She’s just a hardworking kid from Thunder Bay, but to the prime minister, Riley Yesno is a rising star.
How a Grade 12 student is helping the Prime Minister give a voice to our indigenous people
She’s just a hardworking kid from Thunder Bay, but to the prime minister, Riley Yesno is a rising star.
The 17-year-old was the latest appointment to the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, a group of 16 – 24 year olds committed to raising and dealing with issues important to Canadians. Yesno is the only representative from Northwestern Ontario and is also a member of Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope), located about 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
“It’s just an incredible opportunity to speak directly with cabinet ministers,” Yesno said. “It’s an honour to be the council’s only representative from Northwestern Ontario.”
Dedicated to the issues that matter most, Yesno will serve two terms offering advice to the prime minister himself.
Her goal? Help encourage reconciliation between indigenous and non-aboriginal people.
In her final year of study at St. Patrick Catholic High School, she is learning to use her young voice to advocate for the underrepresented and marginalized.
More than 25,000 Canadians applied to sit on the council, completing three rounds of applications to secure a spot.
Our students give back to their communities, in any way they can. They reach for the top, strive to fulfill their mission and make an exceptional impact.
Join others today and strengthen Catholic education by sharing this story now.
Together, we are building communities of faith.
