Backgrounder: Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards 2022

Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards

Created by Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), the Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards celebrate exceptional First Nations, Métis and Inuit students nominated by members of their education communities, based on their exemplary leadership, courage and commitment to their cultures and educational paths.

Recipients inspire their peers, teachers, education leaders, and community members while respecting the agency of other students to do the same in their own ways. ASBA received more than 270 unique nomination letters and submissions from across the province.

Award parameters

Students may be nominated by other students, teachers, principals, superintendents, education directors, trustees, school staff, Elders or another member of the education community.

Award recipients are selected by the Awards Committee, which considers 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. The Committee is comprised of Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Indigenous Advisory Circle members and one member from each partner organizations including: College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS), Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) and Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA).

Award categories

There are three regions throughout the province (north, central and south), with four award categories in each region. There is one award issued for each grade category in each of the three regions, for a total of 12 awards. Grade categories include:

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