RBC Neekaneewak Leadership Award Winners Celebrated

The University of Regina and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) recognized the accomplishments of four outstanding Indigenous students at the RBC Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative Awards at a ceremony today at the U of R.

The Neekaneewak (which loosely translates from Cree to they are leading) Leadership Initiative is an Elder-based leadership program run by the ta-tawâw Student Centre at the U of R. The initiative enhances cultural awareness and develops leadership skills in student participants through traditional and current ways of knowing.

“Alongside their families and communities, I am so proud to celebrate and honour these four tremendous leaders,” said Lori Campbell, AVP Indigenous Engagement, University of Regina. "The RBC Neekaneewak Awards reflect the leadership journey of each nominee and showcases to every Indigenous student the strength of leadership that is inherent within them. These leadership traits are discovered and built at every stage of their journey at the University of Regina, First Nations University of Canada, and all of our partner colleges and campuses.”

Now in its third year, the RBC Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative Awards recognize Indigenous students who have demonstrated leadership in their academic, personal, and professional lives. The award categories are Academic Development, Personal Development, Professional Development, and Cultural Development.

"We are confident, that guided by a rich tapestry of Indigenous knowledge and heritage, each RBC Neekaneewak Leadership award winner will find continued success making positive impacts in our communities,” said Jon Barth, RBC Regional Vice President, Southern Saskatchewan. “Congratulations to this year’s winners - thank you for setting a shining example for all of us.”

The following students were recognized at today’s ceremony:

Community/Personal Leadership
Brittany Poitras, Plains Cree and Anishinaabe, Peepeekisis First Nation

Brittany Poitras is a student at First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv). She is in her third year of an Arts degree, with a major in Indigenous Studies with honours, and a minor in Justice Studies. She is also taking classes to obtain her Diploma in Indigenous Communication Arts. In addition to her studies, Poitras is the Vice-President of the FNUniv Student Association (Regina campus), an active member of the ta-tawâw Student Council, a team member of the U of R Cougars Golf Team, and a radio host for the FNUniv radio station.

Academic Leadership
Camryn Murray, Métis Nation

 Camryn Murray is in the third year of her Bachelor of Education degree, in the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (The SUNTEP program is delivered by the Gabriel Dumont Institute, in partnership with the Ministry of Advanced Education and the University of Regina). Throughout her three years at the University of Regina, Murray has appeared on to the Dean's List in the Faculty of Education each semester, and she has achieved an overall Undergraduate GPA of 92.00. She is also a Resident Assistant for The Neekaneewak Living-Learning Community on campus, where she is responsible for cultural programming and completing mental health check-ins with residents.

Professional Leadership
Jordynn Pewapsconias ᐯᐊᐧᑊᐢᒍᓂᐊᐢ, Nehiyawak / Anishinaabe, Keeseekoose First Nation

 Jordynn Pewapsconias is a Kinesiology & Health Studies (KHS) student at the University of Regina, as well as an Indigenous Student & Youth Engagement Intern with the Faculty of KHS. Recently, she planned and executed a two-day event that introduced Indigenous high school students to the fields of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, while also familiarizing them with the support systems available to Indigenous university students.

 “Sport is really what got me into education. I want to be an inspiration and a changemaker in the sport industry for Indigenous youth,” said Pewapsconias. “Leadership, to me, is not just leading people. It’s about bringing people with you, pushing them forward, as well.”

Cultural Leadership
Jesse Kitchemonia, Anishinaabe, Key First Nation

 Jesse Kitchemonia is in the final semester of her Bachelor of Arts degree in Indigenous Studies at First Nations University of Canada. A student and mother of four, Kitchemonia has learned the process of hide tanning, and built a practice of her own. She now teaches community members at her home reserve of Key First Nation the process of hide tanning and ribbon skirt making.

In recognition of their leadership, award recipients each received a $5,000 award and a gift box from RBC, as well as a Star Blanket from the ta-tawâw Student Centre, which was presented by Knowledge Keeper kokum Brenda Dubois.

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