Bruderheim School Student Receives Spirit Bear Award from the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

McKenna Bonner, a Grade 5 student at Bruderheim School, is a recipient of the 2024 Spirit Bear Award, which recognizes young people who demonstrate their commitment to reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Sherwood Park, AB. — McKenna Bonner, a Grade 5 student at Bruderheim School, is a recipient of this year’s Spirit Bear Award. “I’m still in shock, I didn’t know I was being nominated for the Spirit Bear Award,” says Bonner. “I just wanted to bring awareness to my community about the everlasting effects that residential schools have had on my people and continue to have on my generation to this day.”

The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society awards the Spirit Bear Award to young people who demonstrate their commitment to reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. “McKenna is a hard-working individual dedicated to sharing her proud heritage with a focus on reconciliation,” says Lynsay Atchison, a teacher at Bruderheim School. “I’m so proud of McKenna in receiving this honour, as she’s so deserving of the Spirit Bear Award! I look forward to watching her continue her commitment to reconciliation.”

In September 2022, Bonner went to Bruderheim Town Council and asked permission for her, and a few community members, to paint the sidewalk orange by the town’s community hall. Bruderheim’s council unanimously accepted and passed the motion to paint the sidewalk. Bonner’s goal was two-fold: To help build understanding about the importance of reconciliation and recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, commemorated annually on September 30.

Recipients of the Spirit Bear Award receive a certificate, a letter of recognition, and $500 to use toward their future activities or to celebrate. Through educational initiatives and public policy campaigns like the Spirit Bear Award, the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society works to ensure the safety and well-being of First Nations youth and their families and to provide quality resources to support communities.

“McKenna is a wonderful student and an amazing citizen,” says Dave Armbruster, the Principal at Bruderheim School. “She truly embodies reconciliation in action and is a great example to her peers and our staff here at Bruderheim School. We’re very proud of McKenna and say congratulations on being the recipient of this year’s Spirit Bear Award!”

For more information on EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit education visit eips.ca.

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,750 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902