At just 18 years old, Nevaeh Pine has already made a significant impact on her community - and beyond.
As a student at White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School, she has become a powerful voice for Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
Her dedication to raising awareness about critical issues such as missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people (MMIWG2S) has earned her this year’s Young Leader Award.
"I was incredibly surprised and deeply honoured to be nominated for the Young Leader category," Pine said reflecting on her win.
In 2023, Pine took home first place in a national speaking competition after finishing second the previous year.
Her winning speech centred on the Every Child Matters movement which aims to educate the public about the unmarked graves of children at former residential school sites.
Pine’s commitment to shedding light on the tragedies faced by Indigenous communities has resonated with many, highlighting her deep sense of justice and advocacy at such a young age.
"Winning this award is important to me because I hope to inspire future generations to continue speaking up in the face of injustice. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that history does not keep repeating itself," she said, emphasizing her drive to be a voice for change.
In addition to her second-place finish in the 2022 Speaker’s Idol, hosted by the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, Pine also claimed first place in a provincial speaking competition hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion in Niagara Falls in 2019.
Her speaking skills have continually evolved, helping her use her platform to advocate for human rights and Indigenous issues.
Pine’s leadership extends beyond public speaking.
She organized a school-wide assembly at White Pines, featuring drummers, guest speakers and the distribution of MMIWG2S signage along the highway.
In 2022, she arranged a special event at her high school to further raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people.
She reflected on attending the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials, saying, "I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the national gathering on unmarked burials. It was an incredibly moving experience and I felt deeply honoured to be in their presence."
While advocating for human rights, Pine’s efforts attracted the attention of a documentary film crew that followed her journey for the series “Warrior Up! “ which aired on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) this past spring.
Her work, even as a teenager, continues to inspire those around her and bring attention to issues that are often overlooked.
“I hope to continue learning and growing in my culture while pursuing my studies at Algoma University. I aspire to study Human Rights Law and make a meaningful impact in this field," she shared.
"I want to say Chi Miigwetch to the people who nominated me and to everyone who has supported me, uplifted my voice and given me the opportunity to be present,” stated Pine. “To all the Residential School survivors, thank you. Without your resilience, I wouldn’t have the privilege of knowing the beauty and strength of our culture."
The Young Leader Award goes to an individual or group, under 25 years of age, actively involved in community service in any one of the Community Builders categories. Recipients, like Nevaeh, show a commitment to making their community better for others.
Congratulations, Nevaeh!
This award is proudly sponsored by Northern Credit Union.
