Meet the 2021 recipients

Dr. Wayne Clark has done just that, not only in his academic and volunteer work, but also in his current professional role as Executive Director of Indigenous Health Initiatives at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. His work enhances the cultural safety training of medical students, focusing on educating about the colonial experience, the Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous communities, and the power imbalances that can exist in a doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Clark also made significant contributions in his academic work. His thesis for his Doctor of Education in Distance Education, which he completed in 2020, took a creative and decolonizing approach to research. He consulted with Inuit Elders and community members to formulate his research questions and desired outcomes, recognizing and privileging voices of Inuit people. Through his role on several advisory and decision-making boards and working groups, as well as in his professional work, Dr. Clark continues to make outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of Inuit communities across the North.

Many people in Yellowknife will attest to Dr. Pawan Chugh’s attitude of helping others in whatever way he can. He will tell you that this attitude was instilled in him by his parents, who worked tirelessly in India to provide an education for him and to serve their community. After moving to Canada, he completed a Master of Business Administration, and eventually settled in Yellowknife where he in turn has worked tirelessly to make life better for others. Dr. Chugh has served countless volunteer organizations, including but not limited to, KidSport, Ekal Vidyalaya Canada, Inclusion NWT, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society, the Northwest Territories Disability Council, and the Paralympic program. His current academic work includes pursuing two additional doctorate degrees, focusing his research on issues of reconciliation. His dedication to education and ongoing work to build better communities for everyone of all ages and all different backgrounds, makes him worthy of recognition.

The 2021 winner, Odion Welch, has shown an innate ability to create connections and focuses her professional, educational, and personal efforts on making a difference for the many youth in her life. She does this in many ways, but most notably in her role as the youth mental health coordinator at the Africa Centre, a not-for-profit organization focused on creating opportunities for the Black community in Alberta. Odion has also self-published a book about mental health, completed a triathlon despite not knowing how to swim just weeks before the event, organized a well-attended and well-received diverse women’s panel at an Edmonton comic convention, and created a counselling clinic at the Africa Centre that’s the first of its kind in Western Canada. A true lifelong learner, since completing her Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour relations at AU into a graduate program at another university, and is now setting her sights on a PhD. Odion continually proves that the magic of growth will happen outside of your comfort zone with a little perseverance.