Celebrating Indigenous Achievement at the 2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards

The 19th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards gala was held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre last Friday, February 24th. This national awards ceremony recognizes the highest levels of achievement for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. This year, fifteen recipients were selected, and special recognition went to a lifetime achiever and two outstanding youths. The initiative of the awards ceremony is to not only recognize and celebrate Indigenous talent and achievement across the nation, but also to provide role models for Indigenous youth to pursue and achieve their dreams.

The 2012 recipients for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards were: Earl Cook, Victor S. Buffalo, Leona Makokis, Grand Chief Edward John, Richard Wagamese, Dr. Janet Smylie, Violet Ford, Richard Peter, Minnie Grey, Adam Beach, Dave Courchene, The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Richard Stewart Hardy, Candace Sutherland and Senator Gerry St. Germain.

NAAF is widely known for raising awareness and support for Indigenous education and achievement. Since 1985, the Foundation has distributed over $42.7 million to Canada's Aboriginal Youth through scholarships and bursaries, dynamic career fairs and education programs to more than 11,500 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide.

Photo: 2012 NAAA Recipient, Adam Beach