Calgary 2025 SAIA Nominations

Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2025

SAIA encourages nominations that celebrate individuals, organizations, and businesses who are driving positive and meaningful change and are promoting gender equity. We are looking for people, groups, organization, and businesses with South Asian roots who have gone above and beyond to serve and make a positive impact in the South Asian community, or in the greater Calgary community.

If you believe you or someone you know deserves one of the SAIA Awards, please read the guidelines below carefully, complete the online application form, and submit it to us. We are excited to hear what innovative and inspirational things are happening in the community!

WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT ONE NOMINATION PER PERSON PER CATEGORY.

The first nomination received will be the only one considered. Additional nominations for the nominee in the same category will not be considered.

Please review the Nominee Eligibility and Nominee Consent below before completing the Nomination Form.

See the list of South Asian Inspiration Awards here.

You can view the SAIA Nomination Guidelines here.

SAIA Nominee Eligibility

To be eligible for a SAIA award, all nominees must:

  • reside in Calgary or surrounding areas;
  • be eighteen (18) years of age or older, except,
    • the Rising Star Award is for those individuals aged 14 to 19 during this calendar year;
    • the Still Going Strong Award is for those individuals who are 65 years or older during this calendar year;
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or have valid legal status in Canada;
  • not be an elected official or currently running for elected office;
  • have no criminal conviction for which a pardon has not been received;
  • consent to the nomination and publication of their name, photo, and related information,
    • for Rising Star nominees under the age of 18, this consent must also be provided by their parent or legal guardian.

SAIA Nominee Consent

All nominees must provide confirmation of their understanding and consent to the collection and use of their personal information by SAIA.

As nominator, you must contact the nominee and ask for consent. You must then ensure to tick off the box on the nomination form that this step has been completed and that the nominee has given consent.

For Rising Star nominees under the age of 18, you must contact their parent or legal guardian and receive consent.

NOMINATE A DESERVING INDIVIDUAL

Nomination Form

Note: The Nomination Form must be completed in one sitting.

NOMINATION FORM

The reference form can be downloaded from the Reference section in the Nomination Form. The reference process is completed after you have submitted your nomination.

Once the form is submitted, it cannot be changed.

References

Upload your TWO (2) references below.

REFERENCE UPLOAD

Instructional video on how to complete the Nomination Process – ENGLISH

Instructional video on how to complete the Nomination Process – PUNJABI

Selection Committee

  1. The Awards Selection Committee consists of two SAIA board members and three local community representatives from diverse backgrounds.
  2. Each member of the Selection Committee has signed a Confidentiality Agreement.
  3. The Awards Selection Committee reviews all nominations for overall eligibility and completeness.
  4. Awards Selection Committee members use a common ranking system (rubric). 
  5. Nominations are evaluated and ranked based solely on the content of the Nomination form and the references.
  6. The Awards Selection Committee may select a nominee for an award in a category other than the category for which they were nominated.
  7. The SAIA Awards Selection Committee will notify each award winner prior to the Awards Gala.
  8. The Awards Selection Committee reserves the right to withhold an award in any category for any reason. The SAIA Board reserves the right to revoke an award if subsequent circumstances regarding the recipient’s character or conduct are deemed to contradict the values of the agency or negatively impact its reputation.
  9. The award categories are intended to cover the major areas of contribution. However, we recognize that not everything will be represented and invite suggestions for subsequent years.