KARLA BUFFALO RECOGNIZED WITH THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD AT THE HEART OF WOOD BUFFALO EXCELLENCE AWARDS

(June 27, 2022, Fort McMurray, AB) – Chief Executive Officer of the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC), Karla Buffalo, was awarded the Executive Leadership Award at the Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards. The awards ceremony took place Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Karla was recognized for her exceptional leadership of ATC, which focuses on relationship building at a grassroots level to align services and staff with community priorities. A strong advocate for Aboriginal and Treaty rights, Indigenous people, and reconciliation, Karla works to bring Indigenous perspectives to partnership opportunities in the region.

“It brings me a great deal of pride to see the leadership that Karla brings to the Athabasca Tribal Council being recognized by the broader regional community,” said Chief Adam, President of Athabasca Tribal Council. “Karla’s guidance has been instrumental in ATC’s ability to quickly adapt and respond to changing needs during the pandemic and growing ATC’s role in the region to be seen as a leader in Indigenous rights, perspectives and reconciliation. Congratulations, Karla, on this well-deserved award.”

Nominations come from the region's community members in a variety of categories. ATC congratulates all the winners of the Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards, highlighting the valuable contributions and social impact these leaders and organizations have made.

Recipients include:

Executive Leadership Award: Karla Buffalo

Board Leadership Award: Christal Ford Grant

Philanthropy Award: Chris Wilson

Community Impact Award: Willow Lake Tiny Tots

Newcomer Engagement Award: Gaylene Weidlich

Volunteer Recognition Award: Miranda Noseworthy

Collaboration of the Year: The Wood Buffalo Health Neighborhood

Excellence in Social Innovation: Arts Council Wood Buffalo

For more information on the Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards, visit www.heartofwoodbuffalo.ca.

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About ATC

Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information, visit atcfn.ca.

For more information:

Karla Buffalo

Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council

karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca

Main Office Phone: (780) 791-6538