Student success recognized by Scotiabank

By Marci Becking

SUDBURY – Anishinabek Nation post-secondary students were presented with Scotiabank Anishinabek Student Excellence Awards on Aug. 20 at the United Steelworker’s Hall.

Allison Owl, Joshua Manitowabi, Amy Shawanda, Crystal Kechego and Michelle Ward were the five students who achieved outstanding academic excellence.

Allison Owl, a citizen of Sagamok Anishinawbek, grew up as a crown ward in the Children’s Aid Society.  She is the proud mother of six, and has one diploma from the Cambrian College Child and Youth Worker Program and is in her final year at Laurentian University in the Native Human Service Honours Bachelor of Social Work Program.

Joshua Manitowabi is a fourth-year student at McMaster University in the Honours History program.  The citizen of Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve is pursuing a double major in History and Indigenous Studies with intentions to get his Masters in Indigenous Governance.  His overall goal after completing his post-secondary education is to use his skills and knowledge to empower First Nations youth through his writing as an educator.

Amy Shawanda graduated from Laurentian University with an Honours degree as a double major in Law and Justice and Indigenous Studies this past June and will be starting her first year in the Master of Indigenous Relations program this fall.

Shawanda, citizen of Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, says that community volunteering and involvement is a very important part of her life. She is the Research Assistant at the Poverty, Homelessness, and Migration Project; the Vice President of the Indigenous Student Circle at Laurentian University, organizes workshops and coordinates the Annual Anishnaabe Kwe Water Walk Journey, and sits on the Residential School Exhibition Committee.

Crystal Kechego, citizen of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, received her high school diploma as a mature student she worked for five years before deciding to further her education by enrolling at the post-secondary level. After successfully completing a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in First Nations Studies, she enrolled in her Master of Professional Education with aspirations to become a Principal in the board of education for First Nations communities.

Kechego volunteers with the Chippewa Youth Society which works towards guiding youth in taking ownership of their programming through fundraising and participating in recreational activities. She also enjoys participating in traditional cultural activities such as dancing in powwows and at Traditional Ceremonies.

Michelle Ward is enrolled in the Native and Child and Family Services Program at Confederation College with hopes to continue on to Lakehead University to obtain a degree in Social Services for Child Welfare.  A citizen of Pic Mobert First Nation, her aspiration is to advocate on behalf of Aboriginal children and their families who are involved in the child welfare system.

Although Ward only just completed her first year in her program, she was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA and was recognized by the Dean of Confederation College. She has been involved in a variety of community work which includes community health services, social services, land and larger land base negotiations, and education.