Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Dec 19/01) - Ashley Dean of Rankin Inlet is one of 13 recipients of the $3,000 Prince of Wales Community Leader Scholarship. The awards ceremony was held in Ottawa on Dec. 5.

The scholarship was created in honour of the Prince of Wales' visit to Canada during the International Year of Volunteers (2001).

The award recognizes one Canadian youth in every province and territory for outstanding volunteer service and contribution to their community.

Dean, 18, says she was surprised, even stunned, to find out she was named as a winner.

She says it means a lot to her to have her volunteer work recognized with an award such as this.

"Donald (Alaittuq High principal Clark) called me last month and told me he wanted to nominate me for the scholarship," informs Dean.

"I was really happy he was so kind in thinking of me and nominating me for this scholarship. I was really honoured."

Dean says she's always felt the urge to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.

She says you learn to appreciate being involved with worthwhile activities when you spend time in an area that doesn't offer youth much to do.

"When I was a little kid living in Pond Inlet there weren't too many activities going on and I always wanted to get involved in something."

"When my family moved to Iqaluit and then to Rankin Inlet, there were more and more opportunities and different events going on and I was attracted to all of them," he says.

"I wanted to take advantage of as many different experiences as I could."

Dean is enrolled in the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa and has future aspirations of becoming a teacher.

"After my Nunavut Sivuniksavut program, I want to continue my schooling in Ottawa, either at Ottawa or Carleton University or Algonquin College. I'm also looking at possibly taking Native Studies and doing some travelling before continuing my studies to become a teacher."