SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence
The SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence are a celebration of achievement by Saskatchewan Aboriginal
youth in ten categories:
- Two awards in this category: Male and Female
- Lead a balanced lifestyle based on foundation of strong cultural and spiritual values
- Exceptional academic success
- Physically active
- Demonstrates leadership
- Inspires, supports and respects others with honor and dignity, education or career goals
- Inspires and motivates others; identifies need, initiates action, finds solutions
- Demonstrates positive attitude and respects diverse cultures
- Supports others
- Academic success
- Education or career goals
- Exceptional academic success
- Average of 80% or higher
- Clear post-secondary education and career goals
- Demonstrates leadership in extracurricular activities
- A group or individual who is in a business or entrepreneurship class/or group,
- Career goal in business,
- Academic excellence
- Demonstrates concern for others in the community
- Generously gives of time and energy promoting the wellbeing of others
- Academic success
- Actively demonstrates and promotes Aboriginal values and language in school and community
- Includes all traditional dance, song and storytelling that reflects Aboriginal cultures
- Academic success
- Education and career goals
- Significant achievement in competitive organized sport
- Academic success
- Education and career goals
- Initiates, develops, improves and encourages community activities that promote healthy lifestyles
- Create artistic expression that portrays Aborginal people through the arts
- Academic success
- Education and career goals
- Clear post-secondary education goals leading to career
- Excellent academic skills in sciences and/or technologies
- Demonstrates interest in applied science, health, industry and/or technology
- Demonstrates personal characteristics that show ability to overcome adversity
- Resiliency leads to a healing journey through cultural/spiritual values
- Shares knowledge with others for the betterment of community
- Education and career goals
Nominations for these awards are open to any youth who...
- is of Aboriginal ancestry;
- is between 13 and 18 years of age as of May 24, 2013;
- is a resident of Saskatchewan; and
- has demonstrated outstanding commitment and or ability in one of the nine award categories.
or any group that...
- meets the above criteria.
Anyone can nominate a youth (except parents). But, each nomination must be supported by two references: community leader, educator or elder, not related to the youth. Also, youths can only be nominated in one category.
To nominate someone you must send in:
- A completed nomination form.
- Reasons for nominating this youth.
- His or Her (or Group) accomplishments, in point form.
- Two (2) letters of reference from, an elder, community leader, educator, coach (can not be related to the youth).
- Nomination form filled in completely.
- Nominee must complete and submit a 200 word autobiography explaining how he/she or group fit criteria of the particular award category. Also include goals, objectives, and beliefs, and reasons why you feel you deserve this award.
- A 5x7 picture.
Note: All documents or pictures submitted will become property of the Wicihitowin Foundation and will not be returned. All documents or pictures must be submitted together at one time.
Mail, fax, or e-mail everything to:
SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence
Attention: Shawn Albert
11th flr. 410 22nd Street East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 1W8
Toll Free: 1-866-931-6205
Fax: (306) 931-5950
e-mail: aboriginal.youthawards@sasktel.sk.ca
Deadline for application is Midnight, April 12, 2013
Some helpful tips!
- A youth can only be nominated in one category.
- Give complete answers to all of the questions asked.
- Provide lots of detail about the nominee and accomplishments.
- Remember, the judges do not know the nominee yet.
- The judges are most interested in personal sacrifice, determination, effort, commitment, attitude, demonstrations of leadership, sense of Aboriginal culture and language.
- Past award winners are not eligible to be nominated.
Outstanding Achievement Award Male
Sponsored by SaskTel,
the 2012 SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement was presented by
Mr. Gord Wyant, MLA Saskatoon-Northwest.
The 2012 male recipient for the Outstanding Category is Perry Opoonechaw from the James Smith First Nation. Perry graduated last year at the age of 16 and is currently enrolled the Aboriginal Police Preparation Program at SIAST Woodland Campus in Prince Albert, SK. He will be starting studies in January to take his correctional studies diploma while he still is only 17 years of age.
Perry was both nominated and selected for this award due his many outstanding characteristics. Foremost, Perry is a well balanced young man who lives a healthy drug and alcohol free lifestyle, one who is practices his First Nations traditions and learning his language. Perry sings at Round Dances and loves to be able to sing songs about his culture. Perry lead his Prince Albert Grand Council team to a gold medal last summer at the Saskatchewan Indian Summer games as a pitcher. He has been playing since he was a young boy. Perry is a genuine role model to family, peers, community members.
Perry's dedication to his academics is another obvious characteristic there is a trail of academic excellence. He has been excelling academically since Grade 7. Perry has been valued by his community as a young leader while sharing his message about positive and health lifestyles to his peers. He plans on continuing to be an advocate to his fellow yout.h
Perry's long term and life long dream is to become a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Perry, you are the Wicihitowin vision of truly building leaders for tomorrow and helping each other. Congratulations!
Outstanding Achievement Award Female
Sponsored by SaskTel,
the 2012 SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement was presented by
Mr. Gord Wyant, MLA Saskatoon-Northwest.
The 2012 female recipient for the Outstanding Category is Tara Willet from the Little Pine First Nation. Tara is 17 years of age and attends Campell Collegiate in Regina.
Tara is an outstanding recipient with many qualities to be respectfully shared. Her accomplishments are numerous. Since Grade 11, Tara has been taking accelerated classes at the University of Regina. She has also been on the honour roll since grade nine. . She ran a successful anti-bullying program campaign in Regina and became the first Business President in the Junior Achievement established in 2011 in Regina area. Tara was selected to represent the province of Saskatchewan on a National Advisory Board partnered with Native Health Network speaking on issues relating to youth in Saskatchewan. Tara has been instrumental in coordinating workshops with the Anti Racist Cross Cultural Team development teaching children about bullying, harassment and issues around racism, reaching hundreds of children.
Last summe,r Tara graduated from the Bold Eagle Program. She became a Private in the Canadian Forces. She worked in the medical unit as a resource supply clerk. Tara was one of eight young women in her platoon to graduate in this Canada wide army program. Tara also has been selected as one of the Top 40 Youth in the Under 20 Top Awards of Canada.
Tara dedicates her time to being an activist, youth leader, and student. She dedicates her time to helping others building strong communities and individuals. Tara has clearly demonstrated outstanding abilities and achievements. As the Wicihitowin vision building leaders for tomorrow, we honour your accomplishments today and wish you further success as you start your journey with the Katimavik program. Tara will be attending the First Nations University of Canada.
SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence winners:
- Sports & Recreation - Shayna Thomas (female) Kieran Johnston (male)
- Spirit - Wade Lavallee
- Fine / Performing Arts - Shaquille McGonigle
- Culture - Amelia Badger
- Technology / Science Award - Gabrielle Abraham
- Education - Christopher Dogniez
- Community Service - CHIT 103.3 FM
- Leadership - Shyanne St. Denis
- Enterprise - Christopher Mike
The SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence were established by the Wicihitowin Foundation in 1997, to recognize the many achievements of Aboriginal youth in Saskatchewan. The Awards are supported by the public, government, and private sector.
A jury of Aboriginal people including: youth, former award winners, and community leaders select the winners based on the criteria outlined. Decisions of the judges are final.
Winners are honoured at a Gala Evening Ceremony, May 24, 2013 at TCU Place.
For more information, please contact:
Shawn Albert
Committee Member - SaskTel
Phone: (306) 931-6286
Fax: (306) 931-5950
