Indigenous College of Arts and Science students honoured for academic, personal achievements

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has honoured 13 Indigenous Arts and Science students, recognizing their accomplishments from academic excellence in mathematics, to tutoring, to advocacy for youth wellbeing.

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 9-13.

2026 Indigenous Student Award Winners – College of Arts and Science

Academic Excellence Award

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

Gunner Bressette (He/Him)
HONORS MATHEMATICS
Chippewa - Kettle and Stony Point First Nation
Gunner is Chippewa from Kettle and Stony Point First Nations, Ontario. Gunner has a wife and two step-children and has been serving in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 10 years. Three years in the Army and over seven years in the Air Force. He is now completing this degree to become a Communications and Electronics Engineer Officer. Gunner chose Mathematics as his major because he has loved math from a very young age.

Community Engagement

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

Tyrell Hardlotte (He/Him)
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Lac La Ronge
Tyrell Hardlotte is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. From a young age, he has connected with his Indigenous background through music experiences, exploring nature and being a part of the Saskatoon musical community. As an oboist, Tyrell has appeared with many groups and larger orchestra ensembles across Saskatchewan. During his free time, Tyrell loves going outside, fishing, and listening to the soundscapes of nature.

Sawyer Kopec (He/Him)
BIOLOGY
AWARDED BY THE OFFICE OF THE VICE-PROVOST INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT
Métis Nation Saskatchewan
Sawyer Kopec is a proud Willow Bunch Métis and a registered citizen of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan. His story Is grounded in culture, responsibility and deep commitment to community. He is currently in his fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with plans to pursue a career in medicine. Throughout his academic journey, Sawyer has remained dedicated to serving both his university community and the broader Saskatoon community.

Sawyer currently serves as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Métis Student’s Union where he advocates for Métis Students and strengthens relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities on campus. Beyond his academic commitments, Sawyer volunteers regularly at the Friendship Inn in Saskatoon, where he helps prepare and serve food to vulnerable community members. Sawyer also leads a personal project in which he creates and donates ribbon skirts, recently to Camponi’s Indigenous Housing’s Transitions Program. Through both leadership and hands-on service, Sawyer remains committed to uplifting and contributing to Indigenous communities.

Mackenzie Naytowhow (She/Her)
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
AWARDED BY THE PRINCE ALBERT CAMPUS
Montreal Lake
Mackenzie Naytowhow is a proud First Nations woman from Montreal Lake Cree Nation and a first-year Bachelor of Science student in Biomedical Science at the University of Saskatchewan. A dedicated student-athlete, Mackenzie balanced academic excellence with competing on multiple basketball teams and in competitive speed swimming, while also earning her coaching certification and mentoring youth in sport. She volunteers with the In the Hands of Children breakfast program, helping prepare hundreds of meals for children each month. Guided by the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and inspired by her family’s legacy in Indigenous education, Mackenzie hopes to pursue a career in physiotherapy or medicine to support athletes and inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their dreams.

Syndel Thomas Kozar (Other)
INDIGENOUS STUDIES AND WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES, ENGLISH
AWARDED BY THE OFFICE OF THE VICE-PROVOST INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT
One Arrow First Nation
Syndel Thomas Kozar is a Two-Spirit, neurodivergent néhiyaw (Plains Cree) and white settler artist, scholar, advocate, and community builder. A band member of One Arrow First Nation, they are from Melfort, Saskatchewan on Treaty 6 Territory. Syndel is completing a Double Honours Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, with a minor in English and a Certificate in the Study mjknk1q, of Indigenous Storytelling.
Syndel’s work bridges art, storytelling, advocacy, and community-engaged scholarship, shaped by lived experience, kinship, and responsibility to community. Raised by her Granny and late Papa, residential and day school survivors, their creative and academic practice is grounded in cultural renewal, accessibility, and care. Their interdisciplinary practice spans writing, beadwork, ribbon wear, and visual art, using creative expression as a tool for reflection, connection, and cultural continuity.
Alongside their academic and artistic work, Syndel is an active Indigenous youth advocate at local, national, and international levels. They have represented Indigenous youth in policy and advocacy spaces, including participation in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 70 (CSW70), contributing to conversations on gender justice, Indigenous rights, and community-led solutions grounded in lived experience. Their advocacy centres the voices of Indigenous youth and gender-diverse people and emphasizes the importance of community-informed approaches to policy and social change.
Syndel is the creator of Just a Child in Canada and the co-founder of Crafting Kinship, national initiatives focused on youth wellbeing, cultural reclamation, and community care. Through arts-based programming, facilitation, and public education, Syndel continues to build spaces that foster connection, belonging, and collective strength, while contributing to more just, creative, and connected futures.

Leadership

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

Connor Clarke (He/Him)
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
AWARDED BY INDIGENOUS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PATHWAYS
Métis - Buffalo Narrows
Connor Clarke (he/him) is a proud Métis from Buffalo Narrows, SK, and a second-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Foundations program, with a long-term goal of practicing dentistry with a focus on equitable care to Northern communities. Connor is a peer mentor with ISAP learning communities team.

Meghan Nicole-Morin (She/Her)
ANTHROPOLOGY
Métis
Meghan-Nicole Morin is a dedicated Métis student from North Battleford, SK. On campus, she works as an Archives Intern through Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, is a tutor and business partner in Prairie Roots Tutoring, and considers herself a lifelong learner. She is currently a Co-President for the Visual Arts Students Union (VASU) on campus and has lead initiatives in creating safe spaces for communities.

Chelsea Ochoa (She/Her)
PSYCHOLOGY
AWARDED BY THE OFFICE OF VICE-PROVOST ENGAGEMENT
Métis Nation Saskatchewan
Chelsea Ochoa is a proud Métis woman from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology. Formerly Chelsea Fiddler, she comes from a strong Métis lineage on both sides of her family. Since the formation of the Métis Students of USASK in 2022, Chelsea has served as an executive member and now holds the role of President, where she has played a key role in strengthening the Métis student community on campus. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including hands-on workshops, cooking lessons and a vibrant Jamboree, which have created meaningful spaces for cultural learning and connection.
A dedicated advocate for Métis students, Chelsea serves on both the Indigenous Student Advisory Council and the Indigenous Student Leadership Community, ensuring Métis perspectives are represented in institutional decision-making. In addition to her leadership, Chelsea has supported fellow students as a USTEP peer mentor and as a teaching assistant for multiple courses. Following graduation, Chelsea plans to pursue graduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan, continuing her commitment to research, advocacy and community empowerment.

Paris Oleksyn (She/Her)
AWARDED BY THE USASK HUSKIES
Métis
Paris Oleksyn is a proud Métis woman and fifth‑year student‑athlete with the USask Huskies women’s hockey team. Paris exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity, strength, and purpose—on the ice, in the classroom, and within her community.
This season Paris has earned the role of Assistant Captain, a position that reflects her exceptional character, work ethic, and ability to motivate those around her. Teammates and coaches describe her someone who leads through action and accountability, her presence sets the tone for excellence. Her leadership is matched by an impressive athletic record, including:

• 2019–20 Silver Medalist, National Women’s U18 Championship (Team Saskatchewan)
• 2019–20 Gold Medalist, National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (Team Saskatchewan)
• 2021–22 Bronze Medalist, U SPORTS National Championship in PEI

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Paris is deeply committed to community engagement, particularly with Indigenous youth. This year she was part of the organizing committee for A Day in a Life event, the women’s hockey cancer awareness game, and volunteered for the Nikaniwin Indigenous program. She also gives back through coaching in the Inner City Community Hockey League and with the Little Comet girls’ program. Paris participates annually in the Fred Sasakamoose Tournament—winning in both 2022 and 2023—and continues to represent her community with pride.
Balancing academics, high‑performance athletics, and meaningful service, Paris creates spaces where young Indigenous people feel seen, supported, and welcomed on campus. She encourages other student‑athletes to engage with youth as well, demonstrating that excellence and cultural pride can thrive within university sport.
For these reasons, Paris Oleksyn is a deserving candidate for recognition in the Leadership category of Indigenous Achievement Week. Her impact as a student‑athlete and community leader will continue long beyond her years at USask.

Research

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

Caleb White (He/Him)
BIOMEDICAL NEUROSCIENCE
Métis
Caleb White is a member of Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and is in his final year of an undergraduate Biomedical Neuroscience Honours degree. He is researching in the Howland laboratory and is grateful for the support he has received in the lab. Caleb has applied to the Master of Science program in Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology. He intends to develop his research interests and work toward his goal of contributing to neuroscience.

Trent Young (He/Him)
LINGUISTICS
Cree and Tsimshian - Alexander First Nation
Trent Young is a Cree and Tsimshian member of Alexander First Nation, with close ties to Bigstone Cree Nation and Kitsumkalum, where he is of the Raven Clan. He is a second-year undergraduate in Linguistics at the University of Saskatchewan, with interests in morphology and Algonquian grammar. His goal is to support accessible learning materials for ancestral language revitalization across Turtle Island.

Sky Clarke (She/Her)
SOCIOLOGY
Woodland Cree - Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
Sky Clarke is more than a student; she is a leader, a mother, and a proud Woodland Cree member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Fluent in her native Cree language, Sky has spent a decade transforming her life through education. After graduating with an Education degree in 2025, she shifted her focus toward Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice Studies to prepare for a future in Law. Despite the juggle of parenting and employment, Sky’s resilience has led her to numerous leadership positions. She continues to break barriers, climbing mountains for herself, her children, and everyone she inspires along the way.

Resiliency

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

Kyla Sylvestre (Other)
TOXICOLOGY
AWARDED BY THE INDIGENOUS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PATHWAYS
Dene from La Loche, SK
I am Kyla Sylvestre (she/they) from La Loche, SK, Clearwater River Dene Nation. I am currently a BSc Toxicology student (Pre-Pharmacy) and am thrilled to be nominated for the IAW Award in Resilience. ISAP played an instrumental role in my journey and being an ISAP Peer Mentor allows me to return the favour to a community that provided so much for me.

Related Articles