Jillian Wallin-Leblanc of Matthew Halton school and Leslie Bruised Head, Tacey Rabbit and Dorian McDougall of F.P. Walshe school received honourable mention in the Alberta School Boards Association’s Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards. Presenting the awards were F.P. Walshe school principal Chad Jensen and Livingstone Range School Board vice-chair Lacey Poytress.
Four Livingstone Range School Division students were honoured last week for modelling strength and commitment in pursuit of their education goals.
F.P. Walshe school students Leslie Bruised Head, Tacey Rabbit and Dorian McDougall and Jillian Wallin-Leblanc of Matthew Halton school received honourable mention in the Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards.
“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,” school board vice-chair Lacey Poytress said.
The awards were presented May 27 during the 2023-’24 Honouring Student Excellence Awards hosted by Livingstone Range School Board at the REO Hall in Fort Macleod.
The Alberta School Boards Association 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 are selected by the awards committee, which considers First Nations, Metis or Inuit students who have been nominated by members of their education community based on their exemplary leadership, honour, courage and commitment to their own education path.
F.P. Walshe school principal Chad Jensen described Tacey Rabbit as humble, kind and maintains a strong relationship with elders
A Grade 11 student, Tacey is active with the community pow wow club.
“We’re very proud of this young lady,” Jensen said of F.P. Walshe school staff.
Jensen noted that earlier that day when a scheduled presenter was unable to attend Niitsitapi Day at F.P. Walshe, Tacey stepped in at the last minute and led a session on pow wow.
“She was absolutely amazing with the students,” Jensen said of the 30-minute presentation on Indigenous traditions and culture.
Jensen described Dorian McDougall, a Grade 7 student, as a natural leader in the school.
“He’s a kid who just brings others together,” Jensen said. “He’s got a welcoming personality, and gets along with all his classmates.”
McDougall is active in school sports including volleyball, basketball, rugby and cross-country.
“Staff just can’t say enough positive things,” Jensen said.
A Grade 8 student, Leslie Bruised Head fosters a sense of inclusion at F.P. Walshe school and entertains staff and students with a good sense of humour.
“She’s a very well-respected, strong academic student in our school,” Jensen said, who got many positive comments about Leslie from staff members.
Leslie is proud of her culture and a strong participant in the school’s Blackfoot class, where she is described as responsible, caring, funny and outgoing.
“She’s a leader by example,” said Jensen. “We’re so fortunate to have her in our school.”
Matthew Halton school teacher Robbie Van Orman introduced Jillian Wallin-Leblanc as quiet, soft-spoken and hands-on in school activities.
“She’s one of the kindest persons I’ve ever met,” Van Orman added. “She’s hard-working, very determined, and her quiet nature draws people to her.”
In recent years Jillian has learned about her Metis culture and identity.
“The way Jillian conducts her life day-to-day exemplifies a lot of the important values of the Metis people, including kindness, caring, courage, hard work and determination,” Van Orman said.
