Omar Karim is a National TD Scholar and a National Millennium Scholar for Youth Leadership and Community Service. He is an I-STAR National Recipient and received I-STAR Awards for Arts and Culture, Youth Leadership and Community Service. Additionally, Omar is a recipient of the TD Champions Award, the MVP at Canada’s Next Impact Apprentice Business Competition, Citizenship Award Recipient. He is the National Director and National Education Lead in Canada for Post-Secondary Engagement and Initiatives for the Moose Hide Campaign Development Society and coordinates/manages the Office of Co-Curricular Engagement & Learning at Vancouver Island University. In addition, he was the Chairman of the 2017 Canada MBA Games hosted in Nanaimo and is the Founder of the BC MBA Games competitions. Karim and his team raised over $300,000 for the Moose Hide Campaign and raised over $750,000 in terms of funds raised to finance both projects. He is now pursuing his Doctorate in Higher Education with a focus on reconciling Indigenous perspectives in Co-Curricular learning and engagement.
Wilson Bearhead is Nakota: a member of the Wabamun Lake First Nation in Treaty 6 territory. Wilson has served as Chief in his own community, Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 as well as the Assembly of First Nations Alberta Regional Chief. Wilson was the first Elder in Residence for Edmonton Public Libraries before moving to serve as the Elder for Elk Island Public Schools for 4 years, and still provides cultural teachings and supports to many schools and organizations across Alberta. Wilson is the recent recipient of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Indigenous Elder Award and is the co-author of the children’s book series, Siha Tooskin Knows. Wilson’s grandmother Annie was a powerful, positive influence in his young life, teaching him all of the lessons that gave him the strength, knowledge, and skills to overcome difficult times and embrace the gifts of life.