Flight 302 Legacy Award

Areas of interest: post-neoliberal African subjecthood and institutions, gender inclusion and culture.

Pius Adeola Adesanmi was a global citizen with unflinching devotion to higher education, particularly in Africa. He was a professor of English, comparative and African literatures and director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada until his death in the Ethiopian Airlines 302 crash on March 10, 2019.

He was an outstanding and highly decorated scholar and in great demand as a distinguished public intellectual, speaker, columnist, satirist and writer.

Areas of interest: environmental and wildlife protection and conservation.

Darcy Michael Belanger was admired for his courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities. He was passionately devoted to the protection of all life through the realization of the marine Arctic peace sanctuary (MAPS). Belanger was travelling to the UN environment assembly to spread awareness about this very important initiative.

Belanger’s unwavering dedication shows one person really can make a difference if they are committed to making meaningful change in the world.

Areas of interest: educational and economic empowerment of youth and women, mental health in the workplace.

Stéphanie was a franco-Ontarian from Timmins, Ontario. She was a warm, smart, kind, curious, highly motivated professional who brought a special energy to her work. Her passion for international development and creating a better world shined through her actions both personally and professionally. Stéphanie had a remarkable impact on those she served and she continues to inspire her friends, family and colleagues each and every day.

In 2015, Stéphanie graduated with a bachelor of social science in international development and globalization from the University of Ottawa. She worked in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi on educational and economic empowerment of youth and women as well as mental health in the workplace.

Areas of interest: Indigenous education, environmental conservation and parks, ocean and water stewardship.

Micah was born and raised in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, B.C. and had Métis heritage.

He was concerned for the health of nature and the oceans but had optimism for creative solutions. He completed his degree in Indigenous studies and continued to work towards his belief that incorporating indigenous viewpoints and traditional knowledge are extremely valuable.

Micah connected with friends and coworkers in a way that was inclusive and inspiring. He was a self-taught musician and played ukulele, guitar and banjo.

Areas of interest: protecting marine life, teaching youth, community building, improving food security, making music, painting and learning new skills.

Danielle Moore lived her life full of hope and believed in creating great change for a more just and environmentally sustainable planet. In her 24 years, she touched the lives of countless people across Canada and around the world.

Danielle studied marine biology and volunteered and worked tirelessly, advocating for the protection of marine life and habitats. She taught taught kids in underserved communities how to code and tackling social justice issues. She was a courageous leader, and environmental activist always keen to carry the hard work of sustainability forward.

The Pauls were a vibrant and loving family. Travelling to visit relatives, Caroline Quinns Nduta Pauls was accompanied by her nine-month-old daughter, Rubi; her four-year-old daughter, Kelli; and her six-year-old son, Ryan.

Caroline Quinns Nduta Pauls

Caroline was a loving mother and wife. She was academically gifted and pursued a career in finance and accounting. She aspired to help young girls in her native country, Kenya, pursue higher education.

Interests: accounting, finance and traveling.

Kelli Wanjiku Pauls

Kelli was four years old. She was an effervescent girl whose smile was priceless. She lived singing and playing on the swings. She shared a great love for family.

Interests: singing and dancing.

Rubi Wangui Pauls

Rubi was nine months old. She was a bubbly baby girl who brought a lot of joy to the family. She liked the sound of music. She was a princess.

Interests: music.

Ryan Njoroge Njuguna Pauls

Ryan was six years old. He was an academically gifted boy who loved playing soccer and athletics. Ryan exuded a contagious “joie de vivre”.

Interests: learning, especially about the galaxy and computers.

Areas of interest: ocean lover, tree climber, animal advocate, athlete, nurtured by nature.

Angela Rehhorn was a graduate from Dalhousie University and had a degree in marine biology. Dedicated to conservation, Angela was travelling to Kenya with the United Nations Association of Canada.

She aspired to live an eco-conscience life, spend lots of time outdoors and provide service to her communities and inspire others. She worked hard to inspire others and she strove to live life to the fullest: “I am on a quest to learn and experience as much as I possibly can within my lifetime.”

Alaina Bryce, from Pictou County, Nova Scotia, is in her fourth year of environmental engineering at Dalhousie University. With a strong passion for marine conservation, she has worked with Halifax Water as a water quality research student and is actively involved in climate advocacy through the Nova Scotia Youth Climate Council.

Alaina finds deep inspiration in Angela Rehhorn, who shared her love for marine ecosystems and also studied at Dalhousie. She recently accepted a position in coastal engineering, where she aims to continue protecting marine environments. The Flight 302 Legacy Award empowers her to pursue meaningful climate advocacy and expand environmental initiatives across Nova Scotia.

Grace Alberts is an environmental researcher dedicated to marine and environmental law. Inspired by the victims of Flight 302, she focuses on legal solutions for protecting the High Seas, an area critical to planetary health that lacks adequate protections.

The Flight 302 Legacy Award has provided Grace with the financial security to fully engage in her studies and explore new academic and professional opportunities, including international experiences that were previously out of reach. She hopes to develop policy-driven climate solutions that benefit both Canadians and global communities.

Isaac Wright is a Master of Social Work student at the University of Calgary and a Registered Social Worker based in Halifax. His work focuses on counselling and community support for 2SLGBTQIA+ postsecondary students, particularly in areas of mental health, addiction, and suicide prevention.

The Flight 302 Legacy Award allows Isaac to fully dedicate himself to his research, which explores the experiences of transgender adults with suicidal ideation. He honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward their commitment to community-driven change, striving to improve crisis care for marginalized communities through research and direct intervention.

James Kotuah Sakeah, a PhD student in epidemiology at the University of Ottawa, is committed to improving health equity and resilience among community health workers in Ghana. Inspired by Stéphanie Lacroix’s work in mental health and economic empowerment, he focuses on gender-transformative global health initiatives.

The Flight 302 Legacy Award provides James with the resources to complete his research and support marginalized communities. He will soon serve as a Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor with WUSC Canada’s INVEST IN HER project in Ghana, furthering his mission to advance women’s empowerment and equitable healthcare.

Emma Kingsland is a student at Simon Fraser University dedicated to ecological restoration, wetland conservation, and environmental education. She is passionate about engaging communities in habitat protection throughout British Columbia.

Inspired by Danielle Moore’s advocacy for marine ecosystems and social justice, Emma aims to carry forward her legacy of environmental activism and education. The Flight 302 Legacy Award allows her to expand her conservation efforts and pursue a career in habitat restoration and environmental policy.

Sanjo Abolarin, a PhD candidate in geography at Queen’s University, researches the social and environmental impacts of energy extraction in Nigeria. His work focuses on developing policies for equitable resource management, ensuring that marginalized communities have a voice in sustainability discussions.

Inspired by Pius Adesanmi, Danielle Moore, and Micah Messent, Sanjo integrates advocacy with research to promote climate justice. The Flight 302 Legacy Award supports his work in amplifying community voices and influencing policies that promote justice-oriented environmental solutions.

Michael Broz is a PhD candidate in philosophy at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. His research focuses on justice, ethics, and societal responsibilities, exploring how institutions can better serve all members of society.

The Flight 302 Legacy Award supports Michael in continuing his work on social justice and examining Canada’s role in creating a more compassionate and equitable world. Inspired by the values of the Flight 302 passengers, he hopes his research will contribute to meaningful change in both policy and philosophy.

Jessica Khoury is a law student at McGill University who is passionate about environmental law and policy. With a background in marine biology, she aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and legal frameworks to strengthen conservation and climate policies.

The Flight 302 Legacy Award allows Jessica to pursue experiential learning opportunities beyond traditional legal education, equipping her with the tools to develop policies that balance environmental conservation with socio-economic priorities. Inspired by the advocacy of the Flight 302 passengers, she is committed to driving systemic change in environmental law.

Stephanie Quon is a medical student at the University of British Columbia dedicated to sustainability and humanitarianism in healthcare. With an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, she has worked on projects merging technology and environmental responsibility.

In 2021, with Ocean Wise and funding from the Commemoration Fund for Victims of Flight 302, Stephanie developed open-access learning modules for engineering students on ocean sustainability and climate change. The Flight 302 Legacy Award provides her with the support to continue her studies while engaging in community-driven medical initiatives.

Jennifer Chinenye Emelife is a PhD candidate specializing in critical literacy education for youth in conflict zones. Her research project, Literacy Amidst Violent Conflict, equips Nigerian students and teachers with essential literacy skills for resilience and social transformation.

Inspired by Pius Adesanmi’s dedication to public education in Nigeria, Jennifer honours his legacy through her work. The Flight 302 Legacy Award supports her efforts to advance social justice through education, ensuring that marginalized youth have access to quality learning opportunities.

Jess Gibbard is a third-year student at the University of Victoria pursuing an Honours BSc in Linguistics with a Minor in Psychology. Her goal is to become a Speech-Language Pathologist, specializing in inclusive communication services.

Jess actively volunteers in speech therapy programs, working with transgender individuals, elementary school students, and stroke survivors. Inspired by the values of Danielle Moore, Micah Messent, and Stéphanie Lacroix, she uses the Flight 302 Legacy Award to continue her volunteer work without financial constraints, allowing her to support underserved communities.

Fatima Halilu, a third-year biology student at Cape Breton University, is dedicated to climate action and community engagement. Her research focuses on CO₂ carbon capture and storage using seawater and local coal mines to develop sustainable environmental solutions.

Fatima actively participates in STEM outreach for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian students and advocates for climate action through the Nova Scotia Youth Climate Council. Inspired by Danielle Moore’s passion for environmental sustainability, the Flight 302 Legacy Award enables her to continue her work in climate advocacy and education.

Manuelitha Darlie Jean is a social work student dedicated to supporting women and children affected by domestic violence. Inspired by Caroline Pauls’ dedication to her children’s future and Stéphanie Lacroix’s global advocacy, she aims to empower vulnerable women through education and financial independence.

The Flight 302 Legacy Award enables Manuelitha to expand her community work, including developing self-employment workshops and leading education sessions on healthy relationships to prevent gender-based violence. Her mission is to challenge systemic oppression and create a Canada where all women and girls are safe and free.

Jerry Gan is a master’s student in special education at the University of Alberta, focused on creating inclusive learning environments for culturally diverse students. His work aims to dismantle barriers in education and promote equitable opportunities for all learners.

Inspired by the humanitarian principles of the Flight 302 victims, Jerry integrates compassion, care, and advocacy into his research. The Flight 302 Legacy Award provides him with the financial support needed to continue his studies and work towards systemic change in education.