STUDENT
NATION: Barren Lands First Nation
SCHOOLS: West Lynn Heights
TOWN: Lynn Lake, Manitoba
Keyra is a 14-year-old student at West Lynn Heights School in Lynn Lake who brings confidence, humour, and determination to everything she does. She describes herself as cool and kind and takes pride in where she comes from. Living in a small, remote community in northern Manitoba, she wants others to understand that Lynn Lake is made up of good people, and that this strong sense of community is what makes it special.
Keyra is also a dedicated and motivated athlete who is already achieving success. She plays many sports, including volleyball and badminton, and recently placed in the top 20 at provincials in badminton. She speaks about this achievement with determination and confidence, setting her sights on reaching the top 10 next year. With more practice, she said she is “gonna get gritty,” reflecting her strong work ethic.
“Keyra has shown huge growth over her three years participating in Spirit North programs. She leads with passion and is an incredible athlete. Keyra has become a role model to other youth transitioning into high school.”
Her commitment to sports is a big part of her life. She looks forward to volleyball and badminton seasons and enjoys staying active in her community. In the summer, she swims and spends time outdoors, and throughout the year she stays connected through sports and time with friends. Keyra sees herself continuing to stay involved in sports in the future. When asked what job she would choose for a day, she said she would be a physical education teacher or a volleyball coach.
In her community, Keyra values time spent together. She described her ideal day as being outside with family and friends at a barbecue or a powwow, sharing food and conversation. When reflecting on her time with Spirit North, Keyra spoke about the joy of being active and spending time with others. She described her favourite moments as “all of them,” and shared that she especially enjoys playing games together. One of her favourite games is “food and water,” where students hide behind mats, and she laughed about how funny it is when they fall over. These moments of fun and connection stand out as meaningful parts of her school experience.