Kevin Chief with Eco-U Kids
WINNIPEG, MB – A dedicated University of Winnipeg community educator who inspires inner-city children to reach for their dreams, Kevin Chief tonight is receiving the prestigious Premier’s Volunteer Service Award. Chief is coordinator of UWinnipeg’s Innovative Learning Centre, which brings hundreds of children onto campus each year through the Eco-Kids programs to assist them in reaching their academic potential.
“Kevin Chief came to The University of Winnipeg on a basketball scholarship and his leadership ability was immediately apparent,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President & Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “Reaching out to Aboriginal and inner-city youth to encourage and support them to stay in school so that we can begin closing the graduation gap is more than a job to Kevin. It is his passion. The entire UWinnipeg community congratulates Kevin for this well-deserved award.”
Chief obtained a BA in justice and law and is currently working on his MA in education at UWinnipeg.
2009 Premier’s Volunteer Services Awards
The Premier’s Office, in cooperation with Volunteer Manitoba, established this award to honour the efforts and dedication of outstanding volunteers in Manitoba; presented to five exceptional individual volunteers whose efforts have contributed significantly to the quality of life in their communities.
Kevin Chief
Growing up in Winnipeg’s inner city, Kevin Chief knew what it meant to not have a lot of material possessions but the love of his family and passion for sports projected him to a university career and pursue a leadership role within his community. A recognized member of the Aboriginal community, Chief is a passionate individual and is involved as a volunteer with numerous organizations and an outstanding role model for many Aboriginal children and youth alike.
Passionate about serving the Aboriginal community, Chief’s involvement on a number of boards and committee is one way he is able to influence change is his community. He has volunteered with the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg since 2005, sat on the proposal selection committee for the Centre of Aboriginal Human Resource Development, sits on the Board for Neeginan Development Corporation, was the volunteer basketball coach of Team Manitoba at the 2002 North American Indigenous Games and is the Métis Pavilion Coordinator at Folkorama.
Other volunteer activities and accomplishments
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Board Director of the North End Housing Project
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Volunteer/Advisor with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission
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Presenter at numerous conferences & workshops
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, C: 204.293.1167, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
