Photo source: Junos Press Kit
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the prestigious national award which recognizes and honours Canadian music teachers annually.
Amongst Canada’s best musical talent being recognized at the upcoming Juno’s in Vancouver, a local teacher in Mini Thni has been nominated for this year’s MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.
For the past eighteen years, Drew Van Allen has taught with the Stoney Education Authority and has become a valued member of Mini Thni’s community.
Amongst the five teachers nominated for the award, Mr. Van Allen is the only one from Western Canada.
While the award Mr. Van Allen is nominated for highlights his teaching ability, it also highlights his impact on the greater community.
Honoured to be nominated for the award, Mr. Van Allen shares how the nomination highlights the efforts made at Nakota Elementary School to empower the next generation.
What makes the programming special is its connection to the Nakoda culture through music where students get to try their hand at Nakoda style of Powwow drumming on a kettle round drum made for the program.
Mr. Allen explains how meaningful it means to students who’ve long since graduated from the school that their hard work as a child is archived on the school’s Youtube page.
The 2025 Juno’s will be Sunday, March 30 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
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