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It's been eight years since the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women first began to recognize the achievements of Native women in the province. Since that first year, 183 women have received Esquao awards for their determination and effort in making their communities special places in which to live.
On May 8, more than 800 people gathered at the Northlands Agricom to honor this year's crop of Esquao award recipients. Alberta chiefs and community leaders, members of the police department and legislative assembly and mayors from surrounding communities were in attendance to honor 45 women of achievement in a variety of categories, including leadership, community involvement, social work, business, health and culture.
The evening included entertainment by ventriloquist Buddy Big Mountain, award recipient singer Laura Vinson, flutist Amanda Woodward, and Metis fiddler Blain Constant.
Muriel Stanley Venne, the president and founder of the institute, said she was thrilled with the number of nominations that were submitted by people who recognized the efforts of particular women in their communities.
"This event is meant to honor the women. My goal is to change society's attitudes towards Aboriginal women. I believe that despite what they go through every day, they are still beautiful and hard working and it is wonderful that so many communities are honoring their women.
"When we first began this event, we only had 100 people attend and only five women were honored. Back then we did not even know who was going to show up. Today I was so honored to see a lot of chiefs at this gathering honoring their women. I believe that we as women have to start somewhere and we need to give each other pats on the back," she said.
The Circle of Honor tribute this year went to Senator Thelma Chalifoux. A loud round of applause and a standing ovation greeted Chalifoux as she accepted a number of gifts for her personal and professional achievements as an Aboriginal woman.
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