Ashmont School Assistant Principal honoured

Assistant principal of the Ashmont School, Candace Houle was recognized at the Esquao Awards earlier this month. The awards celebrate indigenous women in Canada.

On May 10 the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women held their 24th annual Esquao Awards, and among the award recipients was Houle of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation.

Houle, an Assistant Principal and Indigenous Knowledge Studies Coordinator at Ashmont School, was nominated for being a leader in the education of children from all cultures.

St. Paul Education Regional Division released a statement congratulating Houle. “Thank you for all that you do for Ashmont School and for St. Paul Education!”

In her role at Ashmont School she takes great pride in teaching and mentoring students and colleagues about Cree heritage and Indigenous learning protocols.

Candace Houle standing with her award. (Photo provided)

The Esquao Awards is the largest gathering to honour Aboriginal Women in Canada. It is unique because it is the community that nominates the women, and the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) coordinates the ceremony to honour them.

The Esquao Awards highlight the significant role Aboriginal women hold in their home, in the healing and development of their city/town/hamlet/reserve/settlement and in the building of Alberta.