AWARDS
The Barry J. White Memorial Award
Established in honor of Barry White (1950-2011), a member of the Turtle clan of the Seneca Nation who devoted many hours of service to his Native community, Barry White was a Native American Community Services (NACS) board member, on the Seneca Nation Library Board of Trustees, and the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum Board. During his career, he contributed to several initiatives in Seneca language and culture preservation, taught in the American Studies program at the University at Buffalo, and worked for the Center for the Development of Human Services of the S.U.N.Y. Research Foundation at Buffalo State. The Barry White memorial award is presented to an individual selected in recognition of exemplary service to their community, to Indigenous education in higher education. This award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions of individuals who continually strive for the advancement of Indigenous peoples at the university or college level in New York State.
The Noreen “Kim” Hill Memorial Staff Award
Established in honor of Noreen “Kim” Hill, a member of the Turtle clan of the Mohawk Nation from Six Nations for her lifetime career and dedication to Native American children, families, and communities. Kim Hill was employed with Native American Community Services (NACS), and served as the Project Director for Indian Education for the Niagara Falls Board of Education for 2 decades. Noreen’s volunteer service included the National and New York State Indian education associations, the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club, the Niagara Falls Human Rights Council, and the Indian Defense League of America. She earned multiple awards and honors, including the 2020 Community Leader Award from the National Federation for Just Communities, a 2020 Congressional Award from U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins. The Noreen “Kim” Hill Memorial Staff award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions of individuals who continually strive to support the needs of Indigenous children, families, and communities in New York State.
William “Buster” Mitchell Educator of the Year Award
This award was established to honor William Mitchell’s deep, abiding commitment to the field if Indigenous education and the advancement of Native youth and adults. Buster Mitchell, a Mohawk from Akwesasne, was instrumental in the founding of NAIEA/NY. His rich legacy laid the groundwork for this association’s mission, vision, and goals. An elementary teacher for 12 years, Buster Mitchell furthered his education eventually becoming one of the first Native American school principals in New York State. He served as principal at the St. Regis Mohawk School for 18 years, leaving a lasting, positive impact and legacy. The William Buster Mitchel Educator of the Year award is presented in recognition of the outstanding contributions of individuals who have made an enduring impact on the success and well-being of Indigenous peoples pursuing educational advancement in New York State.
NAIEA Teacher of the Year Award
NAIEA established this award to recognize a classroom teacher who has demonstrated excellence in teaching in a P-12 environment, has shown incredible dedication to the teaching profession while creating strong connections to Indigenous communities. Award recipients serve as exemplars among their peers and an inspiration to their students. This award recognizes teachers who have consistently distinguished themselves for understanding the needs of P-12 students, for instilling in students the desire to learn and achieve, for fostering relationships with their colleagues and the Native community, and for demonstrating outstanding leadership. The NAIEA Teacher of the Year award is presented in recognition of these outstanding contributions of individuals who continually strive for the improvement of Indigenous students in a P-12 setting in New York State.
