Women recognized in special awards

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations hosted its first Strength of Our Women awards in Saskatoon on Sept. 10, honouring 12 women in categories that include arts and entertainment, business, culture and spirituality, education, environment, health/wellness, law/justice, leadership/advocacy, lifetime achievement, matriarch, sports, and youth. More than 50 women were nominated. The awards were a way to showcase the contributions Indigenous women make to their communities while continuing to foster a sense of pride within themselves. “Our First Nations leadership has been looking for ways to celebrate our women,” said FSIN interim Chief Kimberly Jonathan. “We are always thinking of ways to uphold our women and I think this is one of the best ways to bring people together and organizations together and to lift the women up.” The funds raised from the awards gala are to be used for initiatives that support the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and other related Saskatchewan First Nations Women Council strategies.