Upon being asked: "What does excel mean"? Michelle Stoney responded “an eagle climbing upwards.” Michelle Stoney is the contest winner for The Courage to Excel logo contest. Here is her story...

"My name is Michelle Stoney, and I am from the Gitxsan nation.  My native name is Delga mass, and I am from the house of Delgamuuk .  I started learning native art from my Grandfather (ye’e),  when was I was around 7.  I remember when all of my cousins and siblings would be running and fooling around and I  would be by my Ye’e’s side watching him draw his designs. I didn’t  know that it was part of our tradition to watch and learn, nor did I ask any questions.  Deep inside I knew I always wanted to be an artist but I didn’t think that was what my family wanted for me. 
I spent 4 years attending university to become a teacher. I decided to take a year off to study art. I  applied to the Emily Carr University and was accepted. My family was so happy for me, and my Ye’e said that this was what he always wanted for me, and what he saw for my future.  So now I am  in my 3rd year at  Emily Carr, upon completion I plan to go back to teach art in my territory. 

 Last year I won the YVR Foundation Scholarship. My art will be on display at the airport in May 2010.
The pieces I plan to showcase are an eagle headdress, and a eagle bowl that tells the story of my house of Delgamuuk. 
I haven’t decided what I’ll major in but I am really into Silkscreen and Sculpture.  I also look forward to applying the traditions that I have learned from my Ye’e,  as well as the new techniques I have learned from attending Emily Carr."