FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DIVISION NO. 38
2023 Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award - Honourable Mention Recipients

On May 31, our Board of Trustees were pleased to recognize three FSD students who received honourable mentions for the ASBA Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award. 

From AlbertaSchoolCouncils.ca, "The Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards recognize First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who model strength and commitment in the pursuit of their personal education paths. These awards celebrate the unique qualities of students who inspire their peers, teachers, education leaders and community members while celebrating the ways of their people. Each student embraces their own gifts, strengths and potential, respecting the agency of other students to do the same in their own ways.

These awards are hosted by the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA).

The Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards are presented annually to students selected by the awards committee. The committee will consider First Nations, Métis or Inuit student nominees who attend a school in Alberta, either operated by an ASBA member school board or a First Nations school, who have been nominated by members of their education community based on their exemplary leadership, honour, courage and commitment to their own education path.

Award categories are divided into three regions: North, Central and South.

In each region, awards are divided into the following grade categories:

• Kindergarten to Grade 3;
• Grades 4 to 6;
• Grades 7 to 9;
• And, Grades 10 to 12.

In total, 12 awards are distributed each year."

The nominees from Foothills School Division each earned an honourable mention and were presented with a certificate by our Indigenous Learning Facilitator, Charity Tiegler and Lara Gawryluk of Longview School.  Our nominees are:

Naomi Daniels is a grade 1 student at Longview School, who was new to our school division this year. Naomi lights up any room that she walks into with her curious gaze and shining smile. She is a bright and inquisitive student who brings a very confident and gentle presence to every conversation. Naomi has the ability to achieve her goals and be a positive role model for other students in her Stoney Nakoda community. She is proud of her culture, family, friends and her school.

Ellery Big Tobacco is a grade 11 student at Oilfields High School. He demonstrates the qualities of a leader, an honourable human, a strong cultural ambassador and a peer to many throughout his school. Ellery has a quiet demeanour and is an intent listener and gatherer of information. He seeks out positivity and demonstrates confidence in his own self-worth. Ellery walks quietly through life with kindness, humility, compassion and a great sense of humour. He enjoys volunteering to prepare food for students in his school and advocated to share a family recipe for Bannock with his schoolmates.

Logan Nelson is a grade 12 student at Oilfields High School who will graduate this year as a student with strong academic standing, but also as someone who models perseverance, leadership, and character. Currently, Logan has been accepted and is planning to attend the University of Calgary to study astrophysics. This goal was achieved through his never-ended dedication to his academic studies and his willingness to always do his best. Logan's strength of character is personified in everything that he sets out to do.