The UWinnipeg campus community gathered to celebrate the efforts of Indigenous students, staff, and faculty at the 2026 Honouring Indigenous Achievement (HIA) Awards on March 19.
The Office of Indigenous Engagement honours recipients who model leadership, academic achievement, and community-building. The recipients all contribute to Indigenous excellence at the University of Winnipeg and beyond.
New awards were added to the HIA event this year. The campus community celebrated the first Southern Chiefs’ Organization 25th Anniversary Award recipient, as well as the Indigenous Emerging Research Award and the Indigenous Research Excellence Chair.
Congratulations to all the 2026 Honouring Indigenous Achievement Award recipients.
Meet the 2026 recipients
Brad Blackbird – Southern Chiefs’ Organization Award
Brad Blackbird (he/him) is a Two-Spirit Anishinaabe scholar born in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg) and a registered member of Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation (Treaty 2), with family ties to Red Sucker Lake First Nation (Treaty 5). He is a first-generation university student and is impacted by legacy of the Indian Residential School System. He joined the University of Winnipeg community as a student in 2021 and as the Reference & Indigenous Engagement Assistant in 2024. He has 13 years of experience in library work and is completing a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Human Rights and Honours in Indigenous Studies, with a minor in Religion & Culture. He sits on five committees and serves as co-chair of the Two-Spirit Archives Advisory Council. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Master of Library & Information Science, followed by a PhD in Indigenous Studies.
Em Penner – Staff Award – Less than 10 Years
Em Penner (they/them) is a Cree Indigiqueer writer, editor, and researcher. They are a member of Peguis First Nation based in Winnipeg. Em holds a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communications from UWinnipeg as a 2025 graduate. Informed by the navigation of their own Indigiqueer identity and reconnection to their Indigenous culture, Em’s research explores the rich spectrum of Indigenous queer identities, decolonizing Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer understandings and representations, and restoring their places in community for Indigenous sovereignty. Em is working with Dr. Angela Failler and Dr. Heather Milne as a Senior Research Assistant for the Museum Queeries research cluster in 2025-2026, researching Indigiqueer representations in curatorial spaces in Winnipeg.
Dawnis Kennedy – Faculty Award – Less than 10 Years
Minawaanigogiizhigok/Joyous Day woman/Dawnis Kennedy is a Marten clan woman from Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation and Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice. The knowledge she gained as a mentee of elders, Trudeau Scholar, Visiting Scholar at Shingwauk Kinoomaagewigamig, and Yellowhead Research Fellow, led her to be called as a legal expert on Anishinaabe law, recognized as a trained orator, sanctioned as an Anishinaabe culture based-educator, raised as an Ogijiidaa-kwe (warrior woman/woman of a big heart), acknowledged as a little grandmother, and put to work for those seeking connection through ceremony, language, and community. Her research spans Indigenous law, treaty, culture-based education, oratory, and surviving colonization daily. She seeks and creates opportunities to live life from her heart. In the footsteps of her ancestors, Minawaanigogiizhigok continues to learn and grow, taking joy in this good life and doing what she can to support others who seek to do the same.
Jessica Mousseau – Undergraduate Award
Jessica Mousseau is a Tastatawayihk-iyiniw Otipimisêw (Two-Spirit Michif) student and a proud citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Jessica is of Néhiyaw, Red River Métis and Ukrainian descent, with family roots to White Horse Plains (St. François Xavier), St. Boniface, and the Manitoba Interlake. She is a multilingual linguist, activist, ceremonial helper, song-carrier, and Sundancer. Through her years in the French Studies and Linguistics programs, Jessica has studied interdisciplinary approaches to Indigenous Language Revitalization. Most recently, her research interests focus on the reclamation of Two-Spirit identity, culture and ceremony in the 21st century through intermedial relations between Two-Spirit archives, photography, and French/Michif-French Two-Spirit literatures. Currently working in Indigenous governance, Jessica remains dedicated in continually learning from the Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQI+ communities and supporting them through the professional efforts of advancing inclusive and culturally grounded policies, frameworks, supports, and care.
Ambrose Bushie – Undergraduate Award
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Desmond (Ambrose) Bushie is a member of Hollow Water First Nation. He is a third-year student in the Build From Within program at UWinnipeg, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. After graduating, Ambrose aims to become a teacher in the Winnipeg School Division where he plans to work with inner-city students while incorporating Indigenous knowledge and teachings. As a future educator, Ambrose hopes to make a positive impact on his students, inspired by teachers who have supported him and motivated by a desire to give back to his community. Throughout his time at UWinnipeg and in the Build From Within program, Ambrose has had many experiences he is grateful for and looks forward to bringing into his future classroom.
Maya Tighe – Graduate Award
I am Red River Métis. My family comes from Sagkeeng First Nation and Pointe-Coupée. I was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the place I call home. This community has shaped who I am. When I first came to UWinnipeg ten years ago, I never would have imagined where this journey would lead me. I often aspired to be in a warmer climate but ultimately learned that my home was here. Over the years my time at the University has become an important part of defining and deepening my Métis identity. This process has come through the countless opportunities I have had to learn, reflect, and connect with those around me. I carry a deep appreciation for all of the people I have met who have helped me become the person I am today. As I move forward, I will continue to learn, teach, and uplift those in my community.
Athena Laforte-Lynx – Graduate Award
I am an Anishinaabe-ikwe from Tootinaowaziibeeng (Valley River) in Treaty 4. My sense of belonging shapes who I am and how I show up in university. Reconnecting with culture through my educational journey has deepened my sense of self and strengthened my commitment to relational, community-centred healing. I am deeply grateful to the Indigenous Student Services Centre for their support and for meaningful opportunities to serve as a mentor and ambassador throughout my years as a student. I am currently a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy graduate student UWinnipeg. I strive to practice through Two-Eyed Seeing, integrating Western therapeutic approaches and Anishinaabe worldview into how I sit with people. Guided by intersectionality, cultural humility, and reflection on spirituality and traditional teachings, I am honoured to contribute to community mental health as a practicum student sitting with fellow students (and their families) as they navigate their educational goals.
Sunshyne Pelletier – Ewaaskoziig Anongoonhs/(Bright Star) Award
Sunshyne is a Grade 12 student at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. She is originally from Long Plain First Nation but also loves to visit Little Saskatchewan First Nation. In summer, she enjoys working on the Jordan’s Principle outreach team, organizing community events and working with youth. She has been involved in student council, and currently is the co-owner of her school’s literature club. In 2023, she took part in an exchange trip to Nunavut, where she was immersed in Inuit culture, built meaningful connections, and strengthened her passion of learning new cultures. She also went to Europe with the school’s Flight Club, where she learned Portuguese and Spanish culture. Outside the classroom, Sunshyne competes in singing competitions and in her school’s talent show. She also enjoys reading and music. She hopes to continue her self-improvement and to pursue Indigenous nursing through the Pathways to Indigenous Nursing Education at the University of Manitoba.
Neepekan Hunt – Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre Award
Boozhoo. My father gave me my name; it is Cree for “flower”. I am proud to say my father, Ernest Hunt, is from Pukatawagan, Manitoba and my mother, Peggy Copenace, is from Animakee Wah Zhing, Ontario. I have been sewing and beading for 42 years; I learned from my kokums Orpha Copenace, and Marie Hunt Sinclair. I am a mother to seven and have two grandchildren. When I was a young mom, I would sew star blankets and pow wow regalia to help feed and clothe my children. I think it is vital to share my knowledge and teachings to as many people as I can. Many of my Indigenous relatives are reaching out to reconnect with our Indigenous culture that was dulled by colonialism, residential schools, day school, Sixties Scoop, etc. When I see someone who comes to learn and they are gifted in the traditional arts, I tell them to spark their belief in themself. That’s what happened to me when I was young, and I took that spark and share it with anyone who wants to learn. Miigwetch to Wii Chiiwaakanak for this honor; I have been teaching at the program for many years.
Ashley Sinclair – Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew Scholarship for Culture, History, and Language
Boozhoo, Ashley ndizhinikaaz. Makwa nindoodem. Ditibineya Ziibing indoonjii. Ozhitoon Onji Peenjiie indoonjii. University of Winnipeg omaa gikinoo’amago. Nii kagwe nitaa Anishinaabem. I come from the Bear clan. I am from Rolling River First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory. I am also from the Build From Within (BFW) program in Winnipeg School Division. I go to school at the University of Winnipeg. I am a language learner of Anishinaabemowin. I’m in my fourth year of being in the BFW program, and in my third for my BA/BEd degrees at UWinnipeg. I am majoring in History, and completing my minor in Indigenous studies. I am currently in my third year student teaching in an Ojibwe bilingual classroom. My areas of interest include early years education, inclusive education and Ojibwe/Anishinaabemowin immersion. I plan to become a teacher, become fluent, and to work in a bilingual classroom focused on Ojibwe/Anishinaabemowin. In June 2025, I was awarded the Indigenous Excellence award in Winnipeg School Division, honouring Program Excellence on behalf of BFW. In November 2025, I was awarded at the Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards for Indigenous Language Teacher.
Simon DePasquale – The University of Winnipeg Weweni Future Scholar Award
Simon DePasquale grew up with a love for the outdoors and, in particular, fish and fishing. That passion has trickled into his studies where his love of fish and science meet. A member of the Upper Mohawk band, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Simon has excelled at every level of his studies and is now pursuing research with a goal to protect and manage Indigenous fisheries. During his MSc, Simon worked alongside Inuit researchers in Kugluktuk, Nunavut to study the health of fish populations that the community relies on culturally and for sustenance. Now pursuing his PhD at the UWinnipeg, Simon is grateful to be supported by the Weweni Future Scholars Award while researching the movement ecology of Lake Sturgeon populations in Lake Winnipeg and the Winnipeg River. Lake Sturgeon are critically important to Indigenous peoples across Canada and are also endangered, highlighting their need for conservation.
Dr. Ashley Hayward – Indigenous Emerging Research Award
Dr. Ashley Hayward is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Health at UWinnipeg. A citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation with family roots in St. François Xavier, her work focuses on Indigenous health, reproductive justice, and community-led approaches to research. Dr. Hayward’s research examines how social systems such as housing, child welfare, and access to care shape the health and well-being of Indigenous families. She works closely with community partners, including the Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre of Winnipeg and Zoongizi’Odé, to support initiatives that strengthen family wellness and improve culturally grounded supports. Her projects include the development of an Urban Indigenous Doula Program and research on advocacy supports within the child welfare system. Dr. Hayward’s work emphasizes relational accountability, Indigenous research ethics, and translating research into practical programs that respond to community priorities and lived experience.
Dr. Yvonne Vizina – Indigenous Research Excellence Chair
Dr. Yvonne Vizina, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, teaches courses on Indigenous Education, Indigenous Pedagogies, and Sustainable Development. For the past few years, she has been researching traditional Indigenous teachings in Canada about human relationships with the Earth, including how those relationships affect our personal and collective well-being. She has a PhD in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Saskatchewan, where she researched traditional Indigenous concepts of sustainability and their applications in post-secondary education programs across Canada. Her research has been honoured by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, the leading association for sustainability in higher education, made up of over 900 members across the USA, Canada, and 20 other countries. Yvonne is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation and is a descendant of the Vezina, Halcro, Fidler, and Monkman families, among many others.
