Nominations for the 2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards are now closed.

The Awards will take place in Vancouver at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Friday, February 24, 2012.

For more information regarding ticket packages, please contact ticketsales@naaf.ca.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards recognize Aboriginal professionals who demonstrate outstanding career achievement in diverse occupations, building self esteem and pride as well as providing valuable role models for Aboriginal youth. Supported by the public and private sectors, this Aboriginal initiative represents the highest honour the community bestows upon its own achievers.

Each year 14 recipients are selected by a national jury for their outstanding accomplishments in various disciplines, as well as specific recognition to one outstanding youth and a lifetime achiever. The 14 recipients are then honoured at a nationally televised gala awards ceremony.

Eligibility Requirements
Any person in Canada may nominate individuals:
• Of First Nations, Inuit or Métis heritage;
Who demonstrate outstanding career achievement;
• Of any age (youth achiever nominees must be 15-24 years of age);
• Who are permanent Canadian residents or Canadian born.
 
Please note that nominations on behalf of the deceased will not be accepted. Jurors are ineligible for nomination, nor may they submit nominations or support letters.

NOMINATION CATEGORIES:

- SPECIAL YOUTH AWARD (Age: 15-24)

- ARTS
Artists, performers, writers, architects, etc

- BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Careers in business, finance, commerce, entrepreneurs, etc.

- CULTURE, HERITAGE & SPIRITUALITY
Elders, spiritual leaders, First Nations, Inuit, Métis languages, etc.

- EDUCATION
Teachers, trainers, college & university professors/lecturers, researchers, scientists, etc.

- ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES
Careers in agriculture, energy, forestry, fisheries, mining, gas & oil, water, etc.

- HEALTH
Medical doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, specialists (psychiatrists, dentists, optometrists, etc.), pharmacists, medical technicians, traditional healers, etc.

- LAW & JUSTICE
Lawyers, judges, paralegals, court workers, traditional approaches to conflict resolution, etc. 

- MEDIA & COMUNICATIONS
Careers in journalism, television, radio, newspaper, magazines, etc.

- POLITICS
Community leaders, Chiefs, counselors, politicians at the regional, provincial & federal levels, etc.

- PUBLIC SERVICE
Careers in administration, social services, housing, public works, human resources, etc.

- SPORTS
Athletes, coaches, etc.

- TECHNOLOGY & TRADES
Engineers, technologists, computer sciences, etc.

- LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Note: As part of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards process, only the recipients selected for the current year are contacted. If your nomination was not selected this year, it will go forward to the next two Award juries.