Canada's History Youth Committee Members

Basel Alrashdan

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Basel Alrashdan is 15 years old and in grade 10. He loves technology and public speaking, and, in the future, he wants to be an electronic engineer.

The Young Citizens program has helped Basel learn and explore many things that needed to be heard, engage in the community, and learn from other people’s experiences.

Basel wanted to join the Youth Committee program to share his experiences with other young citizens, and learn from them. 

Basel is looking forward to seeing more and more young citizens engage in the Youth Committee, and share everything in mind, and always be aware of what can be done to promote our society.

Asma Bedrouni

Montreal, Quebec

Asma Bedrouni is 15 years old.  She lives with her parents and two brothers in the Greater Montreal, Quebec.  Asma is a Grade 10 student and Head of Junior Tutoring at her school.  She is active in soccer, karate, and badminton.  Asma’s participation in the Heritage Fairs/Young Citizens allowed her to learn more about Sir Frederick Grant Banting, the Canadian medical scientist, physician, painter, and Nobel laureate who discovered the insulin for the treatment of diabetes.  Her decision to join the Youth Committee is motivated by her strong desire to develop new leadership skills, share her experience, and work with other members of the Committee to make recommendations designed to further improve the Heritage Fairs/Young Citizens program.

Emma Cook

Truro, Nova Scotia

Hi, my name is Emma Cook. I’m 14 years old and live in Truro, Nova Scotia. I enjoy competitive swimming, cross country and piano. I also love travelling, volunteering and making a difference in my community. I did my young citizens project on the history of maple syrup production and how it evolved over the years. I am looking forward to contributing to the young citizens program and I hope to inspire others to take part.

Ethan Done

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Hello, my name is Ethan Done and I am a grade 11 student. I am honored to be representing Saskatchewan in Canada's History Youth Committee. When I was 11 years old I first got involved with history by starting a coin collection. Since then I have been honored to attend two provincial heritage fairs. I believe that history is important because by looking at the past you can get a glimpse into the future.

Christine Jean-Julien

Ottawa, Ontario

Hello ! My name is Christine Jean-Julien. I am 15 years old and attend high school in Ottawa, Ontario. I’m in grade 10 and I’m part of the school’s jazz band and orchestra. I love to read and travel. A fun fact about me is that I can play 8 different instruments.

Rémi Ouellette

Haute-Aboujagane, New Brunswick

Born in Moncton, I have lived in Haute-Aboujagane, in southeastern New Brunswick, with my family since my birth. I am a grade 9 student and attend high school in Shediac, NB.

I was born with a medical condition called 3M Syndrome, which is a type of dwarfism. In order to educate the public and young people about 3M syndrome, my sister and I wrote the book Two young people of small stature: Anything is possible! in 2015.

In 2018, I was one of the lucky Young Citizens winners for my "Pascale Poirier" project. In 2019, the Francophone South School District recognized me for my prize. I was president of the student council in 8th grade at the primary level and this year I am 9th grade representative at the secondary level. In 2017, I received the Youth Prize of the Beaubassin-est Rural Community.

As a sports fan, I have a great interest in sports. I participate in para-athletics in the following disciplines: wheelchair shot put and discus, as well as sledge hockey. I participated in the Acadian Games in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 editions in para-athletics where I won several medals. In addition to sports, I love nature, doing family activities, mountain biking and snowmobiling off-trail. I also have an interest in Canadian history and political issues.

Carleigh Robinson

Eastport, Newfoundland and Labrador

My name is Carleigh Robinson, I am from a small town called Eastport which is located on the coast of Newfoundland. I am 15 years old and in grade 9. I enjoy sports such as basketball, volleyball, ball hockey, and figure skating. I am also apart of my schools student council, I am a PR (public relations) and grade 9 rep. Some of my hobbies are cooking, drawing/painting, and traveling. 

Madeline Vervaet

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Madeline Vervaet is a fourteen year old girl from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a passionate, driven and responsible person who in her spare time enjoys dancing, sewing and spending time with family. She is an active member of her school community and can’t wait to share her experiences and ideas with the rest of the youth committee.

Alison Xia

Richmond, British Columbia

Alison Xia is a student in Richmond, British Columbia with a passion for collaborating and connecting with others. She is currently in the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Program, where she teaches public speaking and aviation. In her free time, Alison enjoys playing the trumpet and is a volunteer band assistant for an elementary school.