Media Advisory - 2016 Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Awards Recipients Announced

Nine educators and one organization to be honoured during
National Gathering for Indigenous Education

OHSWEKEN, ON, Nov. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - Hundreds of educators and supporters of Indigenous education from across Canada will gather at a ceremony in Toronto, Ontario on November 4 to celebrate the recipients of the 2016 Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Awards. The awards, presented by Indspire, recognize the achievements of outstanding educators of Indigenous students.

Guiding the Journey honorees are acknowledged for having innovative teaching practices, and for advocating for updated resources and more cultural teachings in the curriculum, while helping Indigenous students reach their full potential.

The ten recipients of 2016 Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Awards are as follows:

• Community Service – Ivan Augustine, New Brunswick
• Partner in Indigenous Education – Elizabeth Barrett, British Columbia
• Innovative Practice – Pauline McKay, Saskatchewan
• Culture, Language and Traditions – Thomas Deer, Ontario
• Culture, Language and Traditions – Eileen Lucas, Alberta
• Leadership – Denise Augustine, British Columbia
• Leadership – Lois Phillipp, Northwest Territories
• Role Model – Wade Houle, Manitoba
• Role Model – Kieran McMonagle, Ontario
• Indigenous Organization Award – South Slave Divisional Education Council, Northwest Territories

"These educators are exemplary in their innovation and dedication to helping First Nation, Inuit, and Métis children and youth succeed," said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire. "They are creating lasting change in the communities they serve and enriching the field of Indigenous education through their contributions."

The Guiding the Journey ceremony is part of Indspire's annual National Gathering for Indigenous Education, a conference taking place November 4-5 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Over 800 attendees from across the country are expected to take part in more than seventy workshops and presentations during the two-day conference, which will focus on celebrating and exploring our rich Indigenous cultures, traditions, and histories. This conference engages educators, and community partners to collaborate for student success. For more information about the 2016 National Gathering for Indigenous Education, to purchase conference passes (almost sold out!) and to purchase Guiding the Journey Awards Ceremony tickets, visit indspire.ca/national-gathering.

Indspire thanks its presenting corporate sponsors, Suncor Energy Foundation and Suncor Energy Inc., for their support of the Guiding the Journey awards and the National Gathering for Indigenous Education.

"We've had the opportunity to be part of the Indspire Indigenous Educator Awards for a number of years, and each year I'm blown away by the exceptional individuals honoured," said Cathy Glover, director of Community Investment, Suncor. "Educators play a critical role in inspiring and supporting their students and it's through awards like this that we are able to celebrate and acknowledge their contributions, not only to the students in Indigenous communities, but to the whole of Canada."

About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire disburses financial awards, delivers programs, and shares resources with the goal of closing the gap in Indigenous education. Through the Indspire Institute, it provides resources to educators, communities, and other stakeholders who are committed to improving kindergarten to grade 12 success rates for Indigenous youth. In 2015-16, Indspire awarded over $12.2 million through 3,792 bursaries and scholarships, making it the largest funder of Indigenous education. Each year, the organization presents the Indspire Awards, a celebration of the successes achieved by Indigenous people that is broadcast nationally. Indspire was selected by the Financial Post as one of Canada's Top 25 Charities Worthy of a Donation in 2014 and in 2015, and voted as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Intelligence Canada.

SOURCE Indspire

For media passes to the conference and for more information, please contact: Anne Marie Gabriel, CAE, VP, Communications & Marketing, 226.920.5928, [email protected]