Premier's Award Recipients
2022 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Jason Rasevych
2010 Graduate - Business - Administration Marketing
2006 Graduate - Business – Marketing
Business category
Jason Rasevych learned from an early age that Indigenous rights must include economic rights. He watched his father challenge for Indigenous rights, especially for his home community of Ginoogaming First Nation. Today, Rasevych continues that work as partner, national Indigenous client services lead at Deloitte Canada, one of the largest financial firms in the country. He manages close to $1 billion in accounts for 20 First Nations and provides business advice to over 230 more. He helped spearhead several important projects in northwestern Ontario, including the Matawa Broadband Project. He was named one of Canada’s Top Economic Developers in 2018.
2014 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Georjann Morriseau
2009 Graduate — Aboriginal Law and Advocacy program
Recent Graduate Category
Georjann Morriseau is only the second woman to be elected to Fort William First Nation’s (FWFN) highest position, and at just 28 years old, she was by far the youngest. Chief Morriseau has been affecting change for many years in several advocacy roles. Before taking office, Morriseau secured funding through government grant programs to organize and host a provincial conference on good governance aimed at youth, which attracted many community leaders across Ontario. Morriseau was instrumental in launching the Governance Development Network, which helps First Nation communities with governance strategic planning and policy development. She was also invited to sit on the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) board of directors when she was 25, helping allocate $120 million in funding annually.
Chief Morriseau has had many successes in a short time as well. She legitimized and promoted sustainable economic development with a plan to establish a standalone corporation to generate revenue and opportunity for her community. Chief Morriseau also broke ground on a new Ceremonial Pow Wow Grounds, announced plans for a Elders Care Facility, and is arranging a new housing subdivision.
2013 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Ramesh Ferris
2001 Graduate - Social Service Worker program
Community Services Category
Ramesh has been compared by many to Terry Fox and Rick Hansen for his dedication to eradicating polio worldwide.
Ramesh Ferris is one of the most influential polio activists in the world, committed to eradicating the disease by 2018. Born in India and a polio survivor himself, Ramesh was the first international adoption in the Yukon. After graduating from Confederation College, Ramesh reunited with his birth mother in India where he saw the ravages of polio and vowed to fight the disease. He organized Cycle to Walk and meets national and local leaders around the world, raising awareness about vaccination. He successfully lobbied Prime Minister Harper to commit $250 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in April.
2008 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Andrew Moorey
Graduate: Entrepreneurship program
Business Category
Andrew Moorey is the founder, President, and CEO of Global Hydration Water Treatment Systems Inc. A global leader in the field of emergency water purification, Global Hydration was founded in response to the many water issues plaguing the global community. Starting with the development of the patent pending Can Pure™ Water Purification System (WPS), Andrew continued to grow the company, securing the distribution rights for strategic products such as water purification tablets and expanding its core technologies to include desalination. Andrew’s innate sense of responsibility extends to others by directing Global Hydration’s involvement with humanitarian projects around the world.
2004 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Major Doug Clements
Graduate: Aviation Flight Management
Technology Category
Since graduation, Major Clements became a Military Pilot and flight instructor, flying the CF-18. He ranked first in his classes and graduated from the Canadian "Top Gun" school and attained "Mass Attack Lead Status". He did two NATO Peacekeeping tours in 1997 and 1999. He was the 2003 Demo pilot for the CF-18 and flew in Air Shows across the continent. He is currently assigned to a Staff Job in Ottawa and is responsible for the purchase of new and future equipment for the CF-18 fleet and future generation fighters.
1994 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Gino Sonego
1980 Graduate: Architectural (Design) Technician
Technology Category
Mr. Sonego graduated from the Architectural Design Technology Program at Confederation College in 1980. After an apprenticeship of four years, he was certified as a stonemason in 1985. That same year, he was injured in a fall which left him a quadriplegic and unable to practice his trade.
Following a six-month rehabilitation program, Mr. Sonego was hired at Wing Construction as Contract Administrator, a position he still holds. He is responsible for site inspections, coordinating with sub-contractors and acting as a liaison between the sub-trades and main office. In addition to his busy work schedule, Mr. Sonego is a member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association and was its Chairman in 1993-94. He was honorary Chair of the Provincial Games for the Physically Disabled in Thunder Bay in 1993 and was Most Outstanding Wheelchair Athlete at the 1987 games. In 1993, he received the Community Action Award from the Ministry of Citizenship.
Gino Sonego's determination to overcome the obstacles he has faced to apply the skills learned in his program, and his commitment to promoting awareness of the needs of the paraplegic community make it a pleasure to honour him with a Premier's Award.
1993 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Bradley C. A. Greaves
Graduate: Aviation (Flight) Management program
Technology Category
Mr. Greaves is a graduate of the Aviation Flight Management Program at Confederation College. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Lakehead University.
Before funding his own company, Northwestern Adventure Group, in 1987, Mr. Greaves worked as a pilot for several regional carriers in the Thunder Bay area, and taught flying at the Lakehead Flying school. His community involvement extends back to high school and has been focused on community development in the Northwestern Ontario region since he joined the Ignace Economic Development Committee in 1986 and chaired in 1993. Mr. Greaves was also President of the Patricia Business Development Centre, a corporation set up to provide financial and consulting assistance to small business in the Patricia Region.
Since 1990, Mr. Greaves has been a member of the Advisory Committee for his program at Confederation College, and has shown his commitment to the program by hiring its graduates at his company. His belief in contributing to his community for the betterment of all are the qualities sought in a Premier's Award recipients.
1992 Ontario Premier's Award Recipient
Mae V. Katt
Diploma Nursing
Health Sciences Category
Mae Katt is a graduate of the Nursing Program at Confederation College. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Lakehead University and completed three years of the program towards a Bachelor of Social Work degree before deciding to attain a Master of Education degree, which she will complete next year.
Ms Katt is a member of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai Nation. Her commitment to education offers an excellent role model to other Indigenous students She has participated in the Aboriginal Recruitment Program at Confederation College and directs Lakehead University's Native Nurses Entry Program.
Ms Katt is a dedicated advocate of community health care and as Health Director of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, she has made a genuine difference in the quality of life of the native community of Thunder Bay. Her duties include coordinating health program delivery to forty-six First Nations, finding funding for programs, training and supervising staff and general administration - all accomplished while studying and as parent to four young children she has recently adopted.
Mae Katt's commitment to community health and continuing education exemplify the qualities embodied by the Premier's Awards.
For more information regarding the Premier's Awards, or to suggest a nomination, contact the Confederation College Alumni Association:
By e-mail: [email protected]
By telephone: Thunder Bay Area: 475-6509
Outside of Thunder Bay: 1 (888) 845-7735