Gala pays tribute to this year's awards recipients

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Fourteen Aboriginal people who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in their chosen fields were recognized in Winnipeg on March 10 when the ninth annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards were handed out.

This year's ceremonies saw awards given in the categories of Arts and Culture, Business and Commerce, Energy, Media and Communications, Heritage and Spirituality, Community Development, Sports, Public Service, and Medicine. A Lifetime Achievement Award was also handed out, as well as a National Youth Award.

Awards in the Arts and Culture category this year went to two carvers-both who use their talents to continue the ways of their people, and both internationally recognized for their works-Ohito Ashoona, a carver from Cape Dorset, Nunavut and Haida artist Freda Diesing.

One of this year's Business and Commerce Award recipients was Harry Deneron, chief of the Acho Dene Koe band in Fort Liard, N.W.T., who was recognized in part for his work to have his community included as a partner in all energy developments on its lands. Another was Len G. Flett, vice-president of store development and public affairs with the North West Company, who has worked to turn the company into the largest private-sector employer of Aboriginal people in Canada, while also helping support the economic development initiatives of a number of Aboriginal businesses and organizations through developing partnerships and joint ventures.

Roy Fox, president and CEO of the Indian Resource Council of Canada received an award in the Energy category for his continued work to ensure First Nations across the country are benefiting from oil and gas developments through profit sharing, employment opportunities and gaining control of how their resources are managed.

Media and Communications Awards were handed out to Gail Guthrie Valaskakis, an internationally recognized authority on Northern and Aboriginal media and communications in Canada; and Inuit broadcaster Jonah Kelly, who has worked on-air for CBC North for more than 35 years, and contributed to the development of Inuktitut broadcasting in the North.

The Heritage and Spirituality Award was given to Mi'kmaq Elder Noel Knockwood for his work to revive and strengthen Native spirituality in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Metis leader George Kurszewski of the Northwest Territories received the Community Development Award for his work in having the land claims of both Dene and Metis people in the north recognized and resolved.

Receiving a Sports Award at this year's ceremonies was Michael Nepinak from Pine Creek First Nation, Man., who is considered one of Canada's greatest triple jumpers. In the Public Service category, Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake received an award for his efforts to bring improvements to his community in such areas as economic development, health care, education, culture and recreation.

Dr. Gilles Pinette was the recipient of an award in the Medicine category. In addition to practicing family medicine in Winnipeg, he writes the syndicated medical column The Medicine Bundle, hosts Medicine Chest on APTN, works as a lecturer and instructor at the University of Manitoba and works to provide support to Aboriginal medical students.

This year's National Youth Award was given to Jordin Tootoo, the 19-year-old hockey player from Rankin Inlet who last year became the first Inuk and first person from Nunavut to be drafted by the NHL.

Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award was artist Alex Janvier. The Dene artist from Le Goffe reserve in northern Alberta has been painting since the 1960s, producing works that meld traditional Native style with abstract modernism, and leading the way for a generation of contemporary Native artists.

In addition to witnessing the awards presentations, audience members were entertained by comedian Don Burnstick who hosted the gala. Also featured were performances by singer, dancer and actress Tamara Poemski, coloratura soprano Minda Forcier, baritone Carey Newman, country and western singer Lorrie Church, singer, songwriter and guitarist George Leach, musician Ben Schenstead, and hoop dancer Lisa Odjig.

With this year's achievement awards ceremonies now just a memory, plans have begun for next year's celebrations, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.

"We are planning an expanded version that will incorporate past recipients with a new crop for 2003, to mark the 10th anniversary," said Judy Tobe, director of public affairs for the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, which doles out the annual awards. "And we're bringing it back to Ottawa where we started."

The 10th annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards will take place at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on March 28, 2003.