Esquao Awards honour excellence of Aboriginal women

Commitment and family, say two of this year’s 15 Esquao Awards recipients, are important values that young women, who want to make a difference in their communities, need to grasp.

For young women, who are hoping to make their mark in the world, commitment is the most important factor for success, says Louise Omeasoo.

“Show up when you’re expected to show up, no matter what it takes,” she said. “Show your loyalty to help obtain your goals.”

Omeasoo, from Samson Cree Nation, was nominated for an Esquao Award in the category of education by a student for going above and beyond the call of duty helping students achieve their goals.

Omeasoo runs a number of different student support programs for the Samson Education Trust Fund with the Nipisihkopahk Education Authority.

From award dinners that recognize the scholastic achievements of Samson students to raising funds for lap tops that are presented to Samson grads heading off to post-secondary school careers, Omeasoo wants to see all her students reach their highest potential. So much so that she often car pools with students who might not otherwise be able to get to school.

While Omeasoo stresses commitment, Annie Stanley says family is key.

“I always say, as a grandmother or a parent, we cannot replace ourselves as caregivers. …Keeping families together, that’s the most important part of life,” said Stanley.

Stanley, from Frog Lake First Nation, has worked for the Tribal Chief Child and Family Services East Society for the last decade, advocating for children in care to remain in the community, and working to keep them connected to their culture and their language.

“I know what the kids go through when they go into care. The way I look at child welfare, it’s similar to residential schools. It’s the child that’s hurt,” Stanley said, adding that in the past government agencies deliberately removed children from the Aboriginal community of their birth. “Today we try to place children with family… I work to keep kids in the community.”

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Esquao Awards, hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. Esquao is the stylized version of the Cree word for woman and the theme this year is “Angels Among Us.”

“This award was established … to counter negative stereotypes of Aboriginal women and celebrate their strength. We want to showcase these women who are doing every day tasks that inspire and empower other people,” said Geraldine Carriere, spokesperson for IAAW.

Over the last two decades over 400 women from 84 communities in Alberta have been recognized, from Elders to youths, in 13 categories ranging from performing arts to social services and advocacy. Recipients are nominated by people in their community and at least three letters of support are required to clinch the nomination.

“It’s very important to give these women the opportunity to be recognized,” Carriere said. “And to show the rest of the community that we are here, doing good things in our community, giving back and making positive impacts on our people.”

The Esquao Awards will be held at the Conference Centre in Edmonton on May 27. The awards will also focus on the work of Aboriginal women writers this year.

“These women are taking on the role of telling our story from an authentic place,” Carriere said.