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Jac-Lynn Wasyliw, Jordyn Hastings, Kiera Flett, & Melanie Kapilik

The Jules Lavallee Memorial Bursary recognizes a graduating Indigenous student who has developed/utilized/shared their gifts to fulfill goals and aspirations in relation to their selves, their families, and communities.   

This year, nine exceptional graduates were nominated for the Jules Lavallee Memorial Bursary. Two students, Kiera Flett and Jordyn Hastings, were awarded the bursary. 

Kiera Flett

Kiera Flett is a Grade 12 student at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate. She has been accepted into the University of Manitoba’s U1 program for the Fall term and has also expressed interest in attending the University College of the North in The Pas. Kiera has been a dedicated member of Indigenous Youth Leadership throughout all four years of high school, planning, leading, and serving at events such as Remembrance Day, Learning from the Land, Winter Solstice Feasts, Red Dress Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. She is a skilled public speaker who has further developed her abilities by emceeing several school events. 

Kiera is a role model for her younger siblings. She enjoys beading and spending time with her family. She regularly visits relatives in Chemawawin and is grateful for the strong connection she shares with her community and family who live there. 

Deeply connected to her Indigenous roots, Kiera is passionate about integrating culture into everyday life. She thrives in land-based learning environments, where hands-on outdoor experiences allow her to engage directly with the natural world and ancestral teachings. For Kiera, culture is not something reserved for special occasions—it is a living, breathing part of her daily practice. She is committed to preserving and revitalizing Indigenous knowledge through active participation and continuous learning. Kiera aspires to use her education to contribute positively to her community, family, and future generations.  

Kiera leads with quiet confidence and humility. She stands firm in her beliefs and is not easily swayed by others. She enjoys learning from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, asking thoughtful questions, and contributing her own insights on what it means to be a young First Nations woman in Canada. With a strong understanding of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Kiera is a powerful advocate for herself and others. She draws from this declaration as evidence of her family’s history and rights, as well as a source of hope for her future and the future of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.  

Kiera will continue to use her strength and resilience to raise awareness about Indigenous issues and nurture the meaningful relationship she already has with the Land. 

Jordyn Hastings

Jordyn Hastings is a Grade 12 student at Glenlawn Collegiate Institute (GCI). She is a proud member of Norway House Cree Nation, dependable, generous, and inspiring young leader. Over the past four years, she has been an integral member of Nii’kinaagananaa, an Indigenous student and allies’ group, helping fundraiser for Drag the Red, participating in traditional crafts such as ribbon skirt-making and beading, and raising awareness about key Indigenous issues. She has also been an active member of Indigenous Youth Leadership, participating in numerous cultural events and activities. 

Jordyn’s commitment to service is reflected in her volunteer work with Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Child and Family Services, where she supported food service and gift-wrapping for foster children during the holidays. A multi-tasker with excellent communication skills and a professional demeanour, Jordyn is a two-time recipient of the Academic Excellence Award and a four-time recipient of the Generosity Award. Her leadership and kindness leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets. 

As a longstanding member and current Co-President of the Indigenous Allies and Voices Club, Jordyn has helped lead and coordinate impactful initiatives, including Orange Shirt Day, National Red Dress Day, and the Red Dress Exhibit at GCI. She has played a central role in organizing fundraisers such as the Drag the Red bake sale and the Community 204 event—creating promotional materials using her graphic design skills, assisting with baking and selling items with warmth, professionalism, and enthusiasm. 

Jordyn is a strong communicator and an excellent team player, but she also works well independently. She is organized, punctual, and proactive—a self-starter who takes initiative and follows through. Her ability to engage others with kindness and clarity makes her a natural leader.  

In the broader community, Jordyn’s volunteer work with the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation CFS holiday event—serving food and wrapping gifts for foster children—reflects her genuine compassion and sense of responsibility. 

Jordyn is an inspiring young woman whose contributions will continue to positively impact others. 

Congratulations to both students.