Belcourt to receive Aboriginal achievement award

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Only one person from Ontario has made the list of outstanding people from across the country who will receive National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in 2006.

Tony Belcourt, president of the Metis Nation of Ontario, will receive the award for public service in recognition of the many years he has dedicated to fighting for Metis rights and working to promote and preserve Metis culture.

Belcourt has been involved in Metis politics since 1969 when he was elected vice-president of the Metis Association of Alberta. In 1971, he was one of the founders of the Native Council of Canada, now the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and served as the organization's first president. He was one of the key players involved in the creation of the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) in 1993 and has held the position of MNO president for four consecutive terms. He is president of the Metis Nation of Ontario Economic Development Corporation and chairs the MNO Cultural Commission.

Belcourt is a member of the Metis National Council's board of governors and serves as the council's minister for International Affairs.

Other 2006 award recipients include Aboriginal leader and activist Jim Sinclair, from Saskatchewan, who has spent the last 40 years fighting for Indigenous rights and who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lawyer James (Sakej) Youngblood Henderson, also from Saskatchewan, will be recognized for his contributions in the area of law and justice.

Nova Scotia's Andrea Dykstra will accept the award in the youth category. Scholar and author Taiaiake (Gerald) Alfred from B.C. was chosen to receive an award in the education category.

Dr. Herb Belcourt from Alberta, the founder of CaNative Housing Corporation, will receive an award in the housing category. The business and commerce award will go to Bernd Christmas, CEO of Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia. Elder Gladys Taylor Cook of Manitoba will be recognized in the heritage and spirituality category.

The environment award will go to Elder Billy Day of the Northwest Territories in recognition of his work to protect Inuvaluit culture, rights and natural environment. The community development award will be presented to Wendy Grant-John of B.C. for efforts to bring economic and social development opportunities to her home community.

Olympic skier Shirley Firth Larsson, from the Northwest Territories, will receive a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the sports category. Artist Jane Ash Poitras of Alberta will be recognized for her contributions in the area of arts and culture.

Two awards will be presented in the media and communications category, one to broadcaster turned communications consultant George Tuccaro of Alberta and one to Quebec broadcaster Myra Cree who passed away in October, the first time an achievement award has been awarded

The Matawa First Nations Management Health and Social Special Projects department is looking for volunteers from across northwestern Ontario to become members of a regional crisis task force that would serve the Matawa First Nations communities of Aroland, Constance Lake, Eabametoong, Hornepayne, Marten Falls, Neskantaga, Nibinimik and Webequie.

Eighteen volunteers are needed for the task force, which will provide essential support services to families through home visits, intervention, mentoring, spending time with children and working on community social projects. The task force members will be divided into two teams, with nine people to a team. The teams will be sent out to communities whenever a crisis arises and will remain in the community for up to five days.

No previous experience is required, as training will be provided to all volunteers. All travel and related expenses will be covered by the First Nation Inuit Health Branch.

For more information contact Luke Sagutch by phone at (807) 344-4575 or by e-mail at lsagutch@matawa.on.ca.