AIISP celebrates and recognizes the participating Indigenous students’ and affiliated faculty accomplishments, dedication, and leadership. Even in these difficult times, your successes, innovation and excellence continue to build this community, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We continue to be strong and vibrant as a community because of you and your outstanding work. We do not want to miss this opportunity to tell you how inspired and proud we are of what you have achieved in your own intellectual journey, as well as in advancing your leadership potentials and contributing to this learning community in service and aptitude.
We are proud to present the nominees for the awards for academic excellence, as well as community and academic service and leadership. Congratulations to all award and recognition recipients!
Ron LaFrance Memorial Leadership Award
This award recognizes an Indigenous undergraduate who displays leadership, persistence, and fortitude in achieving academic goals and serving Indigenous communities. The award honors the memory of Ron LaFrance, Ph.D., a Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Leader and the former Director of the American Indian Program (1981-1993). Dr. LaFrance was instrumental in establishing the Akwe:kon Residential Program House in 1991.
Awardee: Kalin Miles
Awardee: Paula Blanco Ortiz
David A. Call Achievement Award
This award recognizes an Indigenous graduate or professional student who displays outstanding leadership, service, and commitment in pursuit of a graduate or a professional degree. It honors Dean Emeritus David L. Call, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (1978-1995). As dean, he provided tireless and loyal support for Indigenous students in higher education and remains a beloved friend of the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program.
Awardee: Emily Harwell
AIISP Junior Merit Leadership Award
Recognizes the male and female Indigenous students who have earned the highest Grade Point Averages in their junior class.
Awardee: Kashen Gibson
Awardees: Grace Younglund and Regan Staudenraus
Buffalo Spirit Award
The Buffalo Spirit Award was started in 1995 by the Cornell Council of American Indian Graduate and Professional Students to recognize and honor any individual who has provided outstanding leadership in supporting the students and goals of the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program.
Awardee: Kimberly Fuqua
Resilience and Grit Award
AIISP recognizes the dedication of continuing AIISP and Akwe:kon students to their academic excellence and AIISP community in these unprecedented times of public health crisis, social distancing, and extraordinary amounts of screen time.
Miki Bliahu (Diné)
Abigail Boatmun (Cherokee)
Sharla Dart
Karishma Hanomanjie
Taylor Heaton (Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes)
Merritt Khaipho-Burch (Oglala Lakota & Thai)
Brisa Lee (St. Regis Mohawk/Tarahumara)
Maria Lee (St. Regis Mohawk/Tarahumara)
Mimi Li
Yanenowi Logan (Seneca)
Madison Stevens (Six Nations Mohawk and Seneca)
Llyssa Ward (Cherokee descent)
Adelle Williams (Lumbee)
Della Keahna Warrior (White Earth Anishinaabe/Meskwaki)
