Northern Lights Public Schools is pleased to congratulate Jaera Anderson, a Grade 9 student at École Plamondon School, for receiving the Alberta School Boards' Association’s Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award.
“Jaera is an incredible example of how students can lead with pride, purpose, and positivity,” said Board Chair Karen Packard. “Her dedication to her culture, her community, and her learning is inspiring, and we are proud to have her represent Northern Lights.”
A member of Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Jaera was selected for the Grades 7-9 category in the North Region—one of only 12 students from across Alberta to receive the award this year. The award celebrates First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who model strength, leadership, and a deep commitment to their education while honouring their culture and inspiring those around them.
Jaera is an enthusiastic student, mentor, and leader both in her school and community. She participates in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, where she enjoys seeing the positive impact she can have on younger students.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is a really great way to learn to work with younger people, and to help you grow. I love spending time with my little and seeing him come more out of his shell, and be more comfortable around me,” she shared. “When we first met, he was very quiet. And throughout the year now, he's just been more open—asking me for help, suggesting things we could do. It's been really nice.”
Jaera was also selected by school staff to represent École Plamondon School on the Northern Lights' Student Advisory Council to the Board. She says the opportunity has helped her connect with other students across the division and bring ideas back to her own school.
“It feels good to know that I'm heard,” she said. “I get to go spend a day with other individuals who want to be heard, too, and share their opinions and suggestions for making things better.”
Proud of her Cree identity, Jaera has been dancing at powwows since she was one —first in jingle dress, now in fancy shawl—and shares her culture freely with those around her. She also learned to sew at a young age and now creates ribbon skirts, including for staff at her school.
“I won the Honouring Spirit Award because I represent my culture well and I’m not ashamed to do it,” she said. “I found joy in teaching about it. It was really nice to get that feedback that I was doing a good job.”
Jaera says being part of the Honouring Spirit awards ceremony was a meaningful experience.
“I felt quite proud of myself to be there and to be invited. I felt that what I was doing was really paying off—like how I represented my culture in school and how I wasn’t really ashamed to show it.”
In addition to her volunteer work and cultural advocacy, Jaera enjoys playing volleyball and spending time sewing. Whether in the classroom, at school events, or within her community, she leads by example and uplifts those around her.
Congratulations, Jaera, on this well-deserved recognition!
Seven other NLPS students also received Honourable Mentions for the Honouring Spirit Award:
- Peirsyn Bourassa, Ecole Plamondon School
- Alice Cardinal, J.A. Williams High School
- Brooklyn Cardinal, Kikino School
- Kavita Howse-Dequaine, J.A. Williams High School
- Kaylan Lavallee, J.A. Williams High School
- Mason Olson, Bonnyville Centralized High School
- Wesley Quintal, J.A. Williams High School
More information: Honouring Spirit: ASBA Celebrates 12 Outstanding Indigenous Students at 2025 Awards Ceremony