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 07/00) - Having a hand in combatting racism has helped propel a Yellowknife resident to an upcoming symposium at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Janet Wong, along with her sister Helen, were notified of their selection into the global children's program called Millennium Dreamers recently, and took part in a special ceremony in their honour late last month at McDonald's.

Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew spoke during the ceremony.

"I'm just thrilled for both of you. You're great role models," said Blondin-Andrew, who is also secretary of state for children and youth.

"We hear a lot about kids, and we need to hear the good things you're doing."

The Millennium Dreamers program is put on by Disney and McDonald's and honours young people making a difference in their communities. Janet received recognition for entering the national Stop Racism Youth Challenge.

"We painted this huge wall in the lobby of the YWCA building," Janet explained after the ceremony.

She said people could put their hand on the wall, "to show they were against racism and they supported our message."

Janet also volunteers with Students Against Drunk Driving, Run for the Cure and the Terry Fox Run.

Helen has raised the highest amount of money in her class each of the last three years in her school's UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) fund-raising drive.

Helen has been to Disneyland twice before but looks forward to going again. She especially wants to see the Animal Kingdom, which she has yet to experience.

Janet and Helen, along with James Wong and Christine Sieu, will join the other Millennium Dreamers (there will be a total of 2,000) at a special recognition ceremony. The dreamers will take part in an interactive symposium May 8-10 at the Disney Institute, entitled Kids Inspiring Kids for a Better Tomorrow.

Janet looks forward to the trip.

"It will be really interesting to find out what all the other kids did," she said.

"I may come out with ideas for this community as well."