Canadore grad wins volunteer award

June 20, 2013
Celebrating Annette Chiblow’s success are, from left,: Judy Manitowabi, Manager of Community-Based Training; Paulette Aiabens, Registrar Liaison; Liz Dowdall, Counsellor; Annette Chiblow; Gerard Peltier, Recruiting Officer; Roger Chum, Counsellor; Shawn Chorney, Vice-President of Student Services.
Celebrating Annette Chiblow’s success are, from left,: Judy Manitowabi, Manager of Community-Based Training; Paulette Aiabens, Registrar Liaison; Liz Dowdall, Counsellor; Annette Chiblow; Gerard Peltier, Recruiting Officer; Roger Chum, Counsellor; Shawn Chorney, Vice-President of Student Services.

NORTH BAY – Recent Canadore College  graduate Annette Chiblow is the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award.

The award recognizes an exemplary volunteer who practices active citizenship among the province’s graduating students. Nominations are generally reserved for students graduating from Ontario secondary schools, but the award was extended to a Canadore student on exception.

“Annette was an integral member of our student body while she studied here at Canadore,” said Roger Chum, Counsellor at the Canadore First Peoples’ Centre. “Her enthusiasm, commitment and all-around positive personality reflects who she is as an Anishinabe Kwe. Our First Peoples’ Centre applauds her accomplishments and more importantly, her service to our First Nation, Métis and Inuit students.”

Annette took lead roles in organizing a number of First Peoples’ Centre events, including the 22nd Annual Canadore Pow-wow, presentations to the Air Cadets program about First Nations veterans and their contribution to Canada’s military history, the first-ever Christmas formal, and the Winter Carnival.

Shawn Chorney, Vice-President of Student Services, said Annette’s positive attitude, qualities and attributes inspired him to advocate for the acceptance of her nomination even though it was technically outside of the regular scope.

“I can’t believe I won this award, especially with it being one-of-a kind…it feels so awesome,” said Chiblow, a Mental Health and Addiction Worker Graduate (2013). “I feel honoured and privileged to be recognized in this way, and it gives me the incentive to keep going. I loved being a student at Canadore, I felt like I was a part of something.”

Chiblow is originally from Mississagi First Nation.  The Canadore alumna is currently operating her own residential indoor painting business, crediting the experience she gained as a summer student, painting the walls at the College Drive Campus.

Nearly 20 percent of Canadore’s total student population is of Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Cree Algonquin, Mohawk, Inuit or Métis descent from Ontario, Québec and nation-wide, one of the highest representations in the provincial college system.