First Nations Award winners named

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The achievements and contributions of 14 individuals and organizations were recognized on Oct. 26, during the eighth annual First Nations Awards Ceremony at the Regina Centre of the Arts.

The awards, designed to build self-esteem among Saskatchewan's First Nations youth, and to provide them with role models to look up to, is co-ordinated each year by Women of the Dawn, an organization that works to help Aboriginal people to find meaningful employment.

This year's winner in the Science and Technology category was Ron W. Beatty from Montreal Lake Cree Nation. Beatty was the first member of a Saskatchewan First Nation to complete the Land Use and Environmental Studies bachelor of science program at the University of Saskatchewan. Beatty has done extensive work in the environmental field, including holding the natural resources portfolio with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), and environmental technician for Cameco.

O'Neil Gladue from Flying Dust First Nation won this year's award in the business category. As vice chief of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council for the past 17 years, Gladue has been involved in getting a number of economic development initiatives up and running, including Ceres/MLTC Fertilizers Inc. and NorSask Forestry Products.

Helen Ben from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation won the First Nations Award in the Education category. Ben has her bachelor of education from the U of S, and is working towards her master's degree. She has taught school at White Cap and Joseph Bighead First Nations, and has been principal of the Makwa Sahgaiehcan school for the past three years. She started up the local cadet corps, and is active on a number of committees.

Bonnie Missens from Pasqua First Nation received the Justice award. Missens, a partner with the law firm of Semaganis, Worme and Missens, is also a seasonal lecturer at the University of Regina (U of R) and was a staff member of the department of Justice's self-defense review.

Jamie Lerat from Cowessess First Nation won this year's Journalism award. Lerat has a background in broadcasting, having worked on air at a number of radio stations. She is currently the community relations co-ordinator in corporate relations for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and is pursuing her degree in business administration, majoring in marketing.

The Lac La Ronge Indian band's Kitsaki Meats, which markets beef jerkey and wild rice to international markets, took the award for Export Achievement.

George Benson from Red Pheasant First Nation won the Veteran award. He served with the Allied Forces from 1952 to 1957, served 16 months in the Korean Conflict, and 16 months with the NATO forces in Germany. Benson is on the executive of the Northern Saskatchewan Indian Veterans Association, and is also involved in the Red Pheasant Local Advisory Committee, the Saskatchewan Justice Anger Management program, and is on the advisory council for the North Battleford Tribal Council. He also co-ordinates the Kanaweyimik Annual Cultural Camp.

This year's award recipient in the Youth category is Janna Pratt from Gordons First Nation. Pratt, who is currently studying archeology at the University of Calgary (U of C), was a member of the Bold Eagle Militia training program. He has a level 1 coaching certificate, and a black belt in Judo.

In 1995, Jana Pratt became the first female athlete from Saskatchewan to win Gold in Judo, competing the Jeux Canada Games in Alberta. She has studied Japanese, and taught Judo while in high school. She is a member of the student association at the U of C, and gives motivational lectures to fellow students.

Sylvia Popowich from Keeseekoose First Nation won the award for Community Work and Involvement. Popowich, who spent 14 years working as a mental health worker, started up the Baskets of Hope Drop -In Centre and Baskets of Hope Food Bank in Yorkton, as well as a self-help women's group that caters various community functions. She alo started up a soup kitchen, and is also involved in the Keeseekoose Elder's Support program.

This year's award for Sports and Recreation went to Donald Carrier from Piapot First Nation. The Grade 12 student has been on both the junior and senior basketball teams in the 4A- division, and volunteers as a basketball referee, and at instructional camps.

Artist Clarence Kapay from Day Star First Nation was this year's winner in the Arts and Entertainment category. His cartoon, the Generix, has appeared in the Regina Sun and Saskatoon Star Phoenix, and has had his paintings sold by the Royal Canadian Museum. Kapay received the 1998 Tourism Saskatchewan Artist Acclaim Award of Excellence. The same year, he created the cover for the book Red Coats of the Prairies and the first prize in the Saskatchewan Wildlife Art Association Award.

The winner of this year's award in the Social Work category was Linda Pelly-Landrie of Cote First Nation. Pelly-Landrie received her bachelor and master of education degrees form the U of S, and is currently working toward her doctorate of education at the University of California. She has worked at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre for 24 years, the last 12 as president.

Darlene Standing Ready from White Bear First Nation took home the award in the Medicine and Health category. Standing Ready has spent the past 20 years working in the health and social services field. Currently the director of health for White Bear, she is attending evening classes, working toward a degree in nursing and management.

The 2002 Lifetime Achievement award went to Maryanne Sokwaypnace of Little Pine First Nation in recognition of her contributions to Aboriginal education. Sokwaypnace, who earned her bachelor of education degree from the U of S, has been involved in the development of a variety of culturally appropriate teaching materials.