NTFT Awards & Gala
Celebrating people who use their voice, creativity and leadership to prevent the harms of bullying and build more caring, inclusive communities.
The NTFT Leadership Conference & Awards Gala brings together students, educators, artists, supporters and community members for a day of learning, connection, leadership development and celebration.
The Leadership Conference gives young people the opportunity to build on the themes explored through NTFT programming through interactive sessions focused on leadership, empathy, inclusion, resilience, speaking up, supporting others and creating positive change in their schools and communities.
The NTFT Awards Gala recognizes students and schools across Canada that demonstrate exceptional leadership in standing up to bullying, challenging stigma and helping create kinder, safer and more inclusive communities.
Together, the conference and gala create space for young people to develop practical leadership skills, share ideas, connect with others, celebrate meaningful action and be recognized for the difference they are making.
Schools and groups that participate in NTFT programming are eligible for award consideration. We encourage schools to share stories, photos, projects and examples of how students have continued the NTFT message and created positive change in their school or community.
STUDENTS MAKING THEIR MARK
Past NTFT Award recipients have included the Grade 3 & 4 students at Treherne Elementary School in Manitoba.
After participating in the NTFT Virtual Tour, the class carried the message forward through a series of kindness and community initiatives. They created and delivered more than 600 handmade ornaments to homes and businesses in Treherne and Rathwell, intentionally including people whose contributions are often overlooked, such as custodians, bus drivers and other community members who help keep their school and community running.
The students also raised funds to help other schools access NTFT programming, supported local families and organizations, and launched their own “Make Your Mark” challenge to inspire others to create positive change in their communities.
The video featured here show how students described feeling after the presentation and what inspired them to take what they had learned and turn it into action.
PRESENTED BY JIM & SANDI TRELIVING
Treherne Elementary School’s NTFT Award was presented by Jim and Sandi Treliving, longtime philanthropists and advocates for mental health and community wellbeing.
Jim grew up in rural Manitoba and went on to become one of Canada’s most recognized entrepreneurs and a longtime Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, where he became known for mentoring and investing in people with promising ideas.
Jim and Sandi have also been longstanding supporters of mental health, including through their involvement with CAMH and initiatives focused on reducing stigma, advancing research and supporting people across Canada.
Their involvement made the recognition especially meaningful — connecting students creating positive change in rural Manitoba with leaders who have spent decades helping others succeed and strengthening communities.
2023 & 2024 NTFT Awards
2024 WINNING STUDENTS & SCHOOLS
Elmer S. Gish School, AB
Faith Cellan, ON
General Currie Elementary School, BC
Gracefield Public School, ON
Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School, ON
Mountview Alternative School, ON
Nackawic Elementary School, NB
Place Cartier Adult Education Centre, QC
Somerset Consolidated School, PE
St. Teresa School, AB
Sullivan Community School, ON
Tamarac Education Centre, NS
Margaret Manson School, QC
Shreya Gupta, ON
2022 NTFT Awards
2022 WINNING SCHOOLS
Annapolis West Education Centre, NS
Belfast Consolidated School, PEI
Chan Kagha Otina Dakota Wayawa Tipi School, MB
Dasmesh Punjabi School, BC
École Corinthia Park School, AB
Kisipatnahk School, AB
Queen Elizabeth Public School, ON
Random Island Academy, NL
South Corman Park School, SK
Studio9 Independent School of the Arts, BC
2021 NTFT Awards
2021 WINNING SCHOOLS
Chetwynd Secondary School, BC
Elmsdale District School, NS
John Diefenbaker School, SK
Maple Grove Elementary School, QC
Mealy Mountain Collegiate, NL
Neepawa Middle School, MB
Perth-Andover Middle School, NB
Rocky Lake Junior High School, NS
Treherne Elementary School, MB