Ten Indigenous College of Arts and Science students honoured with USask achievement awards

From academic achievements, to giving back to community and overcoming challenges, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) honoured Indigenous students for their accomplishments.

The USask Indigenous Student Achievement Awards recognize Indigenous students for their achievements including academic excellence, leadership, research, community engagement and resiliency. The ceremony is part of USask Indigenous Achievement Week (IAW), which celebrates the successes and contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, staff, faculty and alumni. This year’s IAW was held from March 10-14.

2025 Indigenous Student Award Winners—College of Arts and Science

Academic Excellence Award

For students who have excelled in their academic studies at USask. 

Laura Clark-Favel (She/Her)
BACHELOR OF ARTS, INDIGENOUS STUDIES
Poundmaker First Nation and Waterhen First Nation
Laura Clark-Favel is a proud member of Poundmaker Cree Nation and has additional ties to Waterhen Lake Cree Nation. Laura grew up in Northern Saskatchewan and is in her third year of university, majoring in Indigenous studies while pursuing a path in medicine. Laura is passionate about equitable healthcare and culturally safe practices to promote Indigenous health and well-being. She is currently in the admissions process for UBC’s MD undergraduate program.

Ronan Inkster (They/Them)
INDIGENOUS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PATHWAYS, MUSIC
Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Gabriel Dumont Local 11
Ronan Inkster is a second-year music education student from Saskatoon, and a proud two-spirit citizen of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. They grew up playing the fiddle (as well as other instruments) and started reclaiming their Michif heritage in high school. Today, Ronan is enthusiastic in bringing what they know about Michif music and history into the setting of music education.

Community Engagement

For students who have made significant contributions to an Indigenous or non-Indigenous community. 

Jolon Lafond (He/Him) 
SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Jolon Lafond is a citizen of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation located in Treaty Six Territory and a father of three children. He is a fourth-year student in the School for the Arts, focusing on visual, digital, and community-engaged art. Jolon brings deep empathy and creative vision to his role as Executive Director for Saskatoon’s White Buffalo Youth Lodge and sits as Chair for the Community Advisory Board on Saskatoon Homelessness and the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Land Advisory Authority.

Leadership

For students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership on or off-campus.

Eric McAllister (He/Him)
INDIGENOUS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PATHWAYS
BACHELOR OF ARTS, POLITICAL STUDIES
Métis Nation Saskatchewan
Eric McAllister is a proud citizen of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. Originally from Yorkton, he is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies. Eric plans to pursue law school in the upcoming year with a goal of working in Aboriginal law or as a public defender. He spends a lot of time outside of school volunteering and is co-founder and president of the Métis Students of USask, which fosters and promotes Métis community on campus, and is former vice-president of Métis Local 126.

Lexus Neil (She/Her)
INDIGENOUS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PATHWAYS
BACHELOR OF ARTS, PSYCHOLOGY
Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Local 9
Lexus Neil is a member of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Local 9. Lexus grew up in Prince Albert and has lived in Saskatoon for the last eight years. She has taken a leadership role in the College of Arts and Science as an ISAP peer mentor and champion of interdisciplinary dialogue through the arts. Lexus is majoring in psychology and hopes to obtain a Certificate in Indigenous Governance and Politics this winter semester.

Tianna Sangwais (She/Her)
OFFICE OF THE VICE PROVOST INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT
BACHELOR OF ARTS, SOCIOLOGY - INDIGENOUS JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY Ochapowace Nation and Zagime Anishnabek
During her time at USask, Tianna has been a leader for community change. She serves as a Building Intercultural Resilience Mentorship Program (BIRM) mentor, developing post-secondary pathways for Indigenous high school students, and as a career peer educator. She was also a mentor with the inaugural Indigenous Summer Institute under the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement. Additionally, she leads the student advocacy and support portfolio for the Indigenous Students’ Union, instructs Powwow classes at the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, serves as the traditions liaison for the Indigenous Business Students’ Society, and advises several campus initiatives as a student representative. Tianna is proud of her culture and identity and strives to create spaces and opportunities for all students to build a strong community on and off campus. She brings her passion for advocacy and representation into both her studies and extracurricular activities.

Research

For students who undertook unique or compelling undergraduate or graduate research.

Erin Baril (She/Her) 
BACHELOR OF ARTS, BIOLOGY/BIOCHEMISTRY
Muskoday First Nation
Erin is a Saskatoon-based member of Muskoday First Nation, completing a double honours biology/ biochemistry program. She has held two NSERC USRA awards, with the Wood-Simko Honeybee Health lab and the McLoughlin Population Ecology lab. She has supported her USask community in volunteer capacities with VASU, Beading with Aunty and the library PAL program.

Ailah Carpenter (All | They/Them) 
SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
Stanley Mission - Lac La Ronge Indian Band
Ailah Carpenter is a mixed-Indigenous, two-spirit artist specializing in visual and digital arts. A member of Stanley Mission (Lac La Ronge Indian Band), Ailah uplifts Indigenous perspectives in their BFA program while creating opportunities for their peers through initiatives like the Mix Print Collective. Ailah harnesses the qualities of their preferred creative media to emphasize the interplay of light and dark, exploring self and what it means to live between societal norms.

Resiliency

For an upper-year student, who is on track to graduate, who has overcome significant personal challenges to succeed in their studies. 

Fallon Fulton (She/Her)
BACHELOR OF ARTS, POLITICAL STUDIES
Métis Nation
Fallon Fulton is a third-year Métis political studies student, focusing her program on Indigenous rights and social justice. Driven by a desire to advocate for marginalized communities, Fallon aspires to use her education to influence policy, advance equity, build better international relations, and create meaningful social change.

Bianca Martell-Allary (She/Her)
GORDON OAKES RED BEAR STUDENT CENTRE
Waterhen Lake First Nation
Bianca Martell-Allary is a second-year Arts and Science student from Waterhen Lake Cree Nation. She is passionate about her culture and enjoys jingle dress dancing. When she’s not in class, she likes staying active at the gym and spending time at the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, connecting with fellow students. Bianca is also active in the Indigenous Students’ Union, advocating for Indigenous voices on campus.

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