The Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund

December 11, 2024 (Millbrook, NS) – The Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Nikanus Red Dress Leadership Award which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in sport, culture, and community. This prestigious honor is awarded annually and is open to Indigenous youth aged 15–25 who identify as an Indigenous women or girl and reside or are studying within Atlantic Canada. 

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Selected from a competitive pool of submissions, the four awardees represent the next generation of Indigenous leaders in Atlantic Canada. They were chosen for their inspiring stories, contributions to their communities, and their ability to connect culture, sport, and leadership in meaningful ways.

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The 2024 award recipients are:

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• Chelsey Arsenault, Elsipogtog First Nation (NB)

• Kylie Francis, Elsipogtog First Nation (NB)

• Desiree Isaac-Pictou, Ugpi’Ganjig First Nation (NB)

• Neylan Stevens, Eskasoni First Nation (NS)​

 

"Chelsey, Desiree, Kylie and Neylan truly embody the spirit and meaning of the Nikanus Red Dress Leadership Award," said Jana Headrick, the award's inspiration and a former UNB Reds women’s hockey player. "Through their dedication to sport, culture, and community, they exemplify the strength, and resilience of Indigenous youth. Their stories inspire us all and create pathways for future generations of Indigenous girls to follow."

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About the Nikanus Red Dress Leadership Award

 

The Nikanus Red Dress Leadership Award was established as part of the legacy of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), hosted in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and surrounding areas. “Nikanus” (nig-ah-noos) means “youth ambassador” in Mi’kmaq, reflecting the award's mission to empower Indigenous youth to lead and inspire others. The award recognizes the important role sport and culture play in fostering identity, leadership, and connection among Indigenous youth. Each recipient is awarded $1,027, a nod to Jana Headrick’s jersey number 27, to be used for educational purposes.

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“The work that the Nikanus Red Dress Leadership Award recipients have shown is truly admirable” reflects Lily-Beth Fisher, who was a participant of the Youth Ambassador Program at 2023 North American Indigenous Games. “I look up to their hard work and dedication. Their commitment to creating a safer and more welcoming community for Mi’kma’ki embodies the legacy of NAIG and we are proud to support these inspiring individuals through this award.”

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Meet the 2024 Recipients

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• Chelsey Arsenault, Elsipogtog First Nation (NB): Chelsey is in her second year at Dalhousie University pursuing her Bachelor of Medical Science. She grew up a Jingle dancer, participating in various powwows and currently supports the planning of Dalhousie’s annual Mawiomi. She played elite soccer growing up and has volunteered and worked in many activities that support her community. Her grandmother founded the Gignoo Transition House, and her professional goals include returning to work for the transition house as a medical professional to provide necessary services in a holistic manner. Her leadership demonstrates the positive influence of culture and sport in creating pathways for future generations.​

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• Kylie Francis, Elsipogtog First Nation (NB): Kylie is active in her community of Elsipogtog First Nation, creating meaningful opportunities for others through sport, recreation, and physical activity. Kylie represented Team Atlantic at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships for several years and has served in coaching roles with the program starting in 2019, including her first year as head coach this past May. In her community, she has created Indigenous specific hockey development, “First Shift” programs, and was instrumental in the creation of the Elsipogtog Junior C Hawks. Additionally, Kylie organized a senior women’s hockey team, the Atlantic Lady Hawks, who competed in the 2024 Fred Saskamoose “Chief Thunderstick” National Indigenous Hockey Championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Kylie is also deeply connected to her Mi’kmaw culture and devotes her life to ceremony, learning, teaching, and healing. "This recognition inspires me to continue working towards creating inclusive spaces where women and girls can thrive and connect through shared passions and values," she shared.

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• Desiree Isaac-Pictou, Ugpi’Ganjig First Nation (NB): Desiree grew up a multi-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, and other sports within her home community of Ugpi’Ganjig First Nation. She represented Team New Brunswick in volleyball at both the 2014 and 2017 North American Indigenous Games. After an accident in 2021 which resulted in multiple fractures and two leg amputations, Desiree was introduced to adaptive sports as a part of her rehabilitation. In this short time, Desiree has worked herself all the way to the women’s national team, representing Team Canada at different stages including the Parapan American Games and most recently the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. She embraces the platform sport has given her and uses her voice powerfully as a role model for Indigenous women and youth and those with disabilities. "[This award] is a reminder of the responsibility I have to inspire and uplift young Indigenous women and people living with disabilities across our nation," she said.​

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• Neylan Stevens, Eskasoni First Nation (NS): Neylan is a former North American Indigenous Games athlete, competing in swimming at the 2017 games hosted in Toronto. Her primary activity is dance, which she has been doing since the age of two. Dance has provided her many valuable experiences, including the opportunity to perform in the show “Samqwan” at both the Highland Arts Theatre and Neptune Theatre, in addition to performing at the 2023 Canada Winter Games hosted on Prince Edward Island. As a youth she was also a participant in the Unama’ki Surf Program and during her studies at Cape Breton University (CBU), she went onto co-author a research article titled “It’s not really about the surf, Exploring Mi’kmaw perspectives of the Unama’ki Surf Program”. She has since graduated from CBU and is in her first year of law school at Dalhousie University.  Neylan is committed to using her education to support her Mi’kmaw community. "This scholarship will help me as a first-year law school student and my journey toward becoming a future Mi'kmaw lawyer," she explained.​

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Building a Legacy of Leadership

 

The Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, founded in 2022 through the Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation, was created by Ryan Francis of Acadia First Nation in memory of his grandmother, Genevieve Francis. The fund supports sport, recreation, and leadership opportunities for Indigenous women and girls in Atlantic Canada.

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This year's award was made possible through the generosity of Dan and Dorothy Gibson. They shared their excitement of being involved:

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"We are inspired by the work of the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund and are grateful to support the four outstanding receipts of this year's Nikanus Red Dress Leadership Award. Chelsey, Desiree, Kylie, and Neylan are wonderful examples of the importance that sport, culture, and community has in helping shape a better society for us all. We celebrate these remarkable individuals and all future leaders striving to make positive change in their community."