Goulais a GEN7 Messenger!

In early November of 2011, Stonecircle’s own Kory Goulais submitted an application to become a Gen7 messenger. Earlier this month he was accepted into the program as one of their role models. After a long wait period, an interview and countless e-mails to the program coordinator, they finally gave in. Perseverance pays off; mainly because Kory has dedicated most of his life to sport and is actually a pretty good guy.

Now, I know what you are asking yourself, is Kory leaving Stonecircle? The answer is NO! If he tried, we probably wouldn’t let him (we have him locked up through one of our iron clad contracts). More realistically, you are probably asking what the GEN7 program is.

The GEN7 Messenger program was created in 2004 as an extension of the Esteem Team program. Motivate Canada, in collaboration with the Active Circle developed the GEN7 role model program in 2005. The program aims to encourage Aboriginal youth to live, and encourage others to live, an active and healthy lifestyle through sport, physical activity and other means. In addition, it pushes youth to become leaders in their own community.

GEN7 Messengers are Aboriginal athletes and role models who are trained by Motivate Canada in public speaking and facilitation. Once training occurs and the messenger is ready, they are paired with an Aboriginal community to act as a role model and motivator for the community. The Messenger (Kory) visits a community repeatedly, and listens and learns to identify areas of community interest for development and connections with youth, Elders and other community leaders.

GEN7 Messengers leave their lasting impression on the youth they speak with and assist them in taking the lead on tackling community issues and improving lives of individuals around them.

Congratulations Kory!