Meet Student Leader Paige Linklater-Wong
Nipissing University is pleased to have recognized Paige Linklater-Wong from Moosonee with the Dave Marshall Leadership Award, one of it's most prestigious accolades.
Annually, 25 full-time students are recognized with a Dave Marshall Leadership Award. These students have made an outstanding extracurricular contribution to their academic program, to the campus, or to the greater community. They have demonstrated leadership, initiative, commitment, and an ability to motivate and influence others toward the betterment of Nipissing University.
This award is a prestigious, non-monetary award in recognition of the dedication and leadership Dr. Dave Marshall demonstrated during his 18 years of consecutive service as the Dean of Education and President and Vice Chancellor of Nipissing University. Dr. Marshall’s tenure at Nipissing University is a reflection of his commitment to higher education, vision for the future, and leadership in external community service. These were all characteristics reflective of Dr. Marshall’s position at Nipissing University and are qualities embodied in the students chosen for this award.
Paige is working towards a Master of Environmental Studies.
Paige has demonstrated her campus leadership through a variety of artistic contributions, volunteering, and as a representative of the Indigenous student experience locally, provincially, and internationally.
As an artist, Paige facilitated a public mural as part of Akawe Daadakokii Art Collective through the White Water Gallery. This public mural was a Reconciliation initiative that invited Indigenous individuals with something to say about improving ways of living together to contribute to the project. Paige’s artwork ‘Two Bodies One Heart,’ which expresses the life experiences of an Indigenous mother, received 5th place in the Indigenous Arts and Stories contest in 2016.
As a volunteer, Paige contributed to the "Deeping Our Collective Understanding, Redefining Student Success" research project to help define success for Indigenous students in post-secondary. She also volunteered for the launch of the Treaty Learning Center in 2016 and represented Nipissing University at the Canada-Mexico Roundtable on Indigenous Higher Education which was held in Mexico in the Fall of 2018. In 2016, Paige spoke on behalf of the Indigenous student experience during a visit from the Special Advisor on Indigenous Issues to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Paige is a role model for how to balance education while being a parent. She freely gives her time to bring people together around traditional food and traditional learning.
After graduation, Paige plans to work in either her home community or in another First Nations community.
The university community congratulates Paige on her Dave Marshall Leadership Award in the Campus Category!