Sana Elache Legacy Awards
About the Award
The Sana Elache Legacy Award acknowledges change makers in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo who demonstrate a passion for leadership, volunteerism and multicultural advocacy.
Applicants have the opportunity to apply for one of two scholarship streams:
- Student Empowerment Award – $500
- Community Engagement Award – $500
Meet the 2024 Winners!
Student Empowerment Award Winner
Community Engagement Award Winner
How to apply
The award will adhere to the following timelines on an annual basis.
- Applications Open: August 1, 2024
- Applications Close: September 30, 2024
- Winners announced: November 25, 2024 (at MCA’s Annual General Meeting)
For exact deadlines, please refer to the application form of the award you anticipate applying for.
Who can apply
Sana Elache Student Empowerment Award – $500
- Must be a student in High School (Grades 10-11-12) or in University/College
- Must be a Wood Buffalo resident, or lived in Wood Buffalo in the last 5 years
- Must not have received a Sana Elache Legacy Award in the past
Sana Elache Community Engagement Award – $500
- Must be a Wood Buffalo Resident
- Must not have received a Sana Elache Legacy Award in the past
- Must not currently be a registered student in High School or University
Selection process
Applicants of the Sana Elache Legacy Awards will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of no less than three MCA board members, who will evaluate submissions against a matrix. This matrix will measure:
- Three volunteer/community experiences
- Impact of applicant’s leadership and volunteerism efforts in relation to diversity and inclusion.
Past Winners
Student Empowerment Award
2023 – Maryam Saleem
2022 – Muneeb Ikram
2021 – Irene Olayinka
2019 – Fajar Khan
2018 – Krish Shaw
Community Engagement Award
2023 – Holly Hashimi
2022 – Precious Majekodunmi
2021 – Kanakadurga Phanisree Timmaraju
2019 – Britainea Young
2018 – Lauren Popowich
In Memory of Sana Elache
The Sana Elache Legacy Award honours the memory of Sana Elache, an educator, trainer, entrepreneur, leadership development specialist and former Chair of the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo.
On arriving to Canada in 2005, Sana established SilaLink, a consulting, training and publishing company, and volunteered extensively in Wood Buffalo. Sana cared deeply for her community, envisioning the community leadership program “Leadership Wood Buffalo”, and served as a member of the Social Prosperity Steering Committee, the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games Bidding Committee, and Future Forward.
The Sana Elache Legacy Award seeks to acknowledge students and community members who share her vision for the region and who display a genuine passion for leadership, volunteerism, and multicultural advocacy.
