Thank you to the post-COVID Challenge

Mentors

The post-COVID Challenge was conceived, championed, and supported by Fulbright Canada Board member Ajay Royan. It is the signature program of Fulbright Canada’s 30th Anniversary commitment to encourage, celebrate, and support bright young leaders with diverse perspectives and unique ideas. This would not have been possible without the generous support of our partners, mentors, and, most notably, the remarkable young leaders and innovators that offered their ideas for a better world.

Indigenous-led, Indigenous-informed

Honouring Nations Canada (HNC), a Fulbright Canada initiative, was established in 2021 to recognize, celebrate and share examples of Indigenous achievement. Indigenous-led and Indigenous-informed, this initiative supports research and promotes knowledge sharing by creating national awards that recognize exceptional achievement and underwrite case studies of Indigenous issues and Indigenous economic development. Sharing the governance and leadership stories and successes of Indigenous nations not only expands the knowledge and capabilities of nation-builders everywhere, but also provides a forum to learn from the experience of fellow Indigenous nations. Additionally, it aims to foster mutual understanding for non-Indigenous policymakers, media, and the general public on transformative Indigenous leadership and the importance of self-determination.

Recently we mourned the loss of Bill Montour, President of Nativelands Community Development and former Chief of Six Nations. Bill played a crucial role in advancing the creation of Honouring Nations Canada and, as stated by Robin McLay, he “had a profound impact on the lives of many Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and was driven by his strong values and a conviction that education was a key determinant of social progress, economic prosperity, and reconciliation.” Fulbright Canada wants to recognize Bill for his dedication to community and progress.

The Circle of Advisors play a critical role in the continued success of the Honouring Nations Canada Initiative and none of the work ahead will be possible without their guidance. So too do the dedicated staff responsible for this initiative - Candace Wasacase-Lafferty, Kassandra Sison, and Robin McLay.

Honouring Nations Canada Circle of Advisors