Top women honored

Page 6

Eva Bereti sits on 20 boards of charitable organizations. She is a survivor of cancer and travels across Canada to talk about her experiences. This is what she does in her spare time. Bereti's day job is a liaison worker between the Catholic School system and native families.

Bereti is very similar to four other women who were honored at the second annual Esquao Awards held on June 20 in Edmonton.

The Esquao Awards are not like other award shows. There's no categories. There's no bright lights. There's no extravagant musical numbers. There are only five Aboriginal women who have done extraordinary things against insurmountable odds.

Delia Gray was selected because she has been instrumental in founding Canadian Native Friendship Centers. Gray is also one of the founders of the All-Native Festival. She is a master of the Cree language and volunteers with the Canadian Legion.

Fort McMurray's Evelyn Webb "has dedicated her life to help Native people help themselves," said Jane Woodward, vice-president of the Institute of the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. Webb has worked for Native Counselling Services for the past two decades.

Theresa Whiskeyjack was selected for her work with friendship centres. Centres from Bonnyville to Edmonton and as far off as Toronto have been the recipients of Whiskeyjack's hard work.

Florence Parenteau was also recognized for her work. She was the owner of the first private store at Fishing Lake. She is a settlement Elder, a tireless community volunteer, an addictions counsellor, and a lay minister.

She is a grandmother to 26 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She has been called "a role model in the art of good living."

Colleen Klein, wife of Alberta premier Ralph Klein, gave the keynote address.

"There is nothing more rewarding than being elected by your peers because they do notice and they do care about your accomplishments," Klein said. "Every once in a while, unsung heroes need to be recognized. Tonight is your night. Tonight you are the famous five."