Esquao Awards recognizes the strength of Aboriginal women

For one night only, once a year, the city of Edmonton takes the liberty of playing host to a prestigious gala that recognizes wonderful Aboriginal woman of Alberta.

The 15th Annual Esquao Awards, an initiative of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Woman, took place on May 1 at the Shaw Conference Centre.

This ceremony once again celebrated with over a thousand Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal dignitaries and leadership, as well as corporate representatives across Canada, to come together and honour unique accomplishments of women.  

President and founder of the awards, Muriel Stanley Venne, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the recipients as a vital part of the communities in which they belong.

“We honour the strength and beauty in our community. Of course without women there would be no community. It is astounding how many women in this province have done well. It is important to show the public that our woman are exceptional,” said Venne.

Among the various categories that the women are placed in, one that stands out on a national level, is the Circle of Honour award that is open to those living outside of Alberta.  This year the circle welcomed Beverly Jacobs, who is Mohawk from the Six Nations region and former president of the Native Woman’s Association of Canada where she worked to advance issues of importance to Aboriginal women.

Jacobs expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was a total honour to be acknowledged by the Elders. I think it was one of the most amazing experiences …it’s always an honour, a very humbling experience to be honoured for the work because I put up my whole life into the work that I do.”

The categories range from community involvement to services done in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The process for the awards relies solely on the community and more likely on the family who nominate the women.

“We of course organize it. We do not judge, we have no jury to assess the applications…if the community wants to recognize the woman, who are we to say no?” said Venne.

 According to Venne, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a father present his daughter or granddaughter with an Esquao award.

Jacob believes in having the support of men encourages women. “It was nice to see a lot of the men there to support, and my partner was there. He supported everything that I’ve done and we need that all the time.”

Venne believes the future of the Esquao Awards will gain broader national attention through the media and the chance to travel and be accommodated by various cities across the country.

This is also echoed by Jacobs. She added that “grassroots” Aboriginal women who are in the trenches of the community making the changes need to be respected.