Women dedicated to community

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The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) celebrated the achievements of 31 women at a gala dinner in Edmonton on May 24.

Angels Among Us was this year's theme for the Esquao Awards, presented to the women in recognition of their contributions of love, energy, caring and commitment to their communities.

"We have stylized the Cree word for woman -'Esquao' -and reclaimed this beautiful word to describe ourselves," said IAAW president and founder Muriel Stanley-Venne.

"In the end, it's our beliefs that guide us...all recipients have overcome obstacles and are role models...they are the angels among us."

A special Circle of Honor award was presented to the provincial Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Pearl Calahasen for her enthusiastic support of Aboriginal women of Alberta in the past seven years. This award was created in 2000 when patron of IAAW Colleen Klein welcomed the Esquao Award recipients into the circle of honour.

"As an Aboriginal woman, this is one of the most meaningful times for me, to be honored in this way by my own people," Calahasen said.

"I'm proud to be included in the company of such distinguished Aboriginal women...women who share a common vision and a common goal to work towards building a stronger community.

"It's women...who give us reason to feel optimistic about the future of our community. As Aboriginal women, we are lawyers, business people, teachers, university professors, social workers, leaders and, equally important, we are strong advocates for our people in our community."

Actress Tantoo Cardinal hosted the evening, and also received a special presentation.

"We are delighted," said Stanley-Venne, "to recognize her outstanding talent and her caring for us as Aboriginal women."

Since 1996, the institute has presented 108 Esquao awards to Aboriginal women across Alberta.

The largest category for the Esquao Awards with 22 nominees was community involvement. Other categories this year included arts and entertainment, business, mentor/lifetime achievement, and health, medicine and culture.

Each recipient's contributions to the community were profiled during the evening. The nominees and their families were entertained by a variety of performers including singer Robin Marian, stand-up comedian Julie Bull, and puppeteer Derrick Starlight.

Esquao Awards 2002

Arts and Entertainment

-Caroline Von Grad of Edmonton

Business

-Theresa Campion of Edmonton

Community Involvement

-Victoria Arcand of Alexander First Nation

-Joyce Metchewais of Cold Lake First Nation -Donna Cyprien of Fort Chipweyan

-Heather Poitras of Edmonton

-Rose Lameman of Edmonton

-Lynn Gauthier of Bonnyville

-Donna DeCoteau of Edmonton

-Margaret Styles of Athabasca

-Jenny Laderoute of Gift Lake

-Lorraine Burroughs of Deadwood

- Freda Lynn Prince of Edmonton

-Cora Fedyk of Red Deer

-Doreen Wabasca of Edmonton

-Noreen McAteer of Fort Vermilion

-Eva Stang of Edmonton

-Cheryl Sheldon of Kinuso

-Louise M. Loyie of Fort McMurray

-Barbara Laderoute of Gift Lake

-Elaine Ward of Fishing Lake

-Krista Hunter of Morley

-Joely Big Eagle of Calgary

-Elsie Winnipeg of Drumheller

Mentor/Lifetime Achievement

-Audrey Poitras of Edmonton

-Shirley Hunter of Goodfish Lake

-Jackie Sander of Grouard

Health, Medicine and Culture

-Margaret Whiteknife of Fort Chipewyan

-Clara Wilson of Fort McKay