Excellence recognized at annual FSIN awards gala

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The dedication and achievements of 34 First Nation individuals and groups from across the province were recognized in North Battleford on June 8 as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) hosted its annual Circle of Honour awards gala.

"We're here to honour the achievements of the community," said FSIN Chief Alphonse Bird. "There's so many people we wanted to honour."

This is the seventh year for Circle of Honour. Organizers of the first awards hadn't intended it to become a yearly event, but that's what it's become, thanks to the flood of support and enthusiasm from First Nation communities across the province.

The evening opened with a grand entry of First Nation veterans and the award recipients, followed by an opening prayer and opening remarks from Bird.

"Excellence deserves an award. We have to honour the people that brought us hope and a positive view on our communities," he said. "We should be honouring our people while they can still enjoy it."

Awards were handed out in eight different categories-Indian Government, Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Commission, Economic and Community Development, Justice, Saskatchewan First Nations Network on Disabilities, Sports and Youth Recreation and Education and Training.

Harry Cook received the Indian Government-Lifetime Achievement Award. Cook, who recently retired after serving 18 years as chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, was the longest serving chief in the Prince Albert District area. The award also recognized his efforts to help many First Nation and Metis communities with their business ventures, and his contributions to the success of Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership, the economic development arm of the band. Under Cook's watch, Kitsaki has grown unto one of the top 100 companies in Saskatchewan.

Fred Starblanket was honoured with the Citizen of the Year Award. He received the distinction because of the respect for leadership that he has continually demonstrated.

"I've learned from leadership to respect each and everyone of the leaders over the years," said Starblanket after receiving the award. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Since 1976, Starblanket has worked in several First Nations positions. He's served as Starblanket First Nation band manager, FSIN Treaty Land Entitlement co-ordinator and trustee and representative of the File Hills Health Board and New Dawn Valley Centre Board. In 1991, Starblanket was appointed speaker for the FSIN legislative assemblies.

The Indian Government-Posthumous Award was given to the late David Lachance, who was born on May 30, 1953 and who passed away on April 1, 2004.

Lachance was recognized for devoting his life to his community. The Big River First Nation member was a bus driver, councillor, sports coordinator, hunter, trapper and advocate for First Nation treaty rights.

As a band councillor, Lachance spearheaded a number of projects, including construction of schools, a church, roads and the administration building.

Cpl. Jim Pratt, of the Regina Police Service, and the Missinippi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) won the other two Indian Government awards. Cpl. Pratt, a member of Muscowpetung First Nation, was the recipient of the Humanity Award, while La Ronge-based MBC was handed the Media Award.

This year's recipients of education awards were Tyler Walker of Okanese First Nation, who received the Academic/Scholastic Achievement, Male Award, and Jessica Missens of Pasqua First Nation, who received the Academic/Scholastic Achievement, Female Award.

Joseph Lachance of Whitefish First Nation received the Teacher/Instructor/Para-professional Award, while Sarah Longman of Gordon First Nation received an award in the Support Staff/Administrator category. Danna Henderson of Pasqua First Nation was this year's recipient in the Post-Secondary category.

The members of the Team Saskatchewan boys and girls hockey teams were also among the award reciients at this year's Circle of Honour, receiving the Team Award in the Sports, Culture, Youth and Recreation category.

The 23 male and 22 female players who represented Saskatchewan on the ice during the 2005 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships held April 17 to 23 in Miramichi, N.B., returning home with bronze medals.

Also receiving awards in the Sports, Culture, Youth and Recreation category were Jaydon Campbell of English River First Nation, who received the Amateur Athlete Award, Trenton Campbell, also of English River, who received the Professional Athlete Award.

Chief Denton George of Ochapowace First Nation received the Coach Award, while the Founder/Builder Award went to Onion Lake First Nation's Brian MacDonald.

The Volunteer Award was presented to Lawrence McIntyre from English River First Nation, while Ashley Budd of Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation was named this year's Youth Role Model. Lorne Carrier of Piapot First Nation was honoured with an award for Art/Culture/Music.

In the Healing and Policy Initiative category, Chris Arcand of Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation and Yvette Sunchild of Thunderchild First Nation received awards for individual accomplishments and the Okanese Community Wellness Team won for Community achievement. An award for Youth/Adolescent Tobacco Control Initiative, handed out to Ernest Maurice of Birch Narrows First Nation, rounded out the category.

Awards were also handed out in the Sask First Nations Network on Disabilities/Health category, with Shayna Favel of Sweetgrass First Nation receiving the Child/Youth Leadership Award, Doreen Baptiste of Cowessess First Nation receiving the Adult Leadership Award and Annette Niultcho of Buffalo River First Nation receiving the award in the Elder category.

In the category of Economic Development, Henry Felix of Sturgeon Lake First Nation received the Housing Innovative Award, while the First Nation Business Person Award went to Eva Lizotte of Saskatoon, an Kahkewistahaw Gas and Convenience Store in Yorkton took home the First Nation Business Award.

Tanya Delorme of Mosquito/Grizzly Bear's Head First Nation won the Individual Award in the First Nations Justice category.

Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Commission Leadership Awards went to Amanda Thomas of Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation, who won in the Youth category, Ira Horse of Thunderchild First Nation, who won in the Women's category, and Edna Henderson, who received the award in the Honouring Our Mothers category.

During pauses between award categories, the stage was alive with entertainment, with performances by Teagan Littlechief, Cote Roulette, Alaine Raine, Tasheena Wolfe, Terri-Anne Strongarm, Stephanie Gunville, Dakota Caisse, Smokey Campbell, Steven Sawatzky, Falynn Baptiste and Mo Tourand.

The evening came to a close with Bird retaking the stage for some closing remarks and Chakastaypasin Elder Jake Sanderson saying a thank you prayer.