About The Awards

The establishment of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards best exemplifies the efforts of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to encourage and celebrate excellence in the Aboriginal community. In 1993 NAAF established the awards in conjunction with the United Nation's International Decade of the World's Indigenous peoples. The awards recognize career achievements by Aboriginal professionals in diverse occupations. Now entering their twelfth year, these awards have become a Canadian institution.

The NAAA was established to build self-esteem and pride for the Aboriginal community and to provide role models for Aboriginal youth. The awards serve to inform of the strides that are being made by individuals who have the discipline, drive and determination to set high standards and accomplish their goals.

Supported by the public and private sectors, this Aboriginal initiative represents the highest honour the community bestows upon its own achievers. Individuals of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ancestry who have reached a significant level of achievement in their respective occupations are eligible for nomination.

A national jury comprised of accomplished Aboriginal people selects 12 career achievement award winners, one youth and one lifetime achievement award recipient.


Eligibility Criteria

Any Aboriginal or Canadian may nominate individuals:

  • Of First Nations, Inuit or Métis heritage;
  • Who demonstrate outstanding career achievement;
  • Of any age (youth achiever nominees must be 15-24 years of age);
  • Permanent Canadian Resident or Canadian born.
Please note nominations on behalf of the deceased will not be accepted. Jurors are ineligible for nomination, nor may they submit nominations or support letters.
Only completed applications with two support letters and a résumé or biographical equivalent will be accepted. All eligible nominations stand for three years with the NAAA Secretariat.
Nomination Categories

All career areas are eligible for nomination and include, but are not limited to:

  • Agriculture
  • Arts and Culture
  • Business and Commerce
  • Community Development
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Fisheries
  • Forestry and Natural Resources
  • Health Services
  • Heritage and Spirituality
  • Housing
  • Law and Justice
  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Media and Communications
  • Medicine
  • Public Service
  • Science and Technology
  • Social Services
  • Sports
  • Youth

Nomination Deadline

The deadline to receive nominations is midnight, Friday, September 16, 2005. Nomination forms, résumés and letters of support must be received by mail, courier, e-mail or fax as a complete package by this date. Please do not send original pictures. Late submissions will not be accepted. Additional forms or further information can be obtained by calling the NAAA Secretariat at 1-800-329-9780 or by visiting our website.


How to Nominate an Achiever

In nominating an individual for an NAAA, it is understood that the nominator does so with the agreement and cooperation of the nominee. To nominate an achiever please complete the nomination form and send along two letters of support from additional supporters and a current résumé or biography. The letters and nomination form should articulate a strong and coherent argument as to why the nominee would merit a career, lifetime achievement or youth award. These letters should be written by individuals other than the nominator.

You can fill out the form online or print the form and send it by regular mail.

1) Apply online:

OR:

2) Printable application form
    Print out the form, fill it out by hand and send it by regular mail to:
    National Aboriginal Achievement Awards Secretariat
    c/o National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
    70 Yorkville Avenue
    Suite 33A
    Toronto, Ontario
    M5R 1B9

    If you have difficulty in downloading the file or working with it, we can always send it to you by mail or fax. Simply write to us, or call us at 1-800-329-9780.


Recognition

The 2006 NAAA recipients will be honoured at a gala awards ceremony at the QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE in Vancouver on Friday January 27th, 2006.


Special Youth Award

The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards will bestow a special youth award upon a young achiever between the ages of 15 and 24 who is of First Nations, Inuit or Métis ancestry. The youth recipient will receive a $10,000 scholarship to further their education and/or career, and will be recognized at the gala event. There is no cash prize for the 12 career achievers or the lifetime achievement award recipient.

To nominate a youth achiever, complete the official nomination form and send to the NAAA Secretariat with two letters of support and a résumé or biographical equivalent. The nomination form and letters should articulate a strong and coherent argument as to why the nominee would merit the youth award.

On November 4, 2004, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation announced the appointment of
Roberta Jamieson as its Chief Executive Officer.


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Copyright, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, Last modified:To obtain information concerning copyright ownership and restrictions on reproduction on this site, please contact: Scott Cavan, Director Media Relations: scavan@naaf.ca