1. The trip of a lifetime: GEN7 Messenger Mike Auksi talks about gaining perspective in Estonia

    Here’s a little closure for some of my Estonian Blogs:

    “I have just returned from Saskatoon at the 2011 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. My role was as the Off-Ice Coordinator with Team Ontario.
    First off, I have to give credit to the young men. I’ve never seen a group play so hard, so smart and with so much courage. For 12 skaters and 3 goalies, to play 4 full 60 minute games in the first 2 days is unheard of!
    Furthermore, they played 7 full games in 5 days! After losing to Team Manitoba in the round robin, the young men fought back from down 3-2 to win
    6-3 in the bronze medal game!

    Just to share with you all, my time in Estonia was so precious and life-changing. I was ultimately ruled ineligible to play in the World Hockey Championship, but was told from the national team to play some games in the Estonian Pro League this season and come back in 2012. Sadly, the team was relegated in the games in Ukraine, but the climb to Division 1 begins again! I had so much fun in Estonia from the capital of Tallinn where my mother was born to Tartu where the training camp was held. I met cousins and aunts and uncles for the first time, all with open arms. I was away for 3 weeks last month, I’m very tired, but I’d do it all over again.
    I feel so fortunate to be a role model, an athlete, a friend to all and a thankful son to two very loving parents.”

  2. Participating in ACTIVATE Three Years in a Row

    —By Emily Rowell

    2009, 2010, 2011 … three years of my life that I was very fortunate to be part of ACTIVATE Youth Leadership Conference. This forum has changed my life. This is NOT an exaggeration. It’s just the truth.

    There will be some among you that surely will say, I am sure that some of you will say, that a week-long forum that I’ve attended it three years in a row, cannot change a person’s life. To you I say—you’re sceptical and you have never experienced ACTIVATE. By now, you’ve missed the deadline for registering for the 2011 ACTIVATE Forum, but I encourage you to try again next year, and now I will tell you my story.

    2009: I was a girl who felt all alone in the world with my dreams. BAM! Enter ACTIVATE like a knight in shining armour. I attended the forum as a delegate, 5 days later and I would never again be that girl lost in world. I went home with a fervent desire to effect a change in my community. My project activate my community was to be a rugby coach for the eighth graders at my school. In light of the skills I learned at ACTIVATE, I was still able to stay involved in the rugby world, despite being injured and unable to play at provincials for my own rugby team.

    Yet ACTIVATE 2009 was not the end of my involvement. I joined Motivate Canada’s Communications team and it has helped me to keep in touch with the wonderful staff at Motivate Canada’s headquarters in Ottawa.

    2010: I was delighted to be chosen to be part of the team of volunteers to organize the ACTIVATE 2010 Leadership Forum. I learned a lot during the months of work: I called strangers all across the country and I searched all delegates on Facebook (not easy for me I swear), there was lots of work to do but our team worked well together and the results were great. To see all of your hard work realized is truly unforgettable. For me, the joy of the ACTIVATE Forum 2010 was the best gift after all the months of hard work. I always stay in touch with my other ACTIVATORS and enlarge my network of friends. Now I have a person with whom I could stay in touch with each province and territory, that’s a success!

    ACTIVATE 2010—still, I wanted to return. Fortunately MC decided to create a new position: chief of the volunteer team. The needed someone who had experience with the forum and could help ACTIVATE again and give expertise to new volunteers.

    2011: You may be asking yourselves is this girl ever tired of ACTIVATE? No, I’m not, and I’m not finished yet. This year I am one of two leaders of the volunteer team. We are currently organizing the forum at the same time. We send emails, we support each other and we are working hard to create a great experience for 2011 delegates. If you’re one of those delegates and you’re reading this, I congratulate you and I really look forward to meeting you in May. If you are not a delegate, I ask this question: do you want to change the world or do you expect that someone does it for you? Even if you are not a delegate in 2011 myself and other volunteers are delighted to hear from you. You can reach us at activatevolunteers@gmail.com and you can follow our blog for encouragement http://activatevolunteers.blogspot.com/weeklies. Go ahead! Woohoo!

  3. ACTIVEZ-Trois années de suite

    2009, 2010, 2011…trois années de ma vie où j’ai eu la grande chance de pouvoir participer à ACTIVEZ. Ce forum m’a changé la vie. Ce n’est PAS une exagération. C’est simplement la vérité.

    Il y en a entre vous sûrement qui diront qu’un forum d’une semaine, même si je l’ai vécue trois fois, ne peut pas changer la vie d’une personne. Vous, vous êtes des sceptiques et vous n’avez jamais vécu ACTIVEZ. Vous avez manqué la date limite pour l’inscription au forum 2011, mais je vous encourage d’essayer l’année prochaine, et maintenant j’aimerais vous raconter mon histoire.

    2009 : une petite qui ne se sentait toute seule dans le monde avec ses rêves. BAM! Entre ACTIVEZ comme un chevalier en armure brillant. J’ai participé au forum comme délégué, 5 jours et je ne serais jamais la petite perdue dans la grandeur du monde encore. Je suis rentré chez moi avec un désir fervent d’effectuer un changement dans ma communauté. Mon projet pour activez mon communauté était d’être entraineur pour l’équipe de rugby des huitièmes années à mon école. À cause du fait qu’ACTIVEZ m’avez équipé pour pouvoir effectuer un tel projet quand je me suis blessée aux provinciales de la lutte et je ne pouvais pas jouer pour mon propre équipe de rugby, j’avais quand même un moyen d’être impliquer dans le monde de rugby.

    ACTIVEZ 2009 n’était pas la fin pour moi évidemment. Je suis devenue membre de l’équipe de communication de Motivate Canada (MC) et cela me permet de me garder en contact avec le personnel merveilleux au bureau central en Ottawa.

    2010 : J’étais ravie d’être choisie de faire partie de l’équipe des bénévoles pour organiser le forum d’ACTIVEZ 2010. J’ai beaucoup appris pendant les mois de travail : j’ai téléphoné des inconnus à travers le pays et j’ai cherché tous les délégués sur Facebook (pas facile pour moi je vous jure), il y avait tant de travail à faire mais notre équipe a travaillé bien ensemble et le résultat était formidable. Voir réaliser votre travail c’est vraiment inoubliable. Pour moi, la joie des ACTIVATEURs du forum 2010 c’était le meilleur cadeau après toutes les mois. Je reste toujours en contact avec mes coqueluches et mon réseau d’amis agrandissent. J’ai une personne avec laquelle je pourrais rester en chaque province et chaque territoire, ça c’est une véritable réussite!

    ACTIVEZ 2010-encore, je voulais retourner. Heureusement MC a décidé de créer une nouvelle position : le chef de l’équipe des bénévoles. Quelqu’un qui avait déjà organiser un forum d’ACTIVEZ qui aiderait encore une fois et donnerait de l’expertise aux nouveaux bénévoles.

    2011 : Vous vous demandez : cette fille-elle ne fatigue jamais ou quoi? Non, je n’ai pas encore fini avec ACTIVEZ. Cette année je suis un des deux chefs de l’équipe des bénévoles. On est en train d’organiser le forum en ce moment-même. On s’envoie des courriels, on se soutient et on se téléphone pour pouvoir créer une expérience formidable pour les délégués de 2011. Si vous êtes un de ces délégués et vous êtes en train de lire ceci, je vous félicite et j’ai vraiment hâte de vous rencontrer en mai. Si vous n’êtes pas un délégué, je vous pose cette question : voulez-vous changer le monde ou attendre à ce que quelqu’un le fait pour vous? Même si vous n’êtes pas un délégué de 2011, moi et les autres bénévoles seront ravies d’entendre de vos nouvelles. Vous pouvez nous atteindre à activatevolunteers@gmail.com et vous pouvez suivre notre blogue http://activatevolunteers.blogspot.com/ pour les encouragements hebdos. Allez-y! Woohoo!

    — Emily Rowell

  4. Practice makes perfect for GEN7 Messenger Michael Auksi

    Ojibway-Estonian Michael Mahkwa Auksi is a Hockey player and GEN7 Messenger with Motivate Canada. Currently, he’s practicing to qualify for Team Estonia.
    .
    April 9, 2011

    I want to chat a bit about my time thus far in Estonia…my teammates are unbelievably cool…it’s not easy to work a 9th defenseman into drills, especially when he has his eyes on your spot. Same goes for the management & coaches. Everyone has been super to me! Haven’t seen many sights outside of the airport in Tallinn, the rink in Tartu, my hotel and the gym. The hotel has good food…lots of pasta, chicken, tomato and beef soup, nice Estonian bread and a variety of deserts…no matter what happens in the next week, I am having the time of my life and I love myself for having the guts to follow my dreams…miss you all:)

    April 10, 2011

    Estonia: Day 5

    Well…just got off the ice…its very frustrating being at the bottom of the depth chart most likely due to eligibility question marks…I guess I’m used to being the underdog in hockey, so I’m well equipped to do my job and find a way…two ice sessions tomorrow….and game Tues…going to be huge…thank goodness tonight wasn’t another 10pm practice…but I’m glad the figure skating competition was fun for the past two nights:)

    I flew Tuesday, so I’ll just call today Day 5…training camp is tiring…but should I be cleared for the tournament, that will be 10X more tiring! Five explosive games in 6 days/nights…dinner soon…and an early night…gonna need it…so tired…but having so much fun…miss everyone still :P

  5. My Adventure at ACTIVATE →

  6. Fundraising to attend ACTIVATE →

  7. My Favourite Things! →

  8. Fake nails, custom decals and taking risks

    Sometimes I wonder why things are the way they are. Actually, I wonder this frequently, about many things. For example, why do Starbucks go by tall, grande, and venti when the rest of the world seems to do just fine with small, medium and large? Or, why do people wear fake nails when the second you put them on your functional abilities decrease significantly. Today I even wondered why I sent my boss an email about the “promotion meetings”, when I clearly meant our “probation meetings.” Minor detail, I guess. Even as i got out of my car this evening, I wondered why I managed to find a Sunfire with custom decals flaming on the sides of the doors.

    I would love to know why Starbucks name their sizes the way they do, the functional ability of fake nails, the reason why I made such an outrageous spelling error to my boss, and why my car is so noticeable in comparison to the rest of the vehicles on the road.

    Or, maybe I wouldn’t?

    Here’s a thought. In the first years of Starbucks, I’m sure they questioned why they were about to embark on a risky road of uncertainty. I’m sure they were worried that the public wouldn’t be receptive of this change; however, they did it anyways. And then there are fake nails. Sure, sometimes your ability is compromised, however maybe it is that one thing that your ‘evening outfit’ needs to just top it all off. Then comes the email. You’re probably wondering how something good could come out of that. Let’s just say the word “promotion” planted a seed. And then my car! In the beginning I questioned the custom decals; however I took a chance on the car because it had been good for the previous owner, so maybe it could be just the same for me.

    Now, look at where Starbucks is. They are a huge franchise, with incredible success. I guess the unique naming of the sizes wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Or, the fake nails. I currently have some on now, and I can’t seem to stop staring at my hands because they look so lovely! There’s not too much wrong with a boost of self esteem, in my opinion. And then there is my spelling error to my boss. Well, let’s just say that i have an interview on Monday for a permanent position. Lastly, my car! To put it frankly, i have put money into oil changes and that is about all. Can’t complain too much about that.

    What am I trying to say? Take a chance. Do something that you are unsure about. You never know how it may turn out.

    Posted by Becky Molly, ACTIVATE 2010 volunteer

  9. Rêveurs du Canada: Megan Imrie, biathlète

    Megan Imrie, de Falcon Lake, au Manitoba, est ce mois-ci « Reveuse du Canada ». Megan a non seulement participé à la première conférence Activate! en 2004; mais elle a aussi représenté le Canada en biathlon aux Jeux olympiques d’hiver 2010. Plus tôt cette année, Megan et moi avons discuté son expérience.

    RM: Comment avez-vous commencé le biathlon?

    MI: Mes parents étaient des membres actifs d’un club de ski et de biathlon, « les ours du biathlon ». C’était donc une activité tout à fait normale pour moi, depuis que j’avais six ans.

    RM: Que disent les gens quand vous leur dites que vous êtes une biathlète?

    MI: Habituellement, ils disent: « Oh, c’est la natation et le vélo, non? » … Non, ce n’est pas le cas!

    RM: Non, ce serait un triathlon. Dites-nous qu’est-ce que c’est le biathlon.

    MI: Le biathlon est un sport qui combine le ski de fond et l’adresse au tir. C’est très difficile!

    RM: Alors, quel est votre programme d’entraînement?

    MI: Je m’entraîne six ou sept jours par semaine, onze mois de l’année. Je m’entraîne cinq à trente heures par semaine à diverses activités physiques: le roller-ski, la course, le vélo, la force, le ski, etc. Je pratique également le tir.

    RM: Vous avez participé à compétitions internationales. Quel était votre endroit préféré?

    MI: J’ai participé à la Corée du Sud, Khanty-Mansysk, la Russie, et Bled, en Slovénie. Mon endroit préféré était Whistler lors des Jeux olympiques – d’avoir une foule des canadiens qui m’encourager a été incroyable!

    RM: Je ne peux seulement imaginer. Parlez-nous de votre expérience en 2010. Comment était-ce de représenter le Canada?

    MI: Ça a été deux semaines d’énergie, d’émotion, et d’explosion de culture. Représenter le Canada m’a rendu et continue de me rendre très fière. Se promener dans Whistler pendant les cérémonies d’ouverture comme athlète olympique sera quelque chose que je n’oublierai jamais. Un de mes meilleurs souvenirs a été de regarder le match de hockey final dans le village des athlètes de Vancouver avec toute l’équipe canadienne. Lorsque le Canada a marqué, nous avons couru sur le balcon, sur le « BC Place Stadium », où le jeu était joué. Comme toute la ville a éclaté en applaudissements autour de nous, notre chef de mission, Marnie McBean, a déclaré : « Rappelez-vous ce moment. Vous avez tous faits partis des plus grands succès de l’équipe olympique canadienne dans l’histoire. Félicitations. »

    RM: Cela doit avoir été incroyable. Je suis sûre que vous avez l’espoir d’avoir plus d’expériences olympiques. Qu’est-ce que votre plus grand rêve pour l’avenir?

    MI: Je voudrais être sur un podium international dans le biathlon. Les Jeux olympiques en 2014 est aussi quelque chose je vais travailler vers. Outre le sport, je rêve de retourner à l’école, et posséder un jour une cabane sur un lac.

    RM: Que diriez-vous à d’autres personnes qui ont un grand rêve, comme le vôtre, mais qui ne savent pas comment le réaliser?

    MI: Maintenir le rêve avec des rappels, l’inspiration et les objectifs. Travailler à chaque jour vers votre rêve, une étape à la fois. Et à mon avis, c’est finalement le voyage qui compte, alors assurez-vous que vous aimez beaucoup cela!

    Pour en savoir plus sur Megan Imrie, veuillez visitez son site web: http://www.meganimrie.com/.

    Connaissez-vous un canadien ou une canadienne avec un grand rêve? Nommez-le ou la pour notre prochain profil Rêveurs du Canada. Envoyez un email à Ranita à rmanocha (arrobase) alumni (point) uwo (point) ca.

  10. Canadian Dreamers: Megan Imrie, Biathlete

    This month’s Canadian Dreamer is 24-year-old Megan Imrie of Falcon Lake, Manitoba. Megan not only participated in the first Activate! Conference in 2004; she also represented Canada in the biathlon at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. I sat down with Megan earlier this year to talk about her journey as an athlete and big dreamer.

    RM: How did you get involved in biathlon?

    MI: My parents were active members of an after school ski and biathlon club, the Biathlon Bears. So it was a very normal activity for me, from about age six.

    RM: What do people say when you tell them you are a biathlete?

    MI: Usually people say, “Oh, that’s swimming and biking, right?”…. No, it’s not.

    RM: I guess that would be a triathlon. Tell us what a biathlon involves.

    MI: Biathlon combines the gut-busting effort of cross country skiing with the fine motor control of rifle marksmanship. We ski three or five laps of a two to three kilometre course, stopping to shoot at five targets between each lap. It’s like racing up a few flights of stairs and trying to thread a needle five times at the top.

    RM: Sounds intense. What is your training schedule like?

    MI: I train six to seven days a week, eleven months of the year. I do anywhere from five to thirty hours of physical training a week: roller-skiing, running, biking, strength, skiing, et cetera. Plus shooting practice.

    RM: Where is the coolest place you have ever competed?

    MI: I’ve competed in South Korea, Khanty-Mansysk, Russia, and Bled, Slovenia. My favourite was Whistler at the Olympics though - to have a home crowd was amazing.

    RM: I can only imagine. Tell us more about your 2010 experience. What was it like to represent Canada?

    MI: It was two weeks of raw energy, emotion, and culture explosion. It was everything that couldn’t be expected, and a few things that could. Representing Canada was and still does make me incredibly proud. Walking through Whistler during the opening ceremonies as an Olympian will be something I will never forget. One of my highlights was watching the final hockey game in the Vancouver Athletes’ Village with all the Canadian team. When Canada scored, we rushed out onto the balcony, which overlooked B.C. Place, where the game was being played. As the entire city erupted in cheers around us, our Chef de Mission, Marnie McBean, said “Remember this moment. You have all been a part of the most successful Canadian Olympic Team in history. Congratulations.”

    RM: That sounds amazing. I am sure you are hoping to have more Olympic experiences, though. What is your biggest dream for the future?

    MI: I really would love to step on an international podium one day. The Olympics in 2014 is also something I will be working towards. Apart from sport, I dream of going back to school, and someday owning a cabin on a lake.

    RM: What would you say to other people who have a big dream, like yours, but don’t know how to achieve it?

    MI: Keep the dream alive with reminders, inspiration and goals. Take it one step at a time, work towards it daily in some way. And in my opinion, it’s ultimately the journey that counts, so make sure that you love that part of it too!

    To learn more about Megan and to support her Olympic journey, please visit http://www.meganimrie.com/

    .

    Know a Canadian with a big dream? Nominate him or her for our next Canadian Dreamer profile by contacting Ranita at rmanocha (at) alumni (dot) uwo (dot) ca.