Saskatoon Mtis artist Zoey Roy wins National Indspire Award

WhenSaskatoonartistZoeyRoy won a national award forMtisyouth, it originally looked like her mother wouldn't have enough money to attend the awards ceremony in Vancouver.

However, Roy isn't one to accept bad news easily.

Now, Roy is holding a fundraiser, selling braided bannock and soup so her mother can come along on the trip.ForRoy, having her mother, Maxine,in the audience the night she receivestheaward is important to herhealing journey.

"It'sintergenerational trauma that we continue to unravel," she said."I think that it's very important for me to have my mom there, because she'sthe one who brought me into this world, and it takes multiple generations to heal."

Roy is travelling to the National Indspire Awards in Vancouver held next week. She's a well-known local poet, rapper andyouth activist.

Roy still can't believe she won the award.

"I really think it's a message for kids like me who grew up in the core of Saskatoon, or who grew up transient," she said."We never grew up a traditional indigenous lifestyle, and finding my identity was a true journey."

Roy said hosting a fundraiser using traditionalMtis food just made sense.

I knew since she was knee high to a grasshopper that she was going to be someone to look up to.- Maxine Roy

"Mom loves to makebannockand I took a picture on Instagramand hundreds of people liked it," said Roy.

There were 50 orders forbannockwithin the first hour. A Saskatoon cafe, d'LishbyTish, has even agreed to sell it for her.

"I'm very proud of her. She's that wonderful wonderful person and a great daughter," said her mother, Maxine."I knew since she was knee high to a grasshopper that she was going to be someone to look up to."

At 26,Royis a published poet, as well as a University of Saskatchewan student where she is enrolled in the Faculty of Education.

She was alsobehind theRock The Vote movement in Saskatchewan, which encouraged disenfranchisedpopulations to make their voices heard in the 2011 federal election.