Black Gold trustees celebrate six students nominated for Honouring Spirit Indigenous Award

The Black Gold Board of Trustees celebrated six students from throughout the division this week, at its May Board meeting. The students were all nominated for the Honouring Spirit Indigenous Award, through the Alberta School Boards Association.

Michael Swampy, Black Gold’s Indigenous Lead Instructional Curriculum Coach introduced each of the students, and talked about their contributions to their school and to the larger community.

He says, “Being able to honour these students in our school division brings me an immense amount of pride. It brings happiness, and honestly some joyful tears. I hope this experience of being nominated is as rewarding for the students as it was for me. My hope is that they walk away with their heads held high, with pride in being Indigenous. I hope they continue sharing their own knowledge and culture with others, and feeling proud of their Indigenous identity.” 

Board Chair, Devonna Klaassen, says the Board was excited to meet the students and learn more about them, including visiting with them over the lunch break. She says, “We are deeply proud of each of you and grateful for the example you set in your schools and communities.”

Read more about each nominee, here.
Also, read more about one of the nominees who was honoured at the provincial level, here.

Top row (left to right): Noah - École Corinthia Park School, Hazel - École Corinthia Park School, Corbin - École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School

Bottom row (left to right): Marissa - Willow Park School, Cody - Caledonia Park School, Vienna - Covenant Christian School