North Battleford’s Hailey Rose has been named a recipient of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program for 2021.
The program provides university scholarships to students who exemplify the humanitarian ideals of Terry Fox by volunteering and giving back to their communities.
A recent graduate of North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS), Rose said it means a lot to be recognized with the award for her efforts to make a positive impact within the community.
“I’m very honoured to have received such a respected award,” Rose said. “It’s a big accomplishment for not only me, but my people as well as an Indigenous woman, and it keeps me motivated and inspired to only do more for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.”
Rose, who grew up in North Battleford, and is from Mosquito-Grizzly Bear’s Head-Lean Man First Nation and Red Pheasant Cree Nation, has been involved with a number of community programs and initiatives both within her home communities and beyond.
Rose is currently in her second year as a National Indigenous Ambassador with the WeMatter Campaign, in addition to helping facilitate workshops across Canada for the Assembly of First Nations and the Students Commission of Canada.
Rose also recently started The Hailey Rose Podcast, which provides an outlet for her to speak about key issues facing Indigenous youth and others today, such as the importance of mental health among other things.
“The issues that Indigenous people face daily all across Canada are still happening, and I want to help create that change to better our future for the next generations,” she said. “At one time in my life, I was looking for the support and comfort that I now give to others, so as long as I’m able to do that, I’ll know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
Following her high school graduation from NBCHS last week, Rose said she hopes to continue her advocacy work through pursuing a degree in politics and law at the University of Saskatchewan. The Terry Fox Humanitarian Program scholarship will provide Rose with $28,000 to put towards her post-secondary education, paid out over four years.
Over 700 students across the country applied for The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program this year, with just 16 recipients. The program was established in 1982 in honour of Terry Fox, one of Canada’s most beloved heroes.
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