The Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority has announced a renewal of the Athabasca Student Awards Agreement in partnership with the CAMECO CORPORATION and ORANO CANADA LTD.

June 6, 2023

FATHER PORTE MEMORIAL DENESULINE SCHOOL – BLACK LAKE, SK

The Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority has announced a renewal of the Athabasca Student Awards Agreement in partnership with the CAMECO CORPORATION and ORANO CANADA LTD.

Glenn Lafleur, Manager, Northern Affairs at ORANO CANADA LTD., made the announcement to the Grades 7 to 12 students and staff at Father Porte Memorial School in Black Lake, SK. on Tuesday, June 6th/23. This marks the return of the Athabasca School Awards Program at the request of the communities.

A total of four awards per grade will be given out in each community. Students in the communities of Black Lake, Fond du Lac, Hatchet Lake, as well as students in the municipal communities of Stony Rapids and Uranium City are eligible for the awards. There will be one award for each category in grades 7 to 12.

  1. Academic Award – provided to the student achieving the top academic average in each grade.
  2. Literacy Award – provided to the top overall literacy student in each grade.
  3. Math and Science Award – provided to a student who exhibits a keen interest and ability in the area of math and science.
  4. Language/Culture Award – provided to a student who exhibits a keen interest and ability in the area of language, culture, land-based programs.

In addition to monetary awards presented by CAMECO and ORANO, Ya'thi Néné Lands and Resources (YNLR) will provide each award winner with a non-monetary award to recognize their achievement.

This partnership signifies the importance of supporting the youth in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin with clear goals to increase levels of academic achievement and student attendance, as well as, lower school drop out rates.

The announcement was received with great excitement by students and staff at Father Porte Memorial Denesuline School.

The Athabasca Student Awards will be presented in each of the three communities of the Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority – Black Lake, Fond du Lac and Hatchet Lake. The events will be community-based.