2020-2021 Indigenous Student Trustee
We are proud to announce the first-ever Indigenous Student Trustee, Ashton Wood from Huron Heights Secondary School.
My name is Ashton Wood. I am a Grade 11 student at Huron Heights Secondary School.
I am excited to be the YRDSB's First Indigenous Student Trustee for the 2020-2021 school year. My advocacy for Indigenous rights and humanities began in Grade 8, focusing on The Residential School Experience. I attended a conference on May 5, 2020 held by the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Cultural Resource Center. The conference was held to raise awareness and advocacy for the MMIWG.
I joined the FNMI Program in Grade 2, where I have had many opportunities to learn and support my culture. I look forward to sharing my teachings and knowledge with the Indigenous student body.
During the summers of 2011-2013, I participated in Lake Simcoe's Splash Floating Water Festival, The Fantastic Forest Experience, The Purple Turtle Artisans Festival and Moonapalooza, a Moon festival held on the shores of Lake Simcoe by The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations.
I have been an Ambassador for the Hospital for Sick Children since 2018 and speak at Campaign Events. I attend a Dance Academy in Newmarket, where I am a multi-disciplined dancer. I am an Indigenous artist rendering with both beading and acrylic. I am currently learning ASL and have a video featured in the New York Broadway production of “Dear Evan Hansen”. I enjoy Tik Tok (ashylee1) and have gone worldwide with my Indigenous video platform. I look forward to supporting the Indigenous students of York Region and will provide their voice to the York Region District School Board.
Contact: ashton.l.wood@yrdsb.ca