WSD recognizes Indigenous excellence at special celebration

Winnipeg School Division recently held its annual Indigenous Excellence Recognition Evening, an event that has grown over the years from a simple honour song into a large celebration of student success. 

"This evening is not about winning awards," says Rob Riel, Assistant Superintendent of Indigenous Education. "It is about recognizing and honouring the achievements of so many individuals and programs." 

More than 40 students from Grades 1 to 12 received recognition at the event held in the gym at R.B. Russell Vocational High School. Awards covered topics such as academic success, athletic excellence, language skills, and traditional knowledge. The evening also celebrated WSD’s Indigenous graduating students of 2025. 

Community members nominated the students, while the WSD Circle of Indigenous Grandparents reviewed each nomination and selected the winners. 

"The stories of our Indigenous youth truly lifted their hearts and filled their spirits," says Tanis Kobewka, Service Director of Indigenous Education, about the grandparents' role. 

Indigenous Programming at WSD 

Winnipeg School Division offers many programs for Indigenous youth throughout its 78 K to 12 schools. For example, the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program brings together 200 high school students each year. Students learn from one another while connecting to their cultural heritage. They also earn school credits while completing the program. 

Build From Within program helps WSD Indigenous students become teachers. It starts in high school and continues through university to earn a Bachelor of Education. The program celebrated its first three graduates and certified teachers this year: Mackenzie Taylor, Sara Vandel and Joanna Lawrence, who will all return work for the Winnipeg School Division in the fall. 

Niji Mahkwa School opened in 1992 in Winnipeg's North End out of a desire from the community for children to learn Indigenous culture in the city. The school educates students from nursery to Grade 8 and offers language programs in Ojibwe and Cree. "Niji Mahkwa is one of the only schools of its kind in Canada," says Desi-Rae Anderson, who is also a Service Director of Indigenous Education at WSD. 

Additionally, Isaac Brock School in the city’s West End runs Cree and Ojibwe language programs for Early and Middle Years students. The school recently celebrated its first cohort of students who learned Indigenous languages for nine years, every year from kindergarten to Grade 8. The programs started with one kindergarten class each and they now serve all elementary grades. 

The Medical Careers Exploration Program helps students explore health care jobs. Students from Grade 10 to 12 get hands-on experience at hospitals and clinics around Winnipeg, with the goal is to increase the number of Indigenous Peoples working in the medical field. 

Beyond students, WSD also runs a Community Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (CATEP) that supports educational assistants to become qualified teachers. Students work as classroom helpers while earning their teaching degrees through the University of Winnipeg.  
 
Honouring Knowledge and Land Keepers 

A special part of the evening was recognizing students who excel in traditional knowledge and art. WSD Division Kookum Marsha Missyabit presented these awards. 

Connie West-Buck was also honoured as a Knowledge Keeper at Children of the Earth High School, recognizing her significant contributions to Indigenous education and cultural preservation over her many years at WSD. 

Another special moment was celebrating students who show excellence in land care and environmental stewardship. 

WSD’s Indigenous Excellence evening showcases the division’s commitment to Indigenous students, educators and the community. Our goal is to support all students in achieving success while maintaining a connection to their cultural heritage. 

The following students and educators received recognition:  

HONOURING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE 

Early Years (Kindergarten to Grade 3) Honourees: 

• Geremiah Beach-Rodgers, Niji Mahkwa School, Grade 2
• Jordy Bruyere, École Luxton School, Grade 3 

Middle Years (Grades 4 to 8) Honourees:  

• Daliss Chartrand, David Livingstone School, Grade 6 
• Bentley Wood, William Whyte School, Grade 8 

Senior Years (Grades 9 to 12) Honourees: 

• Lawrence Garson-Linklater, Collège Churchill High School, Grade 11
• Dale Turcotte, Tec Voc High School, Grade 11 

2025 Graduating Students Honourees: 

• Hannah Courchene, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute, Grade 12 
• Skyah Harburn, Gordon Bell High School, Grade 12 

 Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (Grades 9 to 12) Honourees: 

• Shelby Eaglestick, St. John’s High School, Grade 11 
• Riley Flett-Desjarlais, École secondaire Sisler High School, Grade 12 

HONOURING ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE 

Early Years (Kindergarten to Grade 3) Honouree: 

• Bernard Champagne, Niji Mahkwa School, Grade 2 

 Middle Years (Grades 4 to 8) Honouree:

•  Maximus Linklater, Harrow School, Grade 4 

Senior Years (Grades 9 to 12) Honouree: 

• Keandra Broughton, Collège Churchill High School, Grade 9 

Community Programming (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Honouree:

•  Rosalyne Wastesicoot, Children of the Earth High School, Grade 10 

HONOURING PROGRAM EXCELLENCE 

Teacher Leader of Tomorrow (Build From Within Student) Honouree: 

• Ashley Sinclair, Cohort 3 

 Build from Within Cooperating Teacher Honouree: 

• Matt Honer, Shaughnessy Park School 

HONOURING BUILD FROM WITHIN COHORT 1 GRADUATES 

• Joanna Lawrence 
• Mackenzie Taylor 
• Sara Vandal  

Medical Professional of Tomorrow (Medical Careers Exploration Program Student) Honouree: 

• Allan Sinclair, Tec Voc High School 

Cree Speaker Early/Middle Years (Kindergarten to Grade 8) Honouree: 

• Arianna Sklavenitis-Laramee, Isaac Brock School, Grade 7 

Cree Speaker Senior Years (Grades 9 to 12) Honouree:

•   Violet Mace, École secondaire Kelvin High School, Grade 12 

Ojibwe Speaker Early/Middle Years (Kindergarten to Grade 8) Honouree: 

• Lorenzo Kakewash-Hiraeta, Isaac Brock School, Grade 3 

Ojibwe Speaker Senior Years (Grades 9 to 12) Honouree: 

•  Kiara Daniels-Houle, Children of the Earth High School, Grade 12 

HONOURING ISAAC BROCK SCHOOL’S BILINGUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM GRADUATES 

• Ariella Binguis-Maytwayshing – Ojibwe 
• Savayah Ducharme-Pranteau - Cree 
• Tyrell Fiddler-Fontaine - Ojibwe 
• Antonio Flett – Ojibwe 
• Ava Meconse - Ojibwe 

HONOURING LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE 

Professional Network of Indigenous Educators, Member of the Year Honouree: 

• Connie West-Buck, Children of the Earth High School  

Indigenous Ally Educator of the Year (non-Indigenous staff) Honouree: 

• Mike Johnston, R.B. Russell Vocational High School 

Indigenous School Leader of the Year (Principals & Vice-Principals) Honouree: 

• Leigh Ann Dysart, Niji Mahkwa School 

Indigenous Ally School Leader of the Year (non-Indigenous Principals and Vice-Principals) Honouree: 

• Tanis Westdal, Shaughnessy Park School 

Indigenous Caregivers Honouree: 

• Pierre Fosseneuve 
• Cynthia Lacquette  

HONOURING TRADITIONAL EXCELLENCE  

Language (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Honouree: 

• Ava Meconse, Isaac Brock School, Grade 8 

Culture (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Honouree: 

• Lyric Lynxleg, Isaac Brock School, Grade 5 

Land Stewardship (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Honouree: 

• Christian Gregory-Brownrigg, R.B. Russell Vocational High School, Grade 9 

Artist (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Honouree: 

•  Jason Fleury, R.B. Russell Vocational High School, Grade 12 

MANITOBA INDIGENOUS YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NOMINEES & WINNERS 

• Gage Bloomfield-Laliberty 
• Julie Frost 
• Phoenix Harper 
• Aiden Kirkness 
• Waasayahbetong (Waasayah) Munro-Soldier 
• Kaden Traverse (former graduate from Grant Park) 
• Samiah Truong-Basarowich 
• Zoe Quill (former graduate from DMCI) 

OVERALL INDIGENOUS EXCELLENCE 

• Jack Pierre, Collège Churchill High School, Grade 12 
• Reese Thomas, Children of the Earth High School, Grade 12 

SPECIAL HONOURING 

• Connie West-Buck, Knowledge Keeper, Children of the Earth High School