Achieving
excellence
The 17th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards ready to roll
The 17th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) will take place on March 26, 2010, in Regina, Saskatchewan.
With hosts Andrea Menard (The Velvet Devil, Rabbit Fall) and Raoul Trujillo (True Blood, Apocalypto) the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards continue the mission of celebrating Aboriginal Canadians who have made a profound positive impact in their communities, across Canada, and worldwide.
Featuring performers including international music icon Buffy Sainte-Marie, Crystal Shawanda, Elisapie Isaac, Lorne Cardinal, Michael Greyeyes and Leemai Lafontaine, the 17th annual NAAA will recognize the achievements of the following individuals:
• William Commanda, OC - Lifetime Achievement Award
• Skawenniio Barnes - Special Youth Award
• Kananginak Pootoogook - Arts
• Ellen Melcosky - Business & Commerce
• Tom Crane Bear - Culture, Heritage & Spirituality
• Dr. Raoul McKay - Education
• Danny Beaton - Environment & Natural Resources
• Madeleine Kétéskwew Dion Stout, BN, MA, Ph.D (Hon.) - Health
• Donald E. Worme, QC, IPC - Law & Justice
• Kenneth Atsenhaienton Deer - Media & Communications
• Hon. Eric William Robinson - Politics
• Edith Cloutier - Public Service
• Monica Pinette - Sports
• Doug Henry - Technology & Trades
“Every year the jury selects an extraordinary group of recipients who reveal such outstanding talent and dedicated service.” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.
“Held in Regina, Saskatchewan, the NAAA 2010 focuses on the theme of Potential and, the ability within us all to achieve greatness, despite obstacles.
The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation proudly announces Global Television and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network as the returning exclusive broadcast partners of the 17th annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.
The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is a nationally registered non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples, especially youth to achieve their potential.
“Since 1985 the Foundation through its Education Program has awarded more than $32-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 8,400 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide.
ART
Kananginak Pootoogook
Inuit, Cape Dorset, NU
Mr. Pootoogook has dedicated a lifetime to the preservation and expression of his culture through the language of visual arts. Born on the Arctic tundra in a small camp on Baffin Island, he now resides in Cape Dorset, while his artwork is on regular display at Feheley Fine Arts, in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. Through prints, drawings and sculptures, he meticulously documents the Inuit way of life, the land and environment.
In Cape Dorset, Mr. Pootoogook helped found the town’s first ever Inuit print studio. Just a couple of years later, he co-founded the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, which moved beyond artwork, into retail, tourism, crafts and food, challenging the dominance of The Hudson’s Bay Company in Cape Dorset. Now celebrating its 50th year, the cooperative helped the community move towards cultural, political, and social independence for Inuit in south Baffin Island.
BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Ellen Melcosky
Shuswap, member of the Esketemc First Nation (formerly known as Alkali),
Cariboo/Chilcotin area of British Columbia
Ellen Melcosky is being recognized for building a successful gourmet smoked salmon brand, Little Miss Chief, that draws on her heritage as part of the Esketemc First Nation.
Thriving for 15 years, Little Miss Chief was started by Ms. Melcosky out of her home, and built with the support of friends, family, and community groups; despite the fact that financial institutions at the time were less than supportive of Aboriginal women without extensive business experience. Ms. Melcosky developed a business model that has generated jobs for fishermen, packing houses, processors, warehouses, packagers and artists.
Never losing track of her vision, Ellen Melcosky discovered an entrepreneurial ability that has allowed her to develop an internationally distributed brand, and a reputation as a shrewd marketer. Focused on creating a brand that is “truly an Aboriginal product of British Columbia, a product of Canada and a gourmet product,” Ms. Melcosky has brought Little Miss Chief to duty-free shops, high end gift stores, gift basket companies and gourmet grocery stores, reaching Spain, United States, the Netherlands and Poland.
A tenacious, self-made entrepreneur who has made a career of taking an Aboriginal food staple to an international clientele, Ellen Melcosky is a shining example of the success celebrated by the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA).
CULTURE, HERITAGE & SPIRITUALITY
Tom Crane Bear
Siksika Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy, AB
Tom Crane Bear is frequently referred to as a “walking library,” as one of the few Elders in Blackfoot country who is knowledgeable in all areas of his tradition. He provided spiritual services in Alberta and Ontario prisons and worked for Aboriginal counselling services, applying his experience and spiritual knowledge to the benefit of Aboriginal youth.
In the 1990’s, Mr. Crane Bear served as an Elder advisor for the Siksika Land Claims, Siksika Justice and Aboriginal Justice Learning Networks in Ottawa. As a spiritual Elder for the Banff Centre’s Aboriginal programs, Mr. Crane Bear worked with a small group of Elders to transfer a painted Blackfoot tipi as a ceremonial place of significance on Buffalo Mountain, as a teaching place for all nations. In 1993, Mr. Crane Bear was inducted into the Indigenous Elder’s Circle at the People’s Conference in New Zealand and given the title “Honourable Elder”. In 1982, he took training as a Life Skill’s Coach and taught for two years in human behaviour in Edmonton. The pipe was transferred to Mr. Crane Bear in a ceremony conducted by the Peigan Elders, led by the late Joe Crowshoe.
EDUCATION
Dr. Raoul J. McKay
Red River Métis, MB
Dr. McKay dedicated his life as a bi-lingual educator influencing thousands of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal high school and university students and earned four university degrees including a Ph.D. in history from the University of Toronto. He developed Indigenous programs and courses at Trent University, Lakehead University, and McMaster University and was the founding head of the Department of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. In consultation with Indigenous communities, he established programs such as the Pre-Medicine Program for Native People and social studies programs for public schools.
Dr. McKay has assisted First Nations and Métis communities in their aspirations by promoting sovereignty, enabling them to narrate their own history and creating educational, political and economic systems for the betterment of their citizens.
In addition, Dr. McKay is an influential documentary film producer. His work includes two 13-part series’ entitled La Voix des Mechif I and II and The Life and Work of Daphne Odjig.
ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES
Danny Beaton
Turtle Clan Mohawk Haudenosaunee Iroquois Six Nations
Danny Beaton is a Turtle Clan Mohawk of Grand River Six Nations Territory. For over 20 years, he has been defending and protecting Mother Earth from environmental destruction. In 1992 he was the recipient of the Governor General’s Medal for outstanding contributions to his fellow Canadians. His environmental stewardship has not only impacted Aboriginal communities in Canada, but also around the globe.
Mr. Beaton has successfully defended great caribou herds in Alaska with Sarah James, central to the economy and basic life of the Gwitchen Nation; helped save the sacred remains of the traditional Seminole territories in Florida; and worked with Indigenous people from the Amazon Rainforest to protect their cultures and traditional territories. He has worked with the Northern Cree, Innu, Inuit, Apache and Ojibway to protect their homeland.
In 1990, Mr. Beaton was bestowed the great honour of being invited to join the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth by Chief Oren Lyons. This grassroots coalition of spiritual leaders from across North America gathers to maintain sacred ceremonies and traditional council.
Danny Beaton has worked with all forms of communication with the arts to defend and protect the environment, such as photography, filmmaking, music, writing and teaching, expressing his vision from an Aboriginal perspective. Mr. Beaton received grants from The Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council to study Traditional Native Flute music at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Professor Ed Wapp Sac Fox/Commanche. He has performed and lectured in Japan, the UK and across the USA, while playing traditional flute, upon request.
HEALTH
Madeleine Kétéskwew Dion Stout, BN, MA, Ph.D
Cree, Kehewin First Nation, AB
Through her numerous accomplishments as a nurse, teacher, and philosopher, Ms. Dion Stout is a leader in the health development of Aboriginal people.
Ms. Dion Stout’s family provided her with a strong head start on the Kehewin First Nation. After graduating as a registered nurse in 1968, she returned to school to complete a Bachelor of Nursing with Distinction. She then completed her MA in International Affairs.
Because of her numerous successes, Madeleine Kétéskwew Dion Stout was honoured with an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia. As well, the Canadian Nurses Association chose her for the Centennial Award that was given to 100 outstanding nurses in 2008.
Ms. Dion Stout was appointed by Prime Minister Jean Chretien as a member of the National Forum on Health. She was recently appointed Vice-Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. She also serves on several non-governmental boards and committees.
Currently Madeleine Kétéskwew Dion Stout is the president of her consulting company, Dion Stout Reflections, which has positioned her as an authority on using a Cree lens to understand Aboriginal health.
LAW & JUSTICE
Donald Worme, QC, IPC
Kawacatoose First Nation, Treaty Four, SK
Donald Worme, QC, IPC is founding member of the Indigenous Bar Association of Canada, a national advocacy group comprised of Aboriginal Lawyers. As a Cree lawyer from the Kawacatoose First Nation, Treaty Four, Saskatchewan, Mr. Worme is one of the leading advocates in the province for criminal law and treaty litigation and has been a vocal member of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal since 2001.
Mr. Worme has been involved in developing and reviewing public policies under the scope of Aboriginal and treaty rights. He was engaged in the studies and analysis for the National Indian Tax Advisory Board and has provided both research and commentary for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
Mr. Worme served as Commission Counsel during the Ipperwash Judicial Inquiry. He also acted as lead counsel to the family of Neil Stonechild in the Judicial Inquiry into the Saskatoon Police Service’s involvement with the teen’s freezing death in Saskatchewan.
Mr. Worme graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1985. He received his Queen’s Counsel appointment in 2002 and his Indigenous People’s Counsel designation in 2006.
LIFETIME
William Commanda, OC
Algonquin, Maniwaki, QC
Elder, Shaman, prophesy holder, historian, environmentalist and master canoe maker William Commanda, a 96-year-old Algonquin is highly regarded in the Aboriginal community and around the world as a revered Elder who works tirelessly towards environmental stewardship, racial harmony and cultural understanding. Passionately interested in history, he has secured and annotated a rare collection of material documenting Indigenous issues, while he is equally interested in global events.
Elder Commanda is honoured for a number of outstanding achievements, described in his book Learning from a Kindergarten Dropout; He is acknowledged as a master canoe builder, having built over 75 birch bark canoes including one for Queen Margrethe of Denmark. He holds an honorary doctorate degree and has been appointed Officer of the Order of Canada.
Some might describe Grandfather Commanda as North America’s very own Dalai Lama. Many now believe that William Commanda holds a meaningful vision of good like for all, particular during times of global unrest. He actively promotes sustainable relationships, a concept that celebrates biodiversity and life in all forms. He works hard to advance his vision for an Indigenous healing and peace building centre on Victoria Island, the ancient meeting place of his ancestors in the national capital region.
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Kenneth Atsenhaienton Deer
Mohawk, Kahnawake, QC
For the last 20 years, Kenneth Atsenhaienton Deer has worked as a political activist and newspaper publisher and editor of the weekly newspaper The Eastern Door. Giving the community a balanced platform of information they could depend on. Kenneth was on the Board of Directors for the Quebec Community Newspapers Association. Using his own community based located in Kahnawake, he has engaged and educated business people and international communities on Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights.
Mr. Deer’s involvement in the Indigenous people’s international movement led him to the United Nations in Geneva. In December of 2000, he served as the Chairman/Rapporteur of the UN Workshop on Indigenous Media in New York. Mr. Deer was one of the first Indigenous people to ever hold this role in the UN. He was an active participant at the meetings of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations since 1987; and the UN Working Group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples since 1995.
Having spent over 16 years in the educational sector, he has been a school counsellor, high school principal as well as co-chair of the National Indian Education Council in Canada.
POLITICS
Hon. Eric William Robinson
Cross Lake Cree Nation, MB
Recently appointed Deputy Premier and Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs for the Province of Manitoba, The Honourable Eric Robinson, a member of the Manitoba legislature since 1993 has transformed a life of communications skills into a powerful voice for his people and all Manitobans.
Having overcome a challenging early life and the trauma of residential schools, Mr. Robinson has worked towards ensuring that Aboriginal issues are addressed, embraced and championed, including issues such as missing and murdered women in Manitoba. Robinson co-authored the book Infested Blankets: Canada’s Constitution – Genocide of Indian Nations.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Edith Cloutier
Anishnabe First Nation, Val-d’Or, QC
Executive Director of the Val-d’Or Native Friendship Center for 20 years, President of the Regroupement des Centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) and the first Aboriginal Chair of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)’s Board of Directors, Édith Cloutier distinguishes herself with her human and innovative approaches to social justice and social inclusion.
Edith Cloutier received the Female Personality of the Year Filon Award from the Val-d’Or Chamber of Commerce in 2004; was made Knight of the National Order of Quebec, in 2006, by the National Assembly of Quebec; and gained the title of Women of Action and Knowledge by Femmes Autochtones du Québec.
SPECIAL YOUTH
Skawenniio Barnes
Mohawk, Kahnawake, QC
Growing up in Canada’s Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, Ms. Barnes at the age of 13 recognized a lack of educational resources available in her small community - specifically a library. In response, she launched a media campaign that resulted in the soliciting of 30,000 books from across Canada, the United States and Australia. A now fully established library bears her name in her home community. This initiative drew national attention and she was awarded the title of Cosmo Girl of the year in 2002.
Upon high school graduation, Ms. Barnes was awarded the Governor General’s Medal for highest academic average in the graduating class of 2005. Her academic success resulted in acceptance with full scholarships from Yale, Princeton, Harvard and Dartmouth. In her final year at Yale for Political Science and International Studies, Ms. Barnes has continued her incredible involvement in the community. She is currently responsible for developing alumni relations (Alumni Outreach) and serves on the Advisory Board at the Native America Cultural Center at Yale, and has travelled as a delegate of Yale to China meeting political leaders and students. In addition Skawenniio Barnes in an active member of the Board of Directors of the National Indian Education Association, which is the largest and oldest Indian education association in the United States.
Recently Ms. Barnes has been named one of 80 Amazing Canadian Women to Watch in Chatelaine Magazine, as well she received the John C. Shroeder Award from the Council of Masters.
SPORTS
Monica Pinette
Métis Nation, BC
Known as the only Aboriginal athlete at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic games, Ms. Pinette helped raise the profile of the pentathlon in Canada. A pentathlete must excel in five disciplines which include pistol shooting, epee fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping and a 3 km cross-country run. Ms. Pinette was also the first Canadian female to ever qualify for the Olympics in the pentathlon.
In order to show people how Ms. Pinette prepares herself as an elite Olympic athlete, she agreed to do a documentary called The Journey - her journey to the Beijing Olympics. It motivated her to devote more time mentoring young women in the sport and helping coach the Canadian Juniors to the World Championships in Taiwan.
TECHNOLOGY & TRADES
Doug Henry
Ojibway, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, ON
Doug Henry is the owner and president of Native American Technical Services Company (NATSCO Ltd.) and NASTCO Mechanical Contractors Inc.
20 years ago, Mr. Henry dreamt of including his community in the thriving industries of the Chemical Valley. His Sarnia-based mechanical contracting companies, located in Aamjiwnaag First Nation Chippewa Industrial Park, strives to provide the community with an opportunity to participate in the mainstream economy.
These companies also offer employment opportunities for Aamjiwnaag and surrounding area First Nations community members, provide further development of their land, encourage self-sufficiency of the band, and foster environmental partnership and joint ventures. Now, as an industry leader, Mr. Henry ensures that Aboriginal values are reflected throughout his workplace. Mr. Henry is also committed to the safety and welfare of his workers and as a result has won many industry awards for his safety measures and training.
Mr. Henry has a BASc in Technology Management from Bemidji State University in Minnesota and a Mechanical Engineering Technology Certificate from Lambton College in Sarnia. He specialized in the field of Piping Engineering, particularly Pipe Stress Analysis and Industrial Plant layout and design.