Student Achievement Awards announced at AGA
Five Métis post-secondary students were recognized at the MNO’s 33rd Annual General Assembly in Toronto with PSE Student Achievement Awards.
The merit-based awards recognize exemplary academic achievement and community involvement. Each recipient received $5,000, with applications reviewed anonymously by a panel of MNO citizens.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Olivia Beausoleil
Olivia Beausoleil is a second-year medical student in the Doctor of Medicine program at Toronto Metropolitan University.
A strong advocate for Indigenous health and student leadership, Olivia co-founded the TMU Indigenous Medical Student Association and previously co-founded McMaster’s Indigenous Student-Athlete Council while completing her undergraduate studies and competing on the women’s soccer team.
Her leadership has been recognized with McMaster’s President’s Award of Excellence in Student Leadership. She continues to support Indigenous and rural health through her involvement with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada and the Ontario Medical Students Association’s Northern Ontario and Rural Medicine Committee.
Madyson Campbell
Madyson Campbell is a fourth-year medical student at NOSM University in Thunder Bay and holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia.
Passionate about health equity, Madyson researches Indigenous mental health and substance use disorders at ICES and has served on the MNO Youth Council for the past six years.
She is also the co-founder and co-president of the Thunder Bay Free Store, a local initiative that provides essential items to community members in need.
Audrey Gignac
Audrey Gignac is a fourth-year Brock University student completing a Concurrent Education degree in English and History, with the goal of becoming a teacher.
As a member of the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society, Audrey helps plan fundraisers and events for her university and local community. She has also supported Métis students as an Infinite Reach Facilitator at Brock, organizing cultural workshops that brought students together to learn, create, and build connections.
Through her community and cultural involvement, Audrey has strengthened her sense of belonging and deepened her appreciation for Métis traditions and relationships.
Marissa Magneson
Marissa Magneson is an artist, photographer, workshop educator, former Infinite Reach Facilitator, and PhD candidate at York University.
Her doctoral research examines beadwork as a form of pedagogy, and her academic and creative work focuses on decolonizing education, strengthening community, and reclaiming cultural practices. Marissa has also shared educational beadwork kits throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Her beadwork has been exhibited internationally, including at the Juno Beach Centre in France as part of Faces of Canada. More recently, her work was featured in the Métis exhibition its aka Kwaapikayhk at OCAD’s Graduate Gallery.
Tashya Orasi
Tashya Orasi is an artist, educator, researcher, and PhD candidate in Lakehead University’s Leadership and Policy Studies program.
Her doctoral research brings together arts-based and decolonial approaches to learning, data, knowledge, and research methods. Her dissertation installation, Voices in the Wilderness “Lii vway dedaans lii gros bois,” explores the role of creativity in education and received a Merit Award from the International Society of Experimental Artists.
Tashya also has experience in public sector administration and Métis policy. She recently served as Director of Education and Social Policy with the Métis National Council.
Congratulations to Olivia, Madyson, Audrey, Marissa, and Tashya on this well-deserved recognition.
Learn more about MNO Post-Secondary Education programs and services.