As an elite athlete, coach, and family support worker, Brittany Hudak BSW’19 is an inspiration to many. Brittany has been a member of Canada’s Para-Nordic Ski team since 2015 and is a three-time Paralympic Bronze medalist (PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022).
She is also the winner of multiple World Cup and World Championship medals, and a three-time gold medallist at the Canada Winter Games. Brittany’s enthusiasm for sport has extended to mentoring other young athletes, including through the Classroom Champions Program, which pairs Olympic and Paralympic athletes with underserved students in classrooms across Canada.
She is also the winner of multiple World Cup and World Championship medals, and a three-time gold medallist at the Canada Winter Games. Brittany’s enthusiasm for sport has extended to mentoring other young athletes, including through the Classroom Champions Program, which pairs Olympic and Paralympic athletes with underserved students in classrooms across Canada.
Brittany is also a member of Nordiq Canada Women’s Committee which aims to ensure equality of opportunity for girls and women in the sport of cross-country skiing. As a youth and family support worker, Brittany works with Enviros Wilderness School Association in their residential group homes for teens.
Presented by URAA (University of Regina Alumni Association)
Chief Perry Bellegarde S.O.M. BAdmin'84 (Little Black Bear First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory) has dedicated his life to championing the rights and well-being of First Nations. For 35 years, he has held various First Nations leadership roles, including two terms as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) from 2014-2021. He describes himself as an oskâpêwis or helper.
As National Chief, Chief Bellegarde campaigned tirelessly to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and other families in Canada. Critical accomplishments include the passage of Canada's first national legislation recognizing and protecting Indigenous languages, and securing a legislative commitment to national implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
He has also raised the international profile of First Nations expertise on sustainable development, promoting rights-based solutions to the climate crisis from the Paris Agreement to The Sustainable Markets Initiative.
As National Chief, Chief Bellegarde campaigned tirelessly to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and other families in Canada. Critical accomplishments include the passage of Canada's first national legislation recognizing and protecting Indigenous languages, and securing a legislative commitment to national implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He has also raised the international profile of First Nations expertise on sustainable development, promoting rights-based solutions to the climate crisis from the Paris Agreement to The Sustainable Markets Initiative.
In 2018, Chief Bellegarde was recognized with the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from both Queen's and Lakehead universities. In 2021, the Empire Club of Canada named him their 'Nation Builder of the Year', and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society inducted him as their Honorary President.
Chief Bellegarde is currently a special advisor to Fasken, an international law firm, and serves on the First Nations Bank of Canada Board of Directors, and is a special advisor to King Charles III's Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Presented by URAA (University of Regina Alumni Association)
Jada Yee BAdmin'15, MAdmin'20 is a leader, volunteer, and educator. Currently the Director of Business Development for FHQ Developments, he has spent more than 20 years in various leadership roles within the casino gaming industry, and teaches at the First Nations University of Canada's Indigenous Business and Public Administration program.
As a committed volunteer, Jada serves on numerous boards, including as Chair of the Regina Police Service Board of Police Commissioners; the Regina Food Bank; SaskPolytechnic: Program Advisory Council for the Business Certificate Program; City of Regina: Community Safety and Well Being;
Regina Crime Stoppers; Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association (RAPA); Canadian Red Cross, and as the Indigenous Representative for the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business Students' Association.
In October 2021, Jada was elected to the National Board of Canadian Association for Police Governance, where Jada represents Saskatchewan. Jada was awarded the Queen Elizabeth's II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his outstanding community service. He is a proud member of the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation, and is also of Chinese-Canadian heritage. Jada lives in Regina with his wife and four amazing children.
Presented by URAA (University of Regina Alumni Association)
