PATHWAYS | 44

A TRIP
FOR A
LIFETIME

Composite High School student

TehyaMassan and her father
Jeffreyattended the annual Indspire
Awards. Its about accepting the
challenges and not letting anything get
in the way of your dreams, says Tehya.

Sometimes a bus ride simply takes

you from point A to point B. Other
times, it can take you to destinations
you never dreamed were possible.
Indeed, when 14 Aboriginal youth from
Wood Buffalo travelled to the Indspire
Awards and youth career conference
inCalgary this past February, the bus
door opened up to reveal new ideas and
possibilities. The trip and free attendance
was provided by Syncrude to students
from Father Patrick Mercredi and
Composite High Schools.
The Indspire Awards celebrate the
contributions of Aboriginal people in
Canada who demonstrate outstanding
achievement and serve asinvaluable role
models. The youth conference exposes
youth to new careers and post-secondary
education opportunities, while meeting
industry professionals.

I really liked hearing the inspiring stories.

Ive had personal hardships throughout
high school just like many of the speakers,
and its amazing to see how far theyve
gone in life, says Tehya Massan, who
attended the conference with her father,
Jeffrey, and graduated from Composite
High School this year. Its about accepting
the challenges and not letting anything
get in the way of your dreams.
It was electrifying, describes Jeffrey, a
Syncrude process operator. Both the
students and I had no idea what we were
in for. I think it opened a whole new world
for these kids.
Jeffrey was thankful for the opportunity
to chaperone the event, and believes the
students walked away with a greater
connection to their roots. On the bus ride
down everyone sat spread out, but on the
way home the students were clustered

together, bonding over their experience,

he says. The diverse Indigenous cultures
the kids were exposed to were
phenomenal and let them know the
opportunities out there for them.
A report released by Indspire this year
shows that 93 per cent of Indigenous
students who receive funding for their
education earn a post-secondary
credential, and 82 per cent of those
graduates find work. Indspire is the
largest funder of Indigenous education
outside of the federal government.
Syncrude supports the annual Indspire
Awards, which helps raise funds that
deliver educational programs and provide
the necessary tools for the advancement
of Indigenous people in Canada.

CONGRATULATIONS MRS. ELSIE YANIK

Beloved Mtis Elder
receives Indspire 2015
Lifetime Achievement award

till very active at 97,

Mtis Elder Elsie
Yanik was honoured
with the 2015 Indspire Lifetime
Achievement award for her 80
years of work helping others.

Shes been a nurses aide,

minister, mentor and volunteer.
Shes also been a tireless
promoter of health and
education, as well as a fierce
advocate for the preservation of
Aboriginal culture. She advises
Keyano College and teaches
classes at Fort McMurrays
Golden Years Society.

Above all, shes known for the

kindness offered to everyone
whose life she has touched.
We think thats a life worth
celebrating and extend
heartfelt congratulations to
Elsie on this well-deserved
recognition.