LITTLE CURRENT—In a heartwarming celebration of achievement and dedication, Kenjgewin Teg recently hosted its awards ceremony at the Manitoulin Conference Centre on December 5. The event brought together graduates, faculty, presenters and families to honour outstanding accomplishments and commemorate the invaluable contributions made by individuals within the community.
A poignant highlight of the ceremony was the recognition bestowed upon graduates through the In Memoriam awards presented by families of community members who have passed away. These awards were a testament to the graduates’ academic excellence and personal achievements, emphasizing their lasting impact on the community, dedication to Anishinaabe culture and the attainment of personal milestones.
Brenda Francis, director of human resources at Kenjgewin Teg, led the event as the emcee, guiding the proceedings that featured a keynote address by Giselle McGregor, an esteemed alumna from the Whitefish River First Nation. Ms. McGregor shared her transformative journey toward becoming an Anishinaabe culture-based educator, attributing her success to her education at Kenjgewin Teg.
The ceremony recognized the following students for their remarkable achievements:
Kenjgewin Teg Board of Directors, Declan Allison; The Kim Corbiere Mino Bmaadziwin Memorial Bursary, Jesse Cachene; Charles Shawanda Memorial Award, Melissa Jacko; Sara Peltier Memorial – Educational Excellence, Austin Pangowish; Lloyd Debassige Memorial Award, Darryl Enosse; Ryan Jones Memorial Award, Elizabeth Peltier; Kino-Maage Gimaa (President), Krista Payette; Lewis Debassige Memorial Award – Kenjgewin Teg Leadership, Iosefo Taukei.
Kenjgewin Teg Awards ceremony.
The Board Awards went to the following students: Whitefish River First Nation, Krista Payette; Sheguiandah First Nation, Darryl Enosse; Sheshegwaning, Tyler Lewis; Aundeck Omni Kaning, Austin Pangowish; M’Chigeeng, Trinity Grenier; Zhiibaahaasing, Dakota Hare; Constance Lake, Charlene Sagon; Sagamok, Steven Fox-Radulovich; Brian Bisson-Baa Memorial Award, Charlie Halverson; Martin Bayer Award, Christopher Spong; Glen Crawford Award – Embracing your Educational Journey, Lynnette Ominika.
Additionally, accolades were bestowed upon dedicated staff members who have shown exemplary commitment to cultural education and unwavering support for both past and present students.
The Kenjgewin Teg Employee Recognition Program, designed to acknowledge and reward staff for their unwavering dedication and contributions to the organization’s success, celebrated these outstanding staff members: Distinguished Service Award, Joanna Panamick – Lifelong Learning Team Assistant; Innovation of the Year Award, Robin Anderson – Marketing and Communications Specialist; Outstanding Service to Education Award, Adam Kastoff – Literacy and Basic Skills Assistant/IT Support Technician.
The Employee Recognition Program aims to spotlight significant achievements that benefit the organization. An Employee Recognition Committee, comprising representatives from various areas of Kenjgewin Teg, meticulously reviewed employee contributions, nominations, and affiliations to select the deserving recipients of these prestigious awards.
The ceremony served as a poignant tribute to the collective achievements and unwavering dedication of graduates and staff, underscoring the invaluable impact of education, community support, and cultural preservation at Kenjgewin Teg.
