Saskatchewan Elder awarded Order of Canada

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Well-known and highly respected Elder Wilna "Willy" Hodgson was notified recently that she has received an appointment to the Order of Canada. The Saskatchewan woman is one of 65 Canadians to be recognized as a member of the Order of Canada for her volunteer work and for a long career dedicated to the advancement of the Aboriginal peoples of Saskatchewan.

Speaking from her home in Moose Jaw, Hodgson admits she was surprised and overwhelmed. "I couldn't believe it. I enjoyed the work I was doing. This was not expected," she said. Hodgson will travel to Vancouver, accompanied by family members, on Aug. 31 to receive her award.

Hodgson has achieved many goals in her 35-year career. One of the first Aboriginal women to graduate from the Manitoba School of Nursing in Portage La Prairie, she was also one of the first Aboriginal registered psychiatric nurses in Canada. She pursued educational goals after her nursing career, and her interests in psychology, social work and human justice (University of Regina) culminated in a practicum at Legal Aid Services in Moose Jaw in 1968 that signalled the beginning of a career-long association with the law. Active with the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission in the 70s and 80s, more recently she served as Aboriginal Lay Bencher with the Saskatchewan Law Society. It is an organization she will always hold dear because of the stimulation it provided and because of the important work before it.

"The Saskatchewan Law Society works hard to try to make the legal system more just for our people," she said.

Born on the Sandy Lake Reserve-or Ahtahkakoop, Cree for starblanket-in 1935, Hodgson is fluent in Cree and English. During her nurse's training she met and married Bill Hodgson and then worked as a nurse in the four western provinces as they were transferred frequently with the airforce.

Throughout her career, her concern was always the welfare of other people. "I love people -friends, family and colleagues," said Hodgson. "I've enjoyed all the people I've worked with and I've always learned from them as well." Much of that work included contact with disabled people whom she remembers fondly and warmly.

Hodgson's years as social worker, rehabilitation counsellor and therapist were very fulfilling for her. "I was able to speak up for people in the court system on many occasions, and could be especially sensitive to the different cultures and values," she said.

She has seen many changes during her career. "When I was getting my education there were no scholarships or aid for Aboriginal people. I had to do it all on my own. Thankfully, today, there are many sources from which people can get financial support while they get their education," she said. She sees today's generation as less dependant on welfare and other forms of assistance and marvels at all the First Nation and Metis students in colleges and universities throughout North America.

The Hodgsons have four grown, married offspring. "My husband Bill and I have two daughters and two sons who I'm very proud of. And my children are also my friends," she added. The enjoyable role of grandmother of two is soon to be increased, she said, as a third grandchild is due in November.

Hodgson's sons Bill and Dean are railway engineers in Moose Jaw where her daughter Fern runs a group home. Her daughter, Heather, teaches at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in Regina, and works as an editor for the Canadian Plains Research Centre and Coteau Books.

"Our mother has been handsomely recognized for a lifetime's contribution to the betterment of her people. Her work in culture, language, employment and law resulted in a long association with many organisations respecting mental health, legal services, housing, Native women, friendship centres, the list is endless," said Heather.

Hodgson has also been a cross-cultural bridge-builder. She has conducted workshops for government and private sector organizations, and she has served on ational councils for Native ministry and social justice for the Anglican Church of Canada. Last year she was appointed as the first Elder for the Canadian Plains Research Centre at the University of Regina, where she was able to provide researchers with advice and guidance about cultural matters for Aboriginal people. In her spare time Hodgson writes reviews about books on First Nation topics.

"My mother was also recognised long ago as a First Nation spiritual leader by Michael Peers, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada," added Heather. "And it is that same spirit-of giving to others and of building bridges between cultures-that has won her so many awards and distinctions. We are extremely proud of her." Hodgson's awards are indeed too numerous to list but include, notably, a Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and the appointments of Citizen of the Year and Woman of Distinction by her "earthly home," the City of Moose Jaw. "Ahtahkakoop," she says, "will always be my spiritual home. It is where my ancestors are buried."

As an Elder, Hodgson has some advice for young people today.

"First you have to try to learn about yourself. You should be proud of your culture, and recognize it as unique. But don't focus on your differences, only learn about them and understand them," she said. Within First Nations culture are very deep values, such as that of respecting Elders, the animals, and the plants of Mother Earth." Hodgson sees the role of Elders as encouraging children and their parents to get an education, and to heal from the cycle of addictions that have afflicted entire generations of her people since colonisation. "Addictions have decimated us," she lamented. In her role as Elder, Hodgson has helped many personally overcome the effects of the residential school experience too.

"I have facilitated workshops across Canada for five years through my involvement with a national coalition of government, churches, and Aboriginal organizations who are all working togeher to help heal our people." Hodgson, although retired, in fact continues to help address the many issues that have resulted from the disruption to Aboriginal culture, even in an advisory role over the telephone at her home.

Hodgson shares the philosophy that she grew up with and was taught by her parents. "If you want to forge a path for yourself, and not wander, you have to know where you've been. If you don't know where you come from, you don't know where you can go."