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 19 years of age as of April 27, 2012;
- 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, March 23, 2012
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 2011 SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement was presented by
Minister Don Morgan, Minister of Saskatchewan Telecommunications, SaskTel to Evan Corrigal.
The 2011 male recipient for the Outstanding Category is Evan Corrigal from the Ile-la Crosse, Local 21 . Evan is an 18 year old Grade 12 student who attends school at Rossignol High in Ile-la Crosse.
Evan was both nominated and selected for this award due his many outstanding characteristics. Foremost, Evan is a well balanced young man who lives a healthy drug and alcohol free lifestyle, one who is practices his metis traditions and language – michif. Evan enjoys hunting, fishing and trapping however sharing his catch with family and grandmothers is his true happiness. Evan, you are a genuine role model to your family, peers, community members and those of us who listen to your many accomplishments today.
Evan's dedication to his academics is another obvious characteristic there is a trail of academic excellence, excelling academically, since Grade 7 to the present. Evan received the Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence in Grade 8 and continues attaining the highest academic awards in his high school with a GPA of 92%. Leadership is another exceptional characteristic, Evan was a leader
- Of a team in 2011 Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association Sportsmanship Banner (awarded to his volleyball team)
- 2011 3rd place National Aboriginal Youth Curling Championship, Provincial Championships representation as well
- 2010 at the Lieutenant Governor's Leadership Forum and
- Recipient of the Northern Saskatchewan Student Achievement for several years
Evan you are truly an outstanding young man with a brilliant future, we wish you continued success as you embark on a new and exciting chapter in your life at the University of Saskatchewan, College of Engineering. Congratulations!
Outstanding Achievement Award Female
Sponsored by SaskTel,
the 2011 SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement was presented by
Minister Don Morgan, Minister of Saskatchewan Telecommunications, SaskTel to Chesley Sundby.
The 2011 female recipient for the Outstanding Category is Chesley Sundby from the Big River Métis Local 59. Chelsey is 19 years of age and has just completed her 1st year at the University of Saskatchewan, attending the college of kinesiology.
Chelsey is an outstanding recipient for many qualities to be respectfully shared. Her accomplishments are numerous, as young prospective hockey player. Chelsey played hockey from a young age, for the SaskCan division AAA Female Stampede Challenge winning the gold medal. To continue on with competitive hockey, Chelsey needed to be relocated at the young age of 14, and was billeted out to good Prince Albert, a good home and join the AAA Prince Albert Bears, leaving behind her family in Big River, soon to achieve Rookie of the Year Award. The following year Chelsey played hockey in the under 18 Nationals in Ontario and the Chelsey where she awarded the Most Valuable Player and now plays with the uofs Womens hockey team. However, this all didn't happen overnight and without personal and family adversity, of which Chelsey overcome. Having 2 of 3 siblings diagnosed with illnesses such asthma and rare bone disorder was not easy, unable to be at home, and thereafter have her father diagnosed with cancer, who still receives treatment today. Yet, Chelsey persevered, with the support of her mother and grandmother. Two very special women who instilled their Métis values, to know who you are and be proud of yourself, something Chelsey definitely wants to pass to other youth.
Hockey is a passion of Chelsey's and believes one can be successful developing the right attributes and attitude through sports. Coupled with Chelsey's natural hockey abilities is her academic accomplishments, have always been consistent, she graduated with a 95.6% GPA in Grade 12, and the recipient of Governor's General Award. During her high school Chsley was dedicated to her peers sitting on the SRC, volunteering at food drives, supporting children the community as learn to skate or be active, definite leaderships skills and able to fulfill her commitments.
Chelsey you have clearly demonstrated outstanding abilities and achievements we honour accomplishments today and wish you further success as you complete your kinesiology degree and Huskies athletics, and know have already and will continue to difference especially as a physical education educator, congratulations!
SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence winners:
- Sports & Recreation - Amanda Stonechild (female) Keaven Simes (male)
- Spirit - Cheyenne Semchysen
- Fine / Performing Arts - Brandon Baldhead
- Culture - Dakota Kematch Speidel
- Technology / Science Award - Danielle Delorme
- Education - Lindsay Lepage
- Community Service - Kendra Gamble
- Leadership - Justice Eashappie
- Enterprise - Tipi Tones
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, April 27, 2012 at TCU Place.
For more information, please contact:
Colleen Cameron, Chair, SaskTel
Phone: (306) 931-6202
Fax: (306) 931-5950
