National Aboriginal Awards coming to Vancouver

Vancouver – The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation will honor this year’s recipients of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in a special gala event on Feb. 24 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. The awards celebrate excellence in the Indigenous community and the limitless potential that Indigenous people represent.

The awards recognize the highest level of achievement and provide role models for Indigenous youth.

The 2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Award recipients are Candace Sutherland of Manitoba who receives the Youth Award, Earl Cook of Manitoba, whose Youth Award  will be bestowed posthumously, Adam Beach of Manitoba, awarded in the Arts category, and Chief Victor Buffalo of Alberta, the recipient in Business and Commerce.

Elder Dave Courchene Jr. of Manitoba receives his award in Culture, Heritage and Spirituality. Dr. Leona Makokis of Alberta wins in the Education category and Richard Hardy of British Columbia receives an award for contribution in Environment and Natural Resources.

Dr. Janet Smylie of Ontario receives an award in the Health category. Violet Ford of Newfoundland and Labrador wins in Law and Justice. Richard Wagamese of Ontario is the recipient in the Media and Communications category.

Leona Aglukkaq of Nunavut receives the award for Politics. Grand Chief Edward John of British Columbia wins also in the category of Politics. Minnie Grey of Quebec wins in the Public Service category.

Richard Peter of British Columbia wins in Sports and Senator Gerry St. Germain of Manitoba will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.