ALBERTA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
2026 Honouring Spirit: ASBA Celebrates 12 Outstanding Indigenous Students

Congratulations to the 12 student recipients of the 2026 ASBA Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award! Selected from over 200 nominees, these students exemplify remarkable leadership, courage and dedication to their cultures and educational journeys.

Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) celebrated the outstanding achievements of 12 First Nations, Métis and Inuit students at its 2026 Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award ceremony, held on April 20 at the Queen Elizabeth II Building. Selected from over 200 nominees, these students exemplify remarkable leadership, courage and dedication to their cultures and educational journeys.

The ceremony featured inspiring remarks from:

• The Honourable Salma Lakhani, AOE B.Sc., LLD (Hon), Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
• The Honourable Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations
• Shali Baziuk, President, Alberta School Boards Association
• Boris Contreras, Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Division, Ministry of Education and Childcare
• Elder Charlie Fox, Elder Theresa Strawberry and Roy Pogorzelski, ASBA's Indigenous Advisory Council Members
• Brandon Wood, Director, External Affairs, Keyera
• Trinity Pretty Youngman, 2025 award recipient
• Recipients of the 2026 award

The 12 recipients from kindergarten to Grade 12 across Alberta were nominated by members of their educational communities for their exceptional contributions.

""This award honours students who demonstrate perseverance, cultural pride and integrity as they pursue their educational goals. Through leadership, personal growth and everyday acts of kindness, they inspire their peers and strengthen their school communities. On behalf of Alberta's Public, Catholic and Francophone school boards, we are proud to recognize these remarkable young leaders and the positive impact they are making in their schools and communities."

-Shali Baziuk, President, Alberta School Boards Association

Recipient recognition

Each recipient was presented with:

• An award certificate and congratulatory letter
• A unique hand-crafted Star Blanket
• A one-time scholarship, sponsored by Keyera

Selection

ASBA provides special thanks to its Indigenous Advisory Council members for their invaluable contributions in the selection process.

Additionally, ASBA acknowledges the support of the Selection Committee representatives from the Alberta School Councils' Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents and Keyera.

For more information about the award, visit: asba.ab.ca/awards-and-recognition.