THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

The Indigenous Community Impact Award recognizes alumni whose outstanding contribution has demonstrated engagement and impact within First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis communities through contributions to public policy, volunteerism or activism, and to the advancement of higher education within these communities.

One of the 2022 recipients was Elizabeth Peterson, a Métis mental health professional. Elizabeth is making a difference in the lives of students, especially Indigenous students, at the Peace Wapiti Public School Division. She has made intentional efforts to bridge the Indigenous community with the broader community by enhancing connection and understanding.

Elizabeth works as a Community School Liaison Counselor with Peace Wapiti Public School Division. Originally from High Prairie, Alberta, Elizabeth moved to Grande Prairie when she was 18 to pursue her education at what was then GPRC. She believes that making sure children are supported with their mental health when they are younger will lead to children that grow up to be positive adults.

Joseph Redhead also received the Indigenous Community Impact Award in 2022. Joseph is a Registered Status Indian of Grande Prairie, and a band member of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. He is a local Indigenous role model and is highly regarded amongst his peers. Today, Joseph is viewed as a local trailblazer in selflessly volunteering in Grande Prairie for 41 years in the areas of social service and culture. Joseph attended NWP from 1998-2000 studying in the Bachelor of Science program. He went on to study at the University of Alberta, where he decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Since the completion of his program in 2004, Joseph has been working as a nurse in his home community of Sturgeon Lake, Alberta. He credits our institution as being instrumental in guiding him along his academic and professional career path.

The Steps To The Greater Alumni Award

The Steps to the Greater Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of NWP alumni early in their careers.

This past year it was awarded to Jesse Griffin. Currently an Alberta Health Services Team Lead, Jesse Griffin graduated from our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 2018. Right away, Jesse jumped into a career serving his community. In his role at AHS, he has and continues to play a vital part in assisting with many local public health efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jesse believes that nursing is a versatile pathway for anyone looking for a career in making a difference in people’s lives.

The Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award was established to recognize NWP alumni for outstanding accomplishments in their professions, and/or in service to their community, society, or NWP. Yuri Smith was the 2022 recipient. Yuri Smith began his educational journey in NWP’s Business Administration program and has been named on the Top 5 under 35 entrepreneurs list. He has made a successful career in our region by opening both a brokerage (Grassroots Reality Group) and a marketing company (GP3D Marketing), and is currently working to achieve his Master of Business Administration specializing in Real

Estate Consulting. Yuri is a true humanitarian at heart, which is evident through his initiatives to give back to his community. He created the Roots Foundation at his brokerage where funds given are used to pay it forward. Grassroots made it onto Maclean’s Canadian Business Magazine Top Startup list in 2020. This was an exciting accomplishment for Yuri, as he is determined to put Grande Prairie on the map, and he wants to do so through entrepreneurship.

The Board Of Governors Award Of Distinction

The Board of Governors Award of Distinction is NWP’s highest tribute to individuals or groups within our community. This award has been established to honour individuals whose actions have made exceptional contributions to our community and to the advancement of higher education. The 2022 award recipient was Natalia Reiman. As one of the youngest individuals to be Chair, she served for three years on the Board of Governors and played an important advocacy role in getting the institution onto its polytechnic and degree-granting journey.

Natalia is dedicated to strengthening the institution’s community connections and impact. Her skills in leadership, and her tireless efforts and dedication to post-secondary education, and relationship building have benefited NWP greatly. Natalia is a lawyer at a female-led law firm. Growing up in a rural northern community, Natalia truly believes in the importance of post-secondary education and the impact it can make on people’s lives and the region.

Like so many things at NWP, our Community and Alumni Awards are evolving. Please visit NWP.me/Awards to learn more about new awards for the exceptional.

By continually exploring new opportunities for industry collaboration and partnership, NWP will stay ahead of workforce needs, accelerate innovation, and provide cutting-edge and career-focused learning experiences for our students.

SUPPORTING LONG-TERM VALUE

Today, partnerships with industry are at the heart of everything we do, and we are grateful to the organizations who value NWP’s role in our region’s economic growth and long-term success.

Investing In Future Talent

In March 2022, staff, faculty, students, government leaders, and community members gathered to celebrate the final transition of Grande Prairie Regional College into Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP). The excitement generated by the official launch of NWP’s new direction was further strengthened by the announcement of two significant contributions by industry partners.

Spartan Controls, a recognized provider of industrial automation solutions in Western Canada, was recognized for a recent partnership enabling NWP instrumentation and control technician apprenticeship students to receive the bulk of their training right in Spartan’s leadingedge facility. This move allows students to be fully immersed in their new career with access to the latest industry tools and technology.

In addition to the Spartan partnership, a generous $1 million donation by Grande Prairie’s ARC Resources Ltd. was announced. This community investment facilitated the return of NWP’s first year Bachelor of Engineering University Transfer program.

“This program plays an integral role in improving access to high-quality and relevant educational opportunities for students in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area,” said Terry Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, ARC Resources Ltd. “We are proud to partner with Northwestern Polytechnic and support the development of top talent for the future workforce in this thriving region.”

In June 2022, NWP and Pipestone Energy Corp. announced two new scholarships dedicated to helping students in their first year of postsecondary studies.

The Pipestone Entrance Scholarships are geared towards any students looking to start their educational journey at the institution with two full-ride first-year entrance scholarships available.

The first is a scholarship to the Bachelor of Engineering program, while the second is a first-year scholarship to an Indigenous student for any credit program at the institution.

“Pipestone Energy Corp. is committed to supporting long term value within our communities through enduring connections,” says Chris Soby, Director Land & Stakeholder Relations. “These scholarships have been established to encourage the continued development and success of the next generation of professionals in northwestern Alberta.”

Boosting Capacity And Access

NWP’s commercial driver training programs picked up speed thanks to a new partnership with Diversified Transportation Ltd. that will expand the Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) course offerings and accessibility.

“Our MELT program has always been popular, providing immediate skills and qualifications to Class 1 and Class 3 commercial drivers,” says Dr. Vanessa Sheane, Acting President and CEO. “These in-demand courses are often oversubscribed so we are pleased that, with Diversified’s help, we can now accommodate more students and do even more to address growing workforce needs.”

In addition to making a new training vehicle available to NWP’s growing fleet, Diversified Transport Ltd. will be boosting teaching capacity by providing access to a qualified Class 2 instructor. This is the first time that a Class 2 program will be offered locally.

“This partnership is great news for the region and the transportation industry as a whole,” says Tim Lindsay, VP Employee Transportation, Diversified Transport Ltd. “We are pleased to be able to contribute in a meaningful way that we know will deliver significant employment, economic, and community benefits.”

NWP welcomes all contributions. Please reach out to Giving@nwpolytech.ca to discuss how you can further support our learning community.