$2 million event backdrop for 14 achievers

Page 13

More than 2,700 people jammed Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre in celebration of this year's 14 National Aboriginal Achievement Award winners, six of whom hail from British Columbia, the host province.

With a spectacular $1 million-set as a backdrop, Nuu-chah-nulth artist Tsa-qwa-supp (Art Thompson) received the award in the Arts and Culture category; Dr. Jo-ann Archibald of the Sowahlie First Nation was awarded for her work in the field of Education; Miles Richardson (Haida) received the Environment award; Judge Steven Point (Sto:lo) was recognized for his accomplishments in the Law and Justice field; Chief Simon Baker (Squamish) received the Heritage and Spirituality award; and Nisga'a leader Dr. Joe Gosnell (Sim-oogit HLEEK) was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lydia Ineak of Iqaluit, Nunavut, was given the award in the Media and Communications category; Edith Josie of Old Crow, Yukon was chosen for recognition in the Heritage and Spirituality category; Konrad Haskan Sioui of Sept Iles, Que. received the Public Service award; Chief Roy Albert Whitney of Tsuu T'ina, Alta. won in the Business and Commerce category, as did John Charles Bernard of Nepean, Ont. In the Community Development category, Paul J. Birckel won the award. The Health Services award went to Fjola Hart-Wasekeesikaw of Norway House, Man. and the Youth Recipient was Waneek Horn-Miller.

Over the past 15 years, the awards show has evolved into the most lavish Aboriginal entertainment project in the country, supported by private and public sector financial contributors.

"This year's set is the largest set ever assembled in Canada, and the largest television set ever assembled in North America," said National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation founder, chair, and executive producer, John Kim Bell. "Everybody was asking me 'how are you going to beat last year's forest set?' Well, here it is - a million dollar set which is the centrepiece of a $2 million event, employing over 100 people and seen all across Canada by millions of viewers."

The two-hour gala event opened with an hour of speeches, followed by a half-hour awards ceremony featuring video vignettes presenting the achievements of the award winners. Performances by Susan Aglukark and The 5th Generation were also a part of the evening's agenda.

The evening ended with a half-hour of video advertisements for the lead sponsors, participating sponsors, regional sponsors, federal sponsors, and public sector sponsors.

After the ceremonies concluded, audience members mingled with award recipients, commenting on aspects of the evening's presentations.

Though amazed by the set and the performances, many felt the commercial aspects of the show went on excessively long, but people recognized that today's corporate sponsors expect their product to receive such attention in exchange for their financial support.

"When I reflect on the past 15 years, I am very proud of what we have accomplished," said Bell. "The foundation has awarded over $9 million in scholarships. Our career fair series, Blueprint For The Future, is one of the most effective tools promoting higher education and a diversity of careers to Aboriginal youth, and the foundation has built trust funds totaling $5 million to provide for the future. All of this work would not be possible without the generous support of many corporations, private donors, individuals, and support from federal and provincial governments."