The Daniels Faculty would like to congratulate first year Master of Architecture student James Bird on winning the President's Award for Outstanding Indigenous Student of the Year. Lisa Boivin, an undergraduate student from the Faculty of Medicine, also received this honour. Two students, one graduate and one undergraduate, receive the award each year.

"I felt honored to be selected from a very large cohort of extremely talented people. It is a humbling experience, and I am filled with deep gratitude," said Bird. "The President's Award means a recognition for perseverance and persistence in educations goals I had always hoped for."

Bird recently completed his Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Renaissance Studies at U of T. He began his master’s degree in architecture this fall after nearly 30 years as a carpenter, journeyman, and cabinet maker. A knowledge keeper from the Nehiyawak nation and Dene Nation, he says his future goals include the possibly pursuing a PhD and continuing his SSHRC research in "linguistincs and the interaction between space making and Indigenous languages."

A ceremony and reception for the President's Award was held on December 6th at First Nations House at U of T.