Esquao awards gala attracts hundreds

Page 9

Metis woman Colleen Klein was the guest of honor at the sixth annual Esquao Awards held May 24. The wife of Premier Ralph Klein received the first-ever Circle of Honor Award for her work in improving the lives of Alberta's children as a committed volunteer.

"Always remember that we will be known forever by the tracks that we leave," said Mrs. Klein in an emotional acceptance speech. "And we still have a lot of tracks to leave by working together."

Adrian Stimson Jr., a long-time family friend, spoke of her involvement as a director of the Siksika Nation youth entrepreneurship program. "I know it meant a lot to the youth when Colleen would join us in activities or bring supplies to build a garden. In fact, when the weather was bad and the rain was hurricane status, she was there, in her goulashes and rain coat, planting alongside the kids. This is dedication."

Altogether, 24 Native women nominated by their communities were honored at the Esquao Gala hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women.

In addition to the Circle of Honor award, categories of achievement and the recipients are as follows: Arts and Entertainment-Delilah Dwyer; Business-Nicole Bourque and Sandra Cardinal; Community Involvement-Pearl Auger, Bonnie Belhumeur, Karen Bruno, Sheila Courtorielle, Annette Cutknife, Ester Giroux, Nora Flett, Stephanie Jensen, Marie McLeod, Evelyn Norberg and Eleanor Sawan; Health, Medicine and Culture-Emily Hunter, Brenda Holder and Leona Beaulieu; Mentor/Lifetime Achievement-Joyce Parenteau, Marge Mueller, Octavie L'Hirondelle-Calihoo and Amanda Boisvert; and Youth Role Model-Ginny Lee Collins and Jessica Clark.

"A male council member I was talking to about coming to this event tonight asked me, 'How come there is no recognition and awards for men, just women?' And I thought about it for a while and said, "Isn't it obvious by now? Can't you see which group of people get things done, get things moving?" said Alexander First Nation Chief Victoria Arcand.

The women receiving the awards were united by volunteer work performed for the benefit of their respective communities without the goal of glory or recognition.

"It is probably the most special type of recognition that I have ever received and it means the most to me because it comes from my peers," said Nora Flett from Fort McMurray. "We just all recognize different ways that we can try to do a small thing to make things better. You see a need, you've got some time and you try to do what you can to help."

The award celebration was a time of eating fine food, listening to inspirational speeches and hilarious entertainment and seeing awards handed out. Entertainer of note was Derric Starlight, who had the audience laughing uncontrollably with his voice imitations and puppets.

A silent auction was held in the foyer, where almost 100 donated items including paintings, coats, rounds of golf and jackets were sold to raise funds.

"I can't tell you how astounded I was to see the size of the crowd," said Premier Klein. He recalled the first awards ceremony six years ago when about 60 people gathered in the Howard Johnson Hotel.

Ten times that number packed Edmonton's Westin Hotel ballroom this year, including many Elders, chiefs and MLAs.

"With our hands joined, we will continue to stand firm in our resolve; we will continue doing whatever needs doing, whether it ever gets recognized or not," said Metis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitrais. "And we will do it because that's the way we are as Aboriginal women."