Awards allow Aboriginal women to recognize each other

Nakita Kohan was two years old when her mother rescued her from the clutches of a neighbour who also happened to be a three-time sex offender. That horrific near-tragedy propelled Carrie Kohan into a new world of advocacy. Why, she asked, was a pedophile able to live in a family community?

In the 14 years that have passed since then, the young mother of two has worked in the halls of justice and parliament, making changes where she sees the need.
“I am a national child advocate and I volunteer. I’ve never been paid for it,” she said. Carrie and her team played an important role in bringing in the sex offender registry, raising the age of consent from 14 to 16, working to set up Canada’s Amber Alert, and amending 12 different laws.

Above all, says Carrie, her favourite success is Lisa’s Law, which amended Canada’s divorce act so that the children of convicted sex offenders would not be forced to visit their parent in prison. “We created so much pressure, they had to reverse the decision. It was huge, to see those little girls not have to go into prison.”

All of Carrie’s advocacy work was done despite a learning disability that makes it impossible for her to read. Her research assistants were vital parts of the team, she says.

Meanwhile, daughter Nakita was growing up. Now 16, she is the oldest of Carrie’s two girls, a talented singer and winner of the Miss Teen Canada pageant in 2011. “I have such admiration for this young lady and the strength she has shown,” said Carrie.

The mother and daughter are clearly a mutual admiration society. Nakita nominated Carrie for recognition from the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. In June, Carrie received the Dorothy Daniels Justice Award at the 17th annual Esquao Awards gala in Edmonton.

IAAW has been celebrating the successes of Indigenous women since it was founded by Muriel Stanley Venne in 1995. The non-profit organization has chapters in 14 communities in Alberta where it advocates for and trains Aboriginal women. In 1996, the IAAW created the Esquao Awards program and since then has recognized the work of 340 First Nations and Métis women from more than 75 communities across the province.

“I realized that our women were being nominated for other awards, but they weren’t being honoured,” said Stanley Venne. “My thought was that if we don’t first honour our own women, then why should we expect other people to do that. So the Esquao Awards were created to give our women the opportunity to be honoured by their community.”

“Esquao” is a stylized version of the Cree word for “woman,” and the theme for the awards is Angels Among Us, said Stanley Venne. “The awards are based on love for the women. There is not an Aboriginal woman in this province who cannot be nominated, and if her community nominates her, then she will be honoured.”

In many cases, especially in the Lifetime Achievement category, this will be the only honour they receive in their lifetime, she said. “It shines a light on the significant accomplishments of Aboriginal woman and builds on their strength and perseverance.”

Circle of Honour Dorothy MacDonald Leadership Award was given this year to Mayor Melissa Blake of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Asani performed an honour song while the Elders wrapped Blake in a blanket in a colourful ritual that was steeped in cultural tradition. “It’s a very beautiful ceremony,” said Stanley Venne.

Blake has long been actively involved in her community of Fort McMurray and the 10 rural hamlets that make up Wood Buffalo. After serving two terms on council, she was elected mayor in 2004 and again in 2010.
Throughout her career in the corporate sector and the political arena, Blake has received many honours and awards, yet she counts the Circle of Honour award as “thrilling and wonderful.”

“To see the Elders gathering, to feel the profound power of the presence of the women who were inducting me, was overwhelming,” Blake recalled.

“It was a positive and moving experience, and whether you’re just watching or performing, there is a kinship that comes from being at the event. There is a commitment to continue the advancement for Aboriginal women.”

The awards gala this year saw 17 women honoured.