Achievement foundation announces award winners

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Two British Columbians are among the 14 recipients of this year's National Aboriginal Achievement Award.

Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band received an award in the Community Development category and artist Susan Point was awarded the Arts and Culture prize.

Louis has been chief of his nation since 1985. He has consistently prioritized economic development to raise the standard of living of his people and take care of the band's health, educational and social needs.

Thanks in large measure to Louis' leadership, the band has become a virtual corporate entity that has started up eight profitable business ventures, resuting in almost no unemployment and a decreasing reliance on social assistance by members.

Osoyoos owns a golf course, construction and forestry companies, convenience store, a residential and agricultural leasing company, a large resort campground and RV Park with marina, a 120-room hotel and gas bar, and it has become very well known nationally in recent years for its vineyard.

Profits from the businesses help support the community's medication fund, adult in-home care program, patient travel fund, education fund and their recreation complex.

Hand-in-hand with his razor-sharp business acumen, Louis has fostered his concern and his community's concern for the environment. The band maintains 890 acres entirely for water, fish and wildlife protection.

Louis takes an active role on many boards and has received numerous citations for his entrepreneurial and community spirit.

Point, who lives in Vancouver, is a self-taught artist who began to create large public works in various media in 1990. Her public pieces-made of stained glass steel, glass, bronze, concrete, wood, terra cotta and forton castings--brought her almost instant recognition by those who appreciate fine art.

The scale and merit of Point's works have led to collaborative efforts with various developers, architects and theatre people. Point's unique pieces have raised the bar for Coast Salish art worldwide.

This artist has explored almost every kind of style and media, producing works in precious metals, serigraphs, wood block prints and acrylic paints, in traditional to contemporary mode.

Her pieces are on view in the Vancouver International Airport, as well as in numerous public and private buildings.

Point is also the recipient of an honourary doctorate in fine arts from the University of Victoria and of a YMCA Woman of Distinction Award for arts and culture.

Louis and Point will receive their awards at a gala evening to be held in Calgary at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on April 4. The awards show will subsequently appear on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

This is the eleventh year for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards program, which is run by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation founded in 1985 by Kahnawake Mohawk John Kim Bell, a symphony conductor.

The non-profit foundation was set up to provide scholarships to Aboriginal youth and establish career fairs. So far, $16 million in scholarships has been granted to students.