Neekaneewak (“they are leading”) Leadership Initiative (NLI)
neekaneewak/nîkânîwak is a Cree/nêhiyaw-itwêwin word that means “they are leading”
Award Recipients
What is NLI?
The Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative (NLI) is an Elder based leadership program that enhances cultural awareness and develop leadership skills in student participants through traditional and current ‘ways of knowing.’
All programs, events, and training opportunities offered through the ta-tawâw Student Centre are intentionally designed to support student leadership development.
RBC $5,000 Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative Award:
Within each of the four categories of the RBC NLI Awards listed below, student nominees will be short-listed to be eligible for the $5,000 RBC award.
To be eligible, each nominee will be asked to submit a 500-word (max) reflection on their leadership development, or the impact the NLI program has had on them, and their pursuit of future endeavours.
One recipient in each category will then be selected from the nominees to be highlighted and receive an award of $5,000 at this year’s awards ceremony. Short-listed nominees will be contacted by the selection committee following the nomination deadline.
Professional Leadership Development
The following four areas lead to successful ‘Professional Leadership Development’ within the Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative:
- The student is currently employed and/or volunteers within a professional work environment.
- The student is developing professional networks and participates in networking opportunities within the campus and larger community.
- The student is developing career-focused skills and training opportunities that contributes toward building their resume.
- The student is engaged in leadership training and/or seeks out mentorship guidance that contributes toward meaningful career opportunities.
Cultural Leadership Development
The following four areas lead to successful ‘Cultural Leadership Development’ within the Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative:
- The student can identify their kinship and ancestral ties to an Indigenous (i.e. First Nation, Inuit, and/or Métis) nation/community/culture.
- The student demonstrates commitment to developing further connection with their culture, language, nation, and/or traditional knowledge.
- The student is exploring their ancestral ways of knowing-being-doing with assistance from community-based resources and Knowledge Keepers.
- The student is developing a helper-based relationship with a ceremonial leader, traditional teacher, language keeper, and/or any other relevant Indigenous cultural leaders.
Academic Leadership Development
The following four areas lead to successful ‘Academic Leadership Development’ within the Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative:
- The student is maintaining good academic standing in university and is achieving a strong grade point average (GPA) across their classes and in program.
- The student is developing a sense of belonging within the university environment and is thriving in their academic field(s) of study.
- The student is setting and reaching academic goals and displaying academic proficiency.
- The student is developing good study habits and participates in University-based opportunities that enhance academic success (e.g. OMA Program, Student Success programming).
Community/Personal Leadership Development
The following four areas lead to successful ‘Community/Personal Leadership Development’ within the Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative:
- The student is developing a social network that actively participates in campus and/or community events, programs, ceremonies, teachings, and initiatives.
- The student is developing a relationship with campus and/or community organizations that assist in building community leadership skills.
- The student is developing and practicing skills that deliver positive outcomes in the face of personal adversity and challenges.
- The student is contributing to established student leadership bodies (e.g. councils, administrations, URSU, organizations, clubs, etc.) at the University and its affiliated campuses.
The NLI leadership outcomes have been identified by our Leadership team (Elders, successful alumni, senior students and students support partners).