Isabella Roussin

Age: 17
School: Grade 12 student at École McTavish Junior High School for School Year 2020/2021
Future Goal: To pursue a career in medical forensics

Written by Mira Patel, MACOY

Isabella Roussin loves going to Aboriginal celebrations and working on projects related to her heritage. She’s also engaged in learning more about her elders’ language, Cree, which she is taught by her grandmother.

Isabella believes that being Aboriginal makes her unique and she culturally enriches her life through making and sharing bannock with her family and friends or crafting a traditional drum.

She has spent time on the Indigenous Student Advisory Committee (SAC) for the Fort McMurray Public School Division and continues to play a role on the SAC for the FMPSD with a goal to improve education for themselves and for future students.

In her academics, she has excelled by being in the top 10 percent of her classes and continuously strives to learn and excel academically. She is a role model, polite to others and her kind qualities are evident in the way she thanks her teachers after every class.

When not at school, Isabella enjoys spending time with her loved ones, who view her as a light-hearted and kind person. She also balances a part-time job at Landmark Cinemas and for fun takes part in extracurricular activities like Glee and boxing.

Isabella said she loves being part of both programs but boxing is one of her most favoured because it allows her to switch focus and get motivated. She encourages others to take part.

“Boxing is great for self-defense and is an incredible physical and mental activity to pursue,” she said.

In the community, Isabella volunteers to help her brother’s MacIsland Festival Dance team by organizing and sorting items throughout the duration of the program. Serving lunch at the Soup Kitchen is also a pastime she helps out with.

Isabella is a ‘safe place’ in her peer group in class and advocates for others. As a member of the Student Activity Council (SAC), Isabella shared her opinion, collected information, and provided suggestions with other young Indigenous students across the district.

Isabella and the SAC have begun to meet their goals and, as a result, have recently been nominated for a Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Citizen Recognition Award for their contributions in education and community.

“I hope to show others that working hard and striving for greatness pays off.”

— Isabella Roussin

About the author

YMM Parent Team

YMM Parent Team is a collaboration of authors and contributors from in and around Fort McMurray.