PROVIDENCE BAY—Along with the 142nd annual Providence Bay Fair comes the Friday night Ambassador of the Fair competition where young people vie for a chance to represent the Providence Bay Fair at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto.
This year, the 2024 Ambassador of the Fair, Alex Wilson-Zegil, will attend the CNE for her chance to become the top ambassador in all the province.
There are five amazing young women who have all thrown their hats in the ring for the 2025 Providence Bay Fair Ambassador. Their bios are as follows:
Avery Barnes
Avery is a 16-year-old from Little Current who will be entering Grade 11 at Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) in the fall.
During her time off she likes to ride and hang out with her horse Smoke.
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed equestrian says her role model is her mom, Sarah VanHorne. “She is a big role model because she has shown me what true resilience is and her strength and kindness is something I adore.”
Avery says her favourite thing about Manitoulin is the beauty and having family close by.
Winning the Ambassador title would mean “A lot and it would be so nice to present the Island for the weekend, and the year to come.”
Avery is sponsored by E. Corbiere and Sons.
Taylor Goodfellow
Taylor is a 16-year-old who hails from Aundeck Omni Kaning (AOK). In September, she will be starting Grade 12 at MSS.
Taylor shares that among her favourite pastimes are going to powwows and dancing as a proud member of AOK. She also enjoys singing and musical theatre.
The black-haired, brown-eyed young woman says her grandma is her biggest role model in life “because she is the strongest person I know. She is a residential school survivor and just the way she carries herself with pride and grace makes me want to be just like her.”
“My favourite part of Manitoulin is the sense of community and culture,” Taylor shares. “Whether it’s a powwow, Haweater or Providence Bay Fair, everyone comes together to support and learn from each other.”
Taylor says winning Ambassador of the Fair would mean a lot to her as it would allow her the opportunity to represent her own community as well as Manitoulin Island “and would be a great opportunity to also share my teachings with others.”
Taylor’s sponsor is Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation.
Athena Gravelle
Athena is a brown-haired, hazel-eyed 17-year-old who hails from Kagawong. She will be attending Grade 12 in the fall at MSS.
On her days off, Athena says she likes to be outdoors, enjoying the fresh air or volunteering in her role as youth representative on Billings Township council.
Athena calls her grandparents her life’s biggest influences as “they have shown me the importance of hard work, kindness and unconditional love.”
“My favourite thing about Manitoulin Island would be the sense of closeknit community and the sustainable ways in which we provide for one another,” she says.
Athena says it would be an “honour” to win the title of Ambassador of the Fair. “It would mean being able to represent a community and tradition that I really care about. To me, it wouldn’t just be a title, but a gateway to celebrating my heritage, supporting hardworking farmers and showing the spirit of Manitoulin Island with others.”
Athena is sponsored by “The Kag.”
Kalli Jones-Pheasant
Kalli is an 18-year-old from Little Current who will be starting her first year at Georgian College in the fall.
Kalli, an entrepreneur with her own skincare line, “likes to set up my business at markets, travel to powwows to dance and play hockey in the winter.”
“The biggest influences in my life are my mom, Sophie Pheasant and my dad Peter Jones, who are very hard workers that always make things happen for me and my siblings,” Kalli says.
Kalli’s favourite thing about Manitoulin is “not only the amazing scenery, but the history the Island holds. The Island itself holds so many hidden gems and there’s always more to explore.”
The young woman says that winning the Ambassador of the Fair would be an honour to represent Manitoulin, and her community of Wiikwemkoong.
Kalli is sponsored by 45-82.
Hannah McDonald
Hannah graduated from MSS in the spring is currently taking a “gap year.”
The 17-year-old enjoys reading, writing, drawing, painting and playing guitar and piano.
Hannah says her biggest life influence is “Monsignor James Hutton, because he welcomed me into my faith and showed me endless support while I was growing in my ability to find beauty in all things.”
The brown-haired, blue-eyed young woman says her favourite thing about Manitoulin is the people. “I’ve always loved how welcoming and open our community is to Islanders and visitors. There is always a wonderful sense of unity here.”
Winning the Ambassador of the Fair would mean a lot, Hannah says, as it would allow her many different ways to represent Manitoulin’s culture.
Danika Skippen
Danika is a brown-haired, hazel-eyed 17-year-old from Little Current who will be starting at the University of Guelph in the fall.
In her spare time, Danika enjoys working with her calves and lambs and helping out on the family farm.
Danika cites her biggest role models as Rob Pennie and Matt Hollands, who have taught her—and continue to teach her—about agriculture.
“My favourite thing about the Island is the community,” Danika says. “Wherever I go on the Island I know people, and I know that there is a community to support me.”
“Winning Ambassador would mean so much to me,” she adds. “I would get to represent the fair that means so much to me and has supported my interest in showing animals.”
Danika is sponsored by Sharpe Farm Supplies.
