Recipient Colleen Gray, an Indigenous artist, strives to make a difference for indigenous youth in remote communities through hands-on projects in schools.
Stittsville Rotary Club presented Colleen Gray with a Paul Harris Award on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 at the 2023 Changeover meeting. In a brief ceremony, the recipient receives a Certificate, lapel pin and medallion to recognize an outstanding commitment to the community. The Stittsville Rotary Club has also donated in Colleen’s name, the sum of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Paul Harris Fellow recognition was created in memory of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary.
One example of Colleen’s work that is making a difference for indigenous youth is the Sew n Sew program. Colleen worked with Josée Lusignan, President of I Love First Peoples, to create a hands-on experience with sewing labs, empowering indigenous youth to succeed through education and consequently, to stay in school. The program started in Newfoundland, Labrador, Nunavut and has expanded to the western provinces. For more information or to make a monetary donation to the Sew & Sew program, go to www.artforaid.ca or www.ilfp.ca. Charitable tax receipts are issued each February.
The Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville has been a supporter of this program, assisting with transportation costs and facilitating links in the selected Nunavut communities. www.stittsvillerotary.com