Circle of Honour Awards recognize Aboriginal talent

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On June 4, the most talented, accomplished and innovative Aboriginal individuals and groups in the province shared the spotlight at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation (FSIN) 2003 Saskatchewan First Nations Circle of Honour Awards ceremony. Hundreds of attendees packed the second floor of the Saskatoon Inn to witness the presentations, dine on the tantalizing gourmet meal, and enjoy the outstanding entertainment from some of the province's best Aboriginal performers.

"Tonight is a very special night. We never, ever take enough time to honour men and women who have done good things," FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde said. "[This] is about First Nations honouring First Nations people who have demonstrated tremendous achievements, discipline, vision and excellence. Tonight's recipients have truly achieved our respect and deserve this special recognition."

Award recipients were chosen in 31 categories spanning education, sport, health, justice, business, women, government and the environment.

Alma and Simon Kytwayhat of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation were given Citizen of the Year honours for their tireless efforts to spread cultural pride among Aboriginal youth, while Sol George Oakes of Nekaneet First Nation took the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of involvement in First Nations politics.

With a somber nod toward world events, the 11 Saskatchewan soldiers who took part in the Iraq war were given the First Nations Veterans Association Humanity Award.

Closing the evening, the life of the late political and cultural visionary Gordon Oakes of Nekaneet First Nation was honoured with the Posthumous Award.

The entertainment for the evening was as impressive as the winner's list. Among the singers who took to the stage were Krystle Pederson and Teigan Littlechief, and the list of musicians who came to entertain included Rodolfo Pino-Robles. Dancers and sketch comics were also on hand to keep the crowd captivated between presentations, and there was even a mini-fashion show from designer Tori-Lynn Wanotch to demonstrate the vast and varied scope of First Nations talent.

Four years of experience with the annual awards gala has obviously helped the event's organizers and stagers, as this was the most polished Circle of Honour awards ceremony yet. With the relaxed and witty Lyle Daniels handling Master of Ceremonies duties, and the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company taking care of the technical and backstage details, the 2003 gala moved along at a brisk and entertaining pace, despite the large number of presentations.

"This is the fifth year the FSIN has taken the time to organize an event to honour the people who pave the way for us in different areas. They are role models, and an inspiration for all of us in the First Nations community," said Bellegarde.

CIRCLE OF HONOUR AWARD RECIPIENTS

Education

Academic Achievement, male -Nathan Gamble, Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation.

Academic Achievement, female -Lisa Bouvier, Canoe Lake First Nation.

Teacher Support Staff- Moosomin school staff.

Support Staff, Administrator- Virginia Moberly, Buffalo River Dene First Nation.

Post-secondary Students-Cody Campbell, Buffalo River Dene First Nation.

Sports, Culture, Youth and Recreation

Team-Team Saskatchewan midget hockey team.

Amateur Athlete-Shaylynn Pewapisconias, Little Pine First Nation.

Professional Athlete-Tom Gardipy.

Coach-Roger Ballantyne, Lac La Ronge First Nation.

Founder/Builder-Melinda Whitecloud.

Volunteer-Joseph Arnold Stone, Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

Youth Role Model-Tie: Robert Daniels, One Arrow First Nation, Travis Gardipy, Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation.

Arts/Culture/Music-Lawrence Eyahpaise, Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation.

Health and Social Development

Healing and Policy Initiative, Individual-Rose Atimoyoo, Little Pine First Nation.

Healing and Policy Initiative, Community-Battleford Tribal Council Health Services.

Youth/Adolescent Tobacco Control-Chief Cameron Watson,Chacachas First Nation.

Justice

First Nations Justice Initiative, Individual-Melvina Eagle, Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

First Nations Justice Initiative, Community-Willow Cree Education Complex.

Economic Development

Housing Initiative-Onion Lake Housing Authority.

First Nations Business Person -Sandra Bighead, Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation.

Lands and Resources

Environmental Respect, Individual-Bill Marion, James Smith Cree Nation.

Environmental Respect, Community-John Head Memorial Education Centre, Red Earth First Nation.

Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Council.

Youth Leadership-Jenna Tanner, Cowessess First Nation.

Women's Leadership-Irene Tootoosis, Poundmaker First Nation.

Honouring Our Mothers-Bea Lavallee, Piapot First Nation.

Communications

Media-Dominga Robinson, Pheasant Rump First Nation.

Indian Government

Citizens of the Year -Alma and Simon Kytwayhat, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation.

Lifetime Achievement-Sol George Sanderson, Chakastaypasin First Nation.

Humanity Award-Alexis Dustyhorn, Kawacatoose First Nation; Tyrone Roper, Yellowquill First Nation; Amber McArthur, Pheasant Rump First Nation; Cory Heffernan, Muskoday First Nation; Bruce Munrow Jr., Muskoday First Nation; Carmen Bear, Muskoday First Nation; Darcy Bear, Muskoday First Nation; Rob Brown, Mistawasis First Nation; Lori Asiaican, Cowessess First Nation; and Ryan Redwood, Cowessess First Nation.

Posthumous Award-Gordon Oakes, Nekaneet First Nation.