Alumni of Influence recipients making an impact on communities

Five individuals who made significant impacts on their communities have been selected as recipients of the 2025 College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence (AOI) Awards.

This year’s AOI recipients include Canadian Paralympian Nikita Ens (BSc’11), energy sector expert and a respected member of the Métis Nation of Alberta Peter McPherson (BA’91), professional public speaker and award-winning theatre artist Heather Morrison (BFA’08), Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation Chief Felix Thomas (BSPE’88, BA’90) and leading European history expert and author Robert J. Young (BA’63, MA’65).

The AOI Awards celebrate and recognize outstanding alumni from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Arts and Science. The recipients’ remarkable achievements and contributions have an impact on their respective fields, communities, and the university.

“The College of Arts and Science is proud to celebrate this year's recipients of the Alumni of Influence Awards,” said Dr. Brooke Milne (PhD), dean of the College of Arts and Science.

“Each award winner has demonstrated positive and transformative impacts throughout their respective careers,” she added. “Their achievements, leadership, and commitment to service for the betterment of others inspire us all within the College of Arts and Science to be what the world needs.” 

The five 2025 AOI recipients join the ranks of more than 150 members who have been inducted since 2009. This is a special tradition and the highest honour for alumni at the college level.

Recipients will be presented with their awards at individualized celebratory events throughout the year, with family, friends, colleagues, and other invited guests.

If there is a College of Arts and Science graduate who is making an impact in their community, submit a recommendation. Recommendations can be submitted at any time during the year.

Nikita Ens (BSc’11)

Nikita Ens is a decorated Canadian Paralympian who competed at the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2021 and Paris in 2024.

Ens grew up in Meadow Lake, Sask., and graduated from USask in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She worked as a registered nurse and excelled in athletics as a swimmer, a provincial high school shot put champion, a cross-Canada cyclist, a marathon runner, and a rock and ice climber. In 2014, she became paralyzed in an automobile collision.

While adapting to life as a quadriplegic, Ens discovered para-swimming in 2017 through the Saskatoon Lasers Swim Club. She soon found success in the sport, setting Canadian records by 2019 and earning spots on the Canadian Paralympic Team at the 2021 and 2024 Paralympic Games. Ens holds nine national swim records and is a 2022 World Championship silver medalist in the 50-metre breaststroke. At the 2024 Paralympics, she placed ninth in the 50-metre backstroke S3 and 15th in the 100-metre freestyle S3. Ens was also a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2023.

Peter McPherson (BA’91)

Peter McPherson is an esteemed energy sector expert and a respected member of the Métis Nation of Alberta who firmly believes in the importance of fostering strong community relationships for project and operational success. He is dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities to become effective partners and advocates for their interests in energy projects that impact them.

Since obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in geography from USask in 1991, McPherson has worked extensively in Western Canada’s energy and resources sector and volunteered in various community service leadership roles. He has served on the Board of Hillhurst United Church, co-chaired the Reconciliation Action Team with the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good and served as president of the Métis Nations of Alberta Local 87 Calgary. He is currently a board member of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Calgary and an elected district councilor with Calgary Elbow Métis District 6.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Peter has maintained a lifelong passion for arts and culture, recognizing their profound impact on individual, community and societal well-being.

Heather Morrison (BFA’08)

Heather Morrison is the founder and president of Deliver Your Best Coaching, where her signature program transforms even the most nervous people into confident speakers. Morrison graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama from USask in 2008. She previously received a 2014 USask Alumni Achievement Award for her volunteerism and artistic contributions, and was named one of CBC’s Future 40 in 2016.

Before founding her company, Morrison was the co-founder and former artistic producer of Sum Theatre, an award-winning theatre artist, a radio host, an associate producer and a sought-after emcee. She spent three years with CBC as well as three years as a commercial radio on-air host. She continues to work as a sideline reporter for sports in Western Canada and has been featured on numerous platforms, including national coverage on TSN and ESPNU. Morrison has more than 100,000 followers on her Instagram page, where she teaches about public speaking and attracts clients from all over the world. Outside of work, Morrison’s passions include running and volunteering as the head coach of her son’s U11 soccer team.

Felix Thomas (BSPE’88, BA’90)

Chief Felix Thomas has been an instrumental part of First Nations governance and management for more than 30 years. Born and raised on the Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Thomas graduated from Pleasantdale School prior to attending USask. He earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1988 and a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous studies in 1990.

Thomas is currently Chief of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, having previously served in the role from 1993–99 and from 2003–08. He was executive director of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations’ Health and Social Development Commission from 1999–2002. He served as Tribal Chief of Saskatoon Tribal Council for nine years, until 2017. Over the years, Thomas has served on numerous national, regional and local volunteer boards, including as chair of the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs Committee on Health and chair of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. He is currently chair of Wanuskewin Heritage Park and First Nations Power Authority. Thomas is married to Dawne Thomas and has four children and two grandchildren.

Robert J. Young (BA’63, MA’65)

Dr. Robert J. Young (PhD) is a leading Canadian expert on 20th-century European history and a nationally acclaimed teacher.

Born in Moose Jaw, Sask., Young completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in 1963 and a Master of Arts in 1965 from USask before obtaining a PhD from the London School of Economics in 1969. He had a 40-year career as a faculty member at the University of Winnipeg, where he is currently a professor emeritus and a fellow of United College.

Young’s 1991 monograph, Power and Pleasure: Louis Barthou and the Third French Republic, won the Wallace K. Ferguson Prize from the Canadian Historical Association for the best book in non-Canadian history. Young received major awards for both research and teaching from his university and earned national recognition with the 1996 Canadian Professor of the Year Award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.

Young is the author of nine academic books and three novels, most recently Murder in a Minor Key (2024). In 2023, he received the College and University Retiree Associations of Canada Tribute Award.

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