Senator Thelma Chalifoux Award

The Senator Thelma Chalifoux Award honors Senator Thelma Chalifoux, who enjoyed an outstanding career focused on making life better for others. Senator Chalifoux was the first Metis woman in Canada's Senate, appointed by the Rt. Hon. Jean Chretien. She acted as a key land claims negotiator, was the founder of the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre, and was instrumental in developing the Metis Association of Alberta Land and Welfare Departments. This award is available to Aboriginal students entering the Academic Upgrading program at NAIT. It is awarded on the basis of satisfactory academic achievement upon entrance into the program and demonstrated financial need. Senator Chalifoux's own commitment to the Aboriginal community earned her the recognition of being named NAIT's Distinguished Friend of the Institute in 2002, and she also received an Honorary Diploma in Business Administration in 2003. Students must complete an application to be considered for this award. The award amount varies based on available funding and recipient needs.