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The Indspire Awards, until 2012 the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards,^[1] are annual awards presented by Indspire in Canada. The awards are intended to celebrate and encourage excellence in the Aboriginal community.^[2]

About

The awards were first established in 1993, and presented in 1994, in conjunction with the United Nations declared International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The awards are intended to celebrate and encourage excellence in the Indigenous community.^[2] Awards may be presented in a variety of categories, depending on the particular achievements of Aboriginal people in the nominating period—14 awards^[3] are presented each year including one for Lifetime Achievement and three special Youth Awards, one each for First Nations, Inuit and Métis, that comes with a cash prize of $10,000 and 10 career categories with not all individual career categories necessarily presented annually. To be eligible an individual must be of either First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage. Additionally they must demonstrate outstanding career achievement, and be a permanent Canadian resident or be Canadian born. The awards are broadcast annually on the Global Television Network and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). Since 1985 Indspire through its Education Program has awarded more than $87 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 25,00 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide.^[4]

Award categories

The award categories are:^[3]

Eligibility criteria

Individuals of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ancestry who have reached a significant level of achievement in their respective occupations are eligible for nomination. Any person may nominate a candidate they deem to be worthy of this recognition with reference to the following criteria:^[5]

• Of First Nations, Inuit or Métis heritage
• Who demonstrate outstanding career achievement
• Of any age with the exception of the youth category
• Permanent Canadian resident or Canadian born
• Youth achiever nominees must be 15–27 years of age

Indspire Awards recipients

Each year 14 recipients are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in various disciplines ranging from health, law, political science, culture, arts, and others, two of which are specific recognition to one outstanding youth achiever and one lifetime achievement recipient.^[6][7] The awards are recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the highest honours the community can bestow upon its own achievers.^[8]

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