Each year, our club honours a student of Indigenous ancestry who contributes and demonstrates leadership qualities in the community and in the promotion of Indigenous histories, and cultural and language revitalization. On Friday, October 30, 2026 we presented this award to Xen-Cassidy Mckenzie.
Until June of 2026, Xen was a student at GCVI and is now a student at the University of Guelph in their music program, and is also working as an assistant with the Indigenous Student Centre on campus.
Xen was one of the driving forces and a key leader in creating GCVI's first Indigenous Student Affinity Club called Skoden (an Indigenous term that is a short-form contraction contraction of the statement “Let's go then!”). Driven by their passion for creating safe spaces for Indigenous students in the building, Zen helped form community and engaged in cultural learning. The club started with three members, but now there is consistent engagement with more and more Indigenous students involved each year.
Xen was also instrumental in the coordination of GCVI's first Indigenous-informed and led Truth and Reconciliation Day event. In addition, he created and led short Anishinaabemowin language lessons for the Life Skills Class; coordinated and facilitated beading workshop open for all students to learn Indigenous beadwork techniques; was part of the first ever Hoop Dance performance on the GCVI stage; and helped to share Indigenous cultures with the whole school.
Xen's former teachers at GCVI were delighted to learn that he was being recognized by our club for his extensive contributions! His proud mom and his high school coach for Indigenous activities, Amanda Spencer, were present for this presentation.
Xen says, “My end goal is to become a teacher and give back to the community, the same way so many teachers have for me.”
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