WINNIPEG, MB – Everyone is invited to attend an exciting evening of celebration in support of growing leaders. At this year’s I Heart Celebration The University of Winnipeg will honour two students with the inaugural Tióšpaye Leadership Award to be presented by Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor. The award recognizes Indigenous students for their leadership on campus. Tióšpaye is the Dakota word for “extended family,” and recognizes that we are part of a campus community that nurtures leadership and treats all students as members of our extended UWinnipeg family.
The two award recipients are Kevin Settee, a strong advocate for the inner city who is currently studying Urban and Inner City Studies and Geography at UWinnipeg. He has been instrumental in the development of the new mandatory Indigenous Course Requirement at UWinnipeg. Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie, a tireless community advocate, is from Sagkeeng First Nation and is in her fourth year of Indigenous Studies and Political Science.
“The University of Winnipeg is deeply committed to building bridges between our campus and our community and to finding innovate ways to create pathways into higher education for everyone,” said Trimbee. “We believe in providing opportunities for youth to develop a University-bound identity, which is the goal of our Community Learning programs.”
Settee and Lavoie will each receive a $500 award from the Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew Fund for the promotion of Indigenous Culture, History and Language. The fund was established in 2012 to honour the late Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew, an esteemed member of the UWinnipeg community in his multiple roles as Elder and instructor in the Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance and Master’s in Development Practice.
I HEART CELEBRATION
WHEN: Thursday, April 28, 2016, doors open 6:00 pm
WHERE: The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre,
281 Donald Street
Enjoy the fun carnival atmosphere, dazzle your taste buds with themed cocktails and appetizers, and enjoy live musical performances and presentations.
Purchase tickets online at https://amr-registration.com/i-heart-uwinnipeg/
or contact event coordinators at AMR Events Inc.
Phone: 1-866-200-1698
Email: iheartuwinnipeg@gmail.com
Funds raised at the I Heart Celebration support UWinnipeg’s Community Learning programs and the Opportunity Fund, which specifically supports Indigenous students, new Canadians and refugees, and students from inner-city neighbourhoods, through fast-track bursaries and tuition credits. Since 2007, just over $3.4 million has been raised and 1,845 fast track bursaries have been awarded to students in financial need, supporting more than 250 UWinnipeg graduates to date. Most recently, it also provides tuition waivers to youth leaving the child welfare system, a program pioneered at UWinnipeg now being replicated across the country. More than 52 students have benefited from the Tuition Waiver program since 2012 and four of those students have now graduated with UWinnipeg degrees.
BIOS
Incoming University of Winnipeg Students’ Association President (as of May 1, 2016)
Kevin Settee
Kevin Settee
Kevin Settee is a strong advocate for the health and safety of people in Winnipeg’s inner city and is currently studying Urban and Inner City Studies and Geography at UWinnipeg. He has been instrumental in the development of the mandatory Indigenous Course Requirement, and has been very involved in the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, as the main organizer of two commemorative All Nations Medicine Walks in Winnipeg. Originally from Fisher River Cree Nation and Matheson Island, a small fishing community, he grew up in Winnipeg’s West End. In 2014 he received the City of Winnipeg Harry Lehotsky Scholarship.
Incoming University of Winnipeg Students’ Association Vice-President External Affairs (as of May 1, 2016) – Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie
Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie
Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie is from Sagkeeng First Nation in her fourth year of Indigenous Studies and Political Science. She also served as Co-President of the Aboriginal Student Council and UWSA Aboriginal Co-Director. She has also worked on development of UWinnipeg’s Indigenous Course Requirement.
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
