Sana Elache Legacy Awards
Created in memory of Sana Elache, these awards seek 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.
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:
The Student Empowerment Award acknowledges a high school student who has demonstrated a strong passion for leadership, volunteerism and multicultural advocacy.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants for the Sana Elache Student Leadership Award must:
- Be a high school student (grades 10, 11, 12), or in University/College
- Be a resident of Wood Buffalo, or have lived in Wood Buffalo for the past 5 years
- Not have received a Sana Elache Legacy Award in the Past
The Community Engagement Award aknowledges a community member who has demonstrated a strong passion for leadership, volunteerism and multicultural advocacy.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants for the Sana Elache Student Leadership Award must:
- Be a resident of Wood Buffalo
- Not have received a Sana Elache Legacy Award in the past
- Not currently be a registered student in High School or University/College
The awards are offered to one person per award on an annual basis.
Applications Open: September 14, 2026
Applications Close: October 31, 2026
Winners of the Sana Elache Legacy awards will be announced at MCA’s Annual General Meeting.
2025 Community Engagement Award Winner: Athus Silva
Athus is a Brazilian-born student-athlete and community advocate who joined Keyano College Huskies in 2019. One of the most decorated athletes in ACAC and CCAA history, he has earned honors such as ACAC Torch Bearer, CCAA All-Canadian (2024 & 2025), and Wood Buffalo Male Athlete of the Year. Beyond sports, Athus champions multicultural inclusion and youth empowerment, creating sport and wellness programs for Fort McKay First Nation and volunteering widely across the region. Recently completing his Social Work Diploma, he plans to pursue a degree to continue serving marginalized communities. His leadership, humility, and dedication to building cultural bridges embody the spirit of the Sana Elache Legacy Award.
2025 Student Engagement Award Winner: Iqra Ghias
Meet the 2024 recipient of the Sana Elache Student Empowerment Award!
Iqra is a Grade 12 student at Westwood Community High School in Fort McMurray. She is an active leader and volunteer in her school and the wider Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). Iqra serves on the Mayor’s Advisory Council, advocating for rural communities, and is part of the student-led nonprofit Women in Tech, promoting women in STEM and organizing workshops for youth.
She participated in a University of Alberta research project on climate change and curriculum gaps. Passionate about community service, Iqra has volunteered with organizations like Northern Lights Hospital, Boys and Girls Club, and Wood Buffalo Regional Library. She also excels in financial literacy, ranking in the top 20 nationally in financial statement analysis.
Iqra has led three student-run social enterprises, including a recent initiative selling pill storage keychains to raise funds for children with cancer.
Currently, she heads a nonprofit focused on providing global access to education. Her work reflects a strong commitment to leadership, advocacy, and creating positive change.
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.
