Our Emerging Leader Award is granted to applicants who demonstrate a deep commitment to addressing gender and sexual violence against Indigenous people, who are utilizing their studies to lead ongoing efforts to raise awareness, support survivors, or prevent future violence. Each Emerging Leader Award recipient is given a $500 honorarium.
JAYLEN FRANCIS-HERNE
Jaylen grew up on Mohawk Territory called Akwesasne and is a mother of a beautiful girl. Her academic journey has not been the usual, it’s taken her ten years of inconsistent schooling to finally find the determination to get her degree. After she had her daughter, she knew she had to do it for her. She applied back to her original higher education institution she started with, SUNY Potsdam, and she is finally in her senior year. She is grateful for every obstacle she has faced, because it made her who she is today. A proud Indigenous scholar.