Golden Hills student recognized by Alberta Schools Boards Association

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Several Indigenous students from across Alberta were recognized, April 20, by the Alberta School Boards Association for merits both in and out of their respective schools. 

Among the dozen award recipients was eight-year-old Luke Katona, a Westmount Elementary School student, who was selected representing the Golden Hills School Division.

“We choose one student from each of the grades, one to 12, from all across the province. There were over 300 applicants and students can get nominated by their peers, their teachers, their community,” said Shali Baziuk, president of the Alberta School Boards Association. “The awards are because they have demonstrated great leadership, academics, and pride in their cultural identity and the ability to share that.”

 Each student was presented with a $2,500 scholarship to be set aside for when they are to begin their journeys through post-secondary education, as well as a blanket. 

Baziuk explained the awards were in part made possible through donated funds from Keyera, as well as sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Childcare. 

Since its inception in 2018, the awards have grown from an approximate 200 students nominated annually, to this year being over 300 suggested for recognition. 

“It is getting harder and harder to choose because these kids are all so incredible. They, at every age, demonstrate leadership and commitment and share their culture while keeping up their academics,” said Baziuk. “The mood in the room today was immense pride … this was started through our Indigenous advisory committee and them wanting to honour students in some way.”

The ceremony itself featured a smudging, musicians, and a procession lead by the students about to receive their awards. 

Students, should they have chosen to do so, were allowed respective opportunities to give speeches of their own upon receipt of their recognitions.

Lisa Katona, Luke’s mother, explained he had been nominated to receive an award by the Golden Hills School Division Indigenous Liaison, Megan Big Snake. 

“He is a role model for his culture, showing his powwow dancing, hoop dancing, and his extracurriculars in school and within the nation,” said Lisa. 

“He is part of the Book Eggs club, and he is the Westmount Warrior for the Westmount School, and he is a hoop dancer and a fancy dancer.”

Katona joked that despite not immediately knowing what will be done with the scholarship to preserve it for future schooling, she was exposing Luke to the idea of becoming a doctor. 

Luke is the only student this year from the Wheatland County region, including Siksika Nation, to be recognized.