Apr. 03, 2017
Gina Crowchief, a Grade 12 student at Louise Dean School was honoured as a finalist in the Indigenous Shining Student Award. This annual award celebrates First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who are shining examples in their communities. The winner was a Grade 12 student from Red Deer. Three other students are honoured as finalists.
A record number of students – 60 from across Alberta – were nominated this year. The ISS Award
Jury Committee noted the quality of this year’s nominations, including numerous detailed examples of students’ leadership qualities, steadfastness when faced with challenges, and abilities to inspire
others.
The ISS Award is sponsored by Xerox Canada and presented annually by the Education Partners’
Task Force on First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Success and Well-being.
The Task Force works to improve the success of Alberta’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit students,
and is chaired by Cathie Williams, member of the ASBA Board of Directors and trustee with the
Calgary Catholic School District. The Task Force includes Zone and Metro representatives from the
Alberta School Boards Association (including Northland School Division No. 61), Alberta School
Councils’ Association, Alberta Teachers’ Association, the College of Alberta School
Superintendents, Rupertsland Institute, Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia and
Alberta Education’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Division.
Congratulations, Gina!
See Media Release from Alberta School Boards Association
“I got pregnant at 16 and broke up with my daughter’s father a couple of months before she was born. It’s just been me and my daughter since day one. I was living with my mom with no income at the time. I had been attending Louise Dean Centre, but after she was born, it was a struggle to go back to school. With the help of my family and the motivation of everyone here at Louise Dean, I did come back when she was seven months old, but I hardly ever came to class. But now that I’m 19, I need to stop putting this on hold. I’m doing all my 20 and 30 level classes this year. Not only did I get the perfect attendance award in term one, but I now have early acceptance into Bow Valley College’s Justice Studies diploma program. I had a lot of encouragement. A lot of people pushed me and believed in me that I could get it done. After I graduate from Bow Valley College, I want join a police force or the military and be on a SWAT team.”
Gina Marie Crowfoot
