Angelica White Cow of Canyon school, Adrian Creighton of F.P. Walshe school and Brody Harriott of Livingstone school received Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards.
Four Indigenous students were honoured Thursday by Livingstone Range School Division.
Angelica White Cow, Adrian Creighton, Brody Harriott and Trinity Nicholas received Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards.
The awards were presented during the 2022-’23 Honouring Student Excellence Awards hosted by Livingstone Range School Board at the G.R. Davis Administration Building.
The Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards recognize First Nations, Metis and Inuit students who model strength and commitment in the pursuit of their personal education paths.
The recipients embrace their own gifts, strengths and potential while celebrating the ways of their people.
“These awards provide the opportunity to celebrate the unique qualities of students who inspire their peers, teachers, education leaders and community members while respecting the agency of other students to do the same in their own ways,” trustee Lori Hodges said.
F.P. Walshe school principal Chad Jensen introduced Trinity, a Grade 12 student.
“The best way I can describe Trinity is being a kind, caring and compassionate person,” Jensen said. “I’ve always admired how humble she is, and she just goes about her business in such a positive way in our school.”
Jensen said Trinity gives her best effort in all circumstances, and is a friend to others.
Trinity is a strong leader at F.P. Walshe school.
“She’s a strong, powerful Indigenous woman who’s going to do some amazing things in the future and continue to be a strong role model for others,” Jensen said.
Jensen also introduced Adrian Creighton, a Grade 8 student at F.P. Walshe school.
“Adrian is an exceptional young man,” Jensen said. “He has an amazing presence and others are just naturally drawn to him.”
Adrian is connected to his cultural, taking traditional teachings and has travelled to youth conferences to speak on what he has learned.
Adrian was named Fort Macleod’s Junior Citizen of the Year and received the prestigious Clint Jordan Memorial Award from Minor Hockey which recognizes teamwork, sportsmanship and hard work.
Adrian started a pow wow club on the Piikani Nation with the help of his mother, grandmother and brothers.
Juran Weasel Bear, who helps with the club, said Adrian is someone who is not afraid to follow his dreams and makes the right decisions in his life.
“He’s an amazing role model for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students,” Jensen said.
Livingstone school principal Sarah Holmgren praised the leadership abilities of Grade 11 student Brody Harriott.
“He’s a really wonderful human being overall,” Holmgren said. “He is an actual leader in our school.”
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 at Livingstone school look up to Brody, Holmgren said.
“It is really wonderful to watch the way you interact with everyone at our school.”
Holmgren described Brody as kind, popular, hard-working, determined, willing to ask for help and help others and displays grit.
Brody is a stellar athlete and has a strong connection with the outdoors. He is an accomplished skier — earning a corporate sponsorship — and mountain bike rider.
Trustee Lori Hodges read a letter sent by Derek Shackleford, a Grade 6 teacher at Canyon school where Angelica is enrolled.
Shackleford wrote that the staff at Canyon school has witnessed Angelica grow in many ways from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
“One area that has developed is her amazing artistic talent,” Shackleford wrote.
Angelica has a goal of becoming an animator and spends times practicing her skills.
“Her talent inspires those around her, as she is skillful for her age,” Shackleford wrote, noting Angelica designed an “amazing” piece for the school’s Christmas door decorating challenge.
“Her passion for drawing, dedication to always practice, and motivation to do well will no doubt help her to achieve her dream of becoming an animator,” Shackleford added.
Staff have also seen Angelica learn to set boundaries with others and advocate for herself, which demonstrates her personal strength.
A quiet person by nature, Angelica has learned to communicate effectively and interacts well with others.
Angelica has a solid approach to self-care and a healthy attitude towards herself and her peers, Shackleford noted.
“A quiet leader, Angelica models more than she dictates,” Shackleford noted. “She has developed solid problem-solving skills with peers and is confident to know what to say and how to approach most situations.”
Angelica demonstrates commitment to her culture, working to learn to speak and read the Blackfoot language.
A traditional dancer, Angelica designed her own regalia. She participates in tipi pole harvesting and attends pow wow club, beading workshops and Piikani Riding Club.
“It is a privilege to have Angelica attend Canyon school. She is an amazing and resilient human.”
