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News Release

March 21, 2007

Student Receives Provincial Lincoln Alexander Award

A University of Guelph student was among three Ontario young people who received the annual Lincoln M. Alexander Award for Leadership in Eliminating Racial Discrimination today.

Sasha Sky received the award from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration at Queen’s Park. It was presented by Alexander, U of G’s chancellor emeritus, and James K. Bartleman, Ontario’s lieutenant-governor.

The award, created in 1993 to honour Alexander's commitment to youth and promoting racial harmony, is presented to three Ontarians between the ages of 16 and 25 who have provided outstanding leadership in improving racial understanding. Each recipient receives $5,000 and a framed scroll.

Alexander had words of praise for this year’s recipients. "They are leaders and excellent role models for people of all ages because of their accomplishments in promoting racial harmony."

Sky, a first-year family relations student and a University Chancellor’s Scholar, was honoured for exemplary service in a school environment. Originally from Eagle Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario, she helped develop guidelines to aid teachers in integrating aboriginal students into local schools. Last year, she gave a presentation at the Northern Ontario Educational Leadership Conference on the invisibility of aboriginal students in school systems.

Sky is president of the Regional Multicultural Youth Council and chaired a group that co-ordinated a peace march and violence prevention youth rally. This event highlighted youth concerns about gangs, bullying and youth violence.

She is one of two Chancellor’s Scholars at U of G this year. Established in 2002, the scholarships honour Alexander and are awarded to students who are aboriginal, persons with a disability or members of a racial minority, and are intended to enhance student diversity at U of G.