Iqaluit (Apr 03/06) - For the three stand-up Nunavummiut youth granted role model status by the National Aboriginal Health Organization, being a role model means a mirage of things.

Ashley Paniyuk-Dean, 22, originally from Rankin Inlet is now enroled in the Teachers Education Program in Iqaluit. She was honoured a National Aboriginal Role Model in Ottawa March 20. - photo courtesy of the National Aboriginal Health Organization

Michael Putulik, 19, lives in Repulse Bay. He's a die-hard badminton player and self-taught musician. He volunteers at school and is an army cadet. All this while maintaining a 90 per cent average in his studies.

But when he talks of being a role model, promoting heritage is the first thing out of his mouth.

"A role model is someone younger kids look up to and is someone who respects elders, animals and the land. Most importantly, they know their culture. Aboriginal people have to keep their culture," said Putulik.

Spending the summer hunting, Putulik often has a trail of kids at his heels.

"Even though I am young, I teach them what my grandpa taught me about how to skin a caribou and traditional hunting techniques."

For Ashley Paniyuk-Dean, a 22-year-old Nunavut teacher's education program student, Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduate and Miss Nunavut 2004, being a role model means something different.

"It's a chance to promote a healthy way of living, education, and give hope for children and inspire them," she said.

Paniyuk-Dean, from Rankin Inlet, gives props to the creation of the Nunavut territory as her inspiration to help others.

"When the territory was created, more opportunities have become available to youth and Inuit and those opportunities have inspired me to do my best to take advantage of them." Paniyuk-Dean listed education, sports and extra-curricular activities as examples of these opportunities.

Up in Pond Inlet, RCMP officer Kipanik Eegeesiak, 23, has been a strong role model in all the communities he's lived in. While in Arctic Bay, he coached youth soccer and was a civilian instructor for Royal Army Cadet Corps. Plus, he's been engaged in an anti-bullying program in both Arctic Bay and now Pond Inlet.

He believes a role model is someone youth or others can trust, relate to and "provide other options."

He believes he was chosen as a role model for "completing high school, going into a career at an early age, being there and showing support and helping people see what options they have."

The role models travel, at the request of communities, to participate in workshops and presentations set to inspire youth to reach their goals.

The National Aboriginal Health Organization, based in Ottawa, works to improve health in Inuit, Metis and First Nations communities.