First Nations Voice

PAGE 8 • AUGUST 2014 Don Burnstick "Creating futures one family at a time!" ea eati ti ti ting fu fu f ture re r s one fa fa f mi mi mily ly l at a ti ti time!" CENTRE FOR ABORIGINAL HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT INC. "Crea ea rea r NT NT NT NTRE RE RE RE FOR OR OR OR NT NTRE RE FOR OR OR OR OR OR ABO BORI OR OR ABORI " CAHRD CE CE CE CE CE CE CENT NT NT NT CE CE CENT CA NC NC. Contactustoday! Bechard, Melissa Beaulieu, Kristofer Beaulieu, Mathew Bird, Brandon Blacksmith, Malcolm Bluebird, Shawna Boyer, Desiree Brennan, Sharon Brown, Amy Bruce, Kaitlin Chambers, Aaron Chief, Shelley Cook, Jordan Cook, Rhianna Fontaine, Dellarose Giesbrecht, Tianna Harper, Harry Harvey, Cassandra Hume, Kelly Katcheconias, Natrina Kelly, Roseanne Kipling, Shynnia Kirton-Houle, Phoenix Letandre, Clinton Malcolm, Dean Maytwayashing, Sophia Mcouat, Shayla Mickidad, Amina Mickidad, Ibrahim Moose, Tammy Mulhbach, Cassandra Myers, Shannon Nirere, Aisha Parenteau, Jordan Parker, Bobbie Jo Pearce, Megan Pereira, Dylan Peters, Jamie Lee Rae, Ashley Rae, Davisha Rose, Tyler Samim, Fatema Shaban, Amis Sinclair, Amanda V Sinclair, Mary Jane Spence, Lorraine Sumner, Leslie Thomas, Chasity Tobacco, Memoree Tuesday, Christopher Umutesi, Rehema Wade, Keith Walker, Grace Walstrom, Rick Warren, Stephanie Williams, Darcy Young, Nikki (Ashley) Bechard, Melissa Beau eaulie lieu, Krist istof ofer ofer of B lie the Bruce, K Cham ham hambers ers hief Thom homas as, Cha Chasit sity the Rotunda to start the graduation ceremony www.cahrd.org (204)9897110 "Like"us on Facebook! "Follow"us onTwitter! The Aboriginal Community Campus Graduation was held on Saturday, June 21, 2014 to coincide with National Aboriginal Day. Tears and laughter were shared throughout the ceremony as special proud recipients. Darcy Williams and Amanda V. Sinclair were this year's selected valedictorians and provided words of inspiration to their fellow graduates. Also in attendance was Cheryl McKenzie, a host/producer for APTN, who gave an address to the graduates to inspire and encourage them in their future endeavours. We would like to thank the dignitaries, family, and friends that all came out to support this year's and volunteers that made this special event such a success! Congratulations 2014 Graduates 2014 Graduates Ron Lemieux MLAforDawsonTrail 204-878-4644 Ron-Lemieux.ca Dave Chomiak MLA for Kildonan 204-334-5060 DaveChomiak.ca Nancy Allan MLA for St. Vital 204-237-8771 NancyAllan.ca Peter Bjornson MLA for Gimli 204-642-4977 1-866-253-0255 PeterBjornson.ca Greg Selinger MLA for St. Boniface Premier of Manitoba 204-237-9247 GregSelinger.ca Eric Robinson MLA for Kewatinook 204-943-2274 Eric-Robinson.ca Proudlystandingwith FirstNationsfamilies Diana Desjardins is a singer with a story to tell, and the voice to tell it with. And even though she's been making music her whole life, in many ways, it's like she's only just begun. Diana's musical journey began as a young girl at family kitchen parties in Dauphin, Manitoba, with songs from country legends like Hank Williams, George Jones, Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline. While just about everyone in her large French-Canadian family played some kind of instrument, her fondest memories are of her grandfather, who played old time fiddle, and her father, who played guitar and sang. Sadly, when Diana was only 10, tragedy struck her family. She lost her father, but not before he instilled in her a lifelong love for music. Diana was awarded the New Talent Bursary Award when she first broke into the scene in the late 1990's, and was also nominated Female Vocalist of the Year by the Manitoba Association of Country Arts. She fulfilled her dream of becoming a songwriter, with the first song she ever wrote called Heaven's Gate, written about the loss of her father. She made many trips to Nashville, showcased for record labels, and recorded her first music video. At the same time, she spent ten years working as a children's entertainer in the musical juggling duo Uncle Dans' Kids World. When Diana retreated from the industry to focus on raising a family, she performed as lead vocalist in some of Winnipeg's most successful cover bands. With an ability to tackle powerhouse songs by Carrie Underwood, deliver the sassy attitude of Miranda Lambert, and sing the sultry vocals of Shania Twain, Diana captures audiences wherever she performs. In April 2012, Diana finally got to experience her long-sought dream of recording and releasing an album of her own. Her debut, Pieces of Me, is a collection of songs that share her story, and reveals the depth of her inner spirit and diversity as an artist. It was the first time in over a decade that Diana journeyed back to her heart and soul of original material, and includes Heaven's Gate, the tribute to her father written so long ago. It also includes the song I'm A Fool, first released as a single in the late 90's, when it garnered radio play across Canada and in Europe. Another track, called Cause I Love You (Nikita's song), was written for her daughter. Making her own music is a place Diana loves, and is grateful to come back to. Because now that she's found her voice, she's got many more stories to tell. And really, has only just begun. RoseAnna Schick, RAS Creative ENTERTAINMENT

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