OPG Announces John Wesley Beaver Award Winners

August 25, 2016

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has named Shadrak Gobert and Stephanie Seymour as the 2016 recipients of the OPG John Wesley Beaver (JWB) Memorial Student Awards.

The JWB Student Awards reflect OPG’s commitment to helping Indigenous youth in their field of post-secondary studies.

Shadrak Gobert is a University of Toronto fourth year student studying Aboriginal and Environmental Studies. He plans to pursue a career within the field of renewable energy projects being developed on Indigenous land. Gobert is from Frog Lake First Nation in Alberta, and has been living in Ontario for 10 years.

Stephanie Seymour is a PhD Candidate and is pursuing a Doctorate in Forestry/Natural Resources Management at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Her research is focused on reducing First Nations fossil fuel dependency and replacing it with biomass renewable energy. Seymour is from the Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie.

“These young people have worked extremely hard. Both are eager to share their knowledge with peers and the next generation,” says Jeff Lyash OPG President and CEO. “This special program also highlights our commitment to youth and education by supporting Indigenous students who are continuing their education.”

OPG has a strong commitment to developing and maintaining mutually beneficial working relationships with Indigenous communities in Ontario. The company is working with more than 50 Indigenous communities helping create opportunities, training and jobs.

OPG provides about half the power Ontario relies on. The electricity OPG produces is more than 99% free of greenhouse gas and smog causing emissions.