Turtle awards return with strong showing

After taking a year off in 2013, the organizers of the 5thAnnual Turtle Awards came back fully excited to recognize Aboriginal achievement in Central Alberta.

“It’s really important to me to acknowledge the support of the community. It really is a celebration of Aboriginal people by the community, and this year was all about looking forward,” said Tanya Schur, executive director of the Red Deer Native Friendship Society.

Eighteen awards in various categories were handed out at the end of June, 11 of which were sponsored by outside sources. The Native Friendship Society sponsored awards for youth, Moosom, education, and service provider.

The youth nominations were received from various schools in an area spanning up to the Leduc County and down to the edge of Airdrie, including the First Nations of Maskwacis, O’Chiese, and Sunchild. The youth award recognizes not only academic achievement but substantial leadership attributes and cultural promotion.

“As we continue to encourage our kids to stay in school and do their best, these are not necessarily academic awards. They are awards that recognize the good hard work that our youngsters do. Some of the criteria we look for are those who are good ambassadors of their culture and their community within their schools,” said Schur.

Chelsey Southcomb was one of four youth award winners for the 12-24 year old category, recognized for her role as a mentor and a powwow dancer with the Red Deer Aboriginal dance troup, something that she has done for a number of years.

Métis Elder Berry Nielson took home this year’s Moosom award for his continuous efforts and overall involvement in the lives of his own children and in supporting the Métis Local in Red Deer.

Berv Martin was the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which traditionally has recognized those who have spent their lives promoting Aboriginal culture and working within Central Alberta. Martin has also been with the Red Deer Friendship Society movement since the beginning.

“Berv said so herself, that it really is an honour to have your community recognize the work you’ve done in your lifetime because the work is really hard but it’s also really important,” said Schur.

To coincide with the event, a silent auction was held with the proceeds going toward the friendship society’s programming and also to the newly planned ASOOAHUM Centre, which is now gearing up to break ground. This new friendship centre will also serve as a housing development.

According to a Cree Elder who named the new infrastructure, the Cree naming of ASOOAHUM is “crossing” and Schur sees it as a new Aboriginal neighbourhood that will help people cross over to a good life and the opportunity to experience the culture.