Georgian College

17 GEORGIANVIEW SPRING 2022 Premier's AwArds "Winning this award for this category…I'm still in shock," declared Nadia George (class of 2009) at the 2021 Colleges Ontario Premier's Awards. "I want to dedicate it to all of the Indigenous kids, teens, youth and adults, and individuals who ever feel or felt like they didn't belong, like they didn't have worth, and like they couldn't make it and achieve their dreams and goals. I want you to know that you can. I want you to break down those boundaries, push and make space for yourself, because you deserve to be there." And if anyone knows about breaking down boundaries – its Nadia. The award-winning Mi'kmaw-Canadian actress, addictions therapist, ambassador, advisor and public speaker was nominated for her work, which focuses on uplifting young Indigenous voices by giving space for them to be seen and heard. Nadia challenges stereotypes of the contemporary Indigenous person by addressing stigmas and encouraging open communication around contemporary Indigenous identity. She advocates for equity within Indigenous communities around accessibility, health, mental health, and addiction. Nadia seeks to find ways of improving the quality of life for all Indigenous Peoples; building bridges by providing learning opportunities and fostering positive reconciliatory friendships. She has worked in the field of social work and addictions for more than a decade, and her passion for this work is driven by her own experiences as a child. As an actress, Nadia can be seen in numerous films and television series including History Erased, Along the Water's Edge and Uncolonize. Her portrayal of Jolene in the award- winning film, Her Water Drum, earned her the distinguished award of Achievement in Acting for a Leading Role at the Los Angeles Skins Film Festival. As an Indigenous advisor for Child Welfare Political Action Committee Canada, Nadia advocates for positive outcomes for youth aging out of care and former foster kids through evidence-based policy change and postsecondary access. As a National Ambassador of Learning with Influencers "It really felt good to be in a place where you are recognized for who you are. I am really proud to be a Georgian alumna." | Pictured left to right is: Georgian President and CEO Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes, Georgian's Board of Governors Chair Ali Khonsari (class of 1997), Nadia George (class of 2009) and Georgian Alumni Association Executive Council Chair Arjun Batra (class of 2007) Motiv8, she provides theatre-based wellness programs for First Nations and Inuit youth in marginalized and isolated communities, recently travelling to Sachs Harbour and Aklavik, Northwest Territories. Nadia is also a national ambassador with Water First, and has dedicated much of her time in recent years to bringing attention to the impacts of environmental racism on Indigenous communities and the continued inadequacies surrounding access to clean drinking water for Indigenous Peoples. In a 2021 op-ed in the Toronto Star, she wrote: "We not only need environmental equity, but also environmental justice. Everyone, regardless of race, socio- economic status or other groupings, should have access to clean water and healthy living environments. Canada must uphold these rights and protect those most vulnerable, ensuring offenders are held accountable." Speaking about her time as a Georgian student in the Social Service Worker program, Nadia shares one of the things her Elder has always taught her is the importance of collaboration, commitment and community. "To be able to be in an institution where it is collaborative learning, where you can have those moments with your professors, and really get to know them so they can support you in what you need to learn as an individual, is key to success," she says. "It really felt good to be in a place where you are recognized for who you are. I am really proud to be a Georgian alumna."

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