鈥淭rue leader鈥� and Social Service grad to receive Paul Gallagher Award
Winning the Paul Gallagher Award is a validation for the hard work that Ken’Nikahontehsa Norton-Montour聽has done over the last three years.
In her nomination letter, teacher Vanessa Robillard said that Ken’Nikahontehsa 鈥渉as shown a consistent commitment to persevere and excel in any circumstance and strikes the balance between academic and personal responsibilities. Not only is Ken鈥橬ikahontehsa dedicated to her studies, but has actively contributed to College life.鈥�
Named after the first Director General of 星空传媒视频, the Paul Gallagher Award recognizes graduating students who demonstrate community involvement, leadership, and academic achievement.
Uniting people
Vanessa said that Ken’Nikahontehsa, a Social Service student, 鈥渋s a true leader, uniting people with compassion, integrity and humility.鈥�
Ken鈥橬ikahontehsa advocates strongly for her home community of Kahnaw谩:ke. 鈥淪he led our third-year students in their Community Action Project around creating a community intervention,鈥� Vanessa wrote in her nomination letter. 鈥淔or example, she sensitized the class to the challenges and realities of individuals post incarceration and has taken the time to reach out to the First Peoples Justice Center of Montreal to work in collaboration with them on addressing issues that affect this population.鈥�
Ken’Nikahontehsa is grateful for her teachers and her Dawson experience. 鈥淏efore Dawson, I was at a loss for what to do next. When it came time to apply, I looked into the Social Service Program at Dawson and knew it was for me,鈥� said Ken’Nikahontehsa in an interview with Dawson鈥檚 Communications Office.
Students became family
鈥淲hat I enjoyed best about my Dawson experience were the people I met in my program,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur teachers were devoted and I couldn’t have made it through without all their support. The students became my family over the last three years. We bonded over tears, laughs and a passion to see change.鈥�
Apart from involvement in her program, Ken’Nikahontehsa played rugby and enjoyed participating in Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies events. One of her poems was selected for聽 publication in Verge magazine, a project of the Dawson Feminist Union, a student club.
What鈥檚 next
Her current project is completing a wrestling certificate to coach athletes in the Kahnaw谩:ke 2023 Indigenous Games. Recently, she started working part time as a Case Aid for the Kahnaw谩:ke Shakotiia鈥檛akehnhas Family Services.
In the fall, Ken鈥橬ikahontehsa will begin a Bachelor of Social Work at McGill University. 鈥淢y career goals include being an activist and pushing for social change for Indigenous people,鈥� she said.
