Saskatchewan group honors Aboriginal women

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Twelve Aboriginal women were honored last month for their contributions to their communities. More than 300 people attended the Women of the Dawn's first ever banquet and dance, held April 7 in Regina. And these 12 women won't be the last to be so recognized, said organization chairperson Ivy Kennedy.

This is to encourage Aboriginal women to try to achieve their goals, and to follow the examples of these role models," she said.

In political and social roles, women traditionally raise issues concerning children, health, poverty and education, she said. If women want these issues to be discussed and acted on, they must prepare to take leading political and social roles.

"And that's what these women have done."

"These women have been my mentors, and I'm glad they're getting the

recognition they deserve," said Lorna Docken, representing the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan.

Jim Sinclair, national president of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada,

echoed Kennedy's statements. Women took important behind-the-scenes roles in political movements in the 1970s and 80s, he said, but they have to move to the forefront to consolidate their gains or risk being pushed aside.

"Women were the ones who went with us to the demonstrations, that was needed for an Aboriginal revolution, a revolution without guns. They worked for democratic and accountable institutions. There are very few women on boards on a provincial or national level, and few women chiefs," he said. "There's Rosemary Kuptana of the national Inuit organization, and little else."

Chiefs and leaders want more women participating in communities' political and economic life, Kennedy said after the banquet. "They would welcome it, but we have to keep encouraging women to

participate," she said.

Keith Goulet, associate minister of Education, Training and Employment, also congratulated the women and the organization.

"This is not Aboriginal self-government in the abstract," said Goulet, a Native MLA representing the riding of La Ronge. "This work which these women and many others have done is self-government in the real world."

The women honored were: * Sarah Gordon of Regina, an elder on the Women of the Dawn board; * Julie Pitzel of Christopher Lake, co-ordinator of Aboriginal women programs for the provincial department of education;

* Maria Campbell of Batoche, a playwright, film maker, creative writing

teacher at the University of Saskatchewan and author of eight books, the

best known of which is Half Breed;

* Sherry Racette, a fine arts teacher at the University of Regina;

* Erma Taylor of Fort Qu'Appelle, a longtime community volunteer;

* Theresa Stevenson of Regina, a literacy volunteer and executive

director of Chilli For Children, a hot lunch program for poor children

in Saskatchewan's capital;

* Joan Peigan of Fort Qu'Appelle, a businesswoman;

*Norma Jean Dubray-Byrd, project manager of the Circle Project;

* Pauline Anderson of Lebret, a community worker;

*Shirley Wolfe of Regina, a community worker;

* Reina Sinclair of Regina, a community worker and candidate for the

Liberal Party in a Regina riding in the last federal election.

Kennedy and Eileen McAllister were also honored at the banquet. The two women were the two guiding forces behind the organization. McAllister recently resigned as president to return home to northern Saskatchewan.

Other speakers included Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Jack Wiebe; Regina MLA Joanne Crofford, minister responsible for Aboriginal and Metis issues; and Regina city councilor Jim Harding. Errol Kinistino, an actor with the television show North of 60, hosted the banquet.

Women on the Dawn's more than 200 members selected the women to be honored, Kenney said. Membership in the community-based social services agency is open to all poor women in Regina.

The two-year-old organization is also known by its Cree name, Iskwewak Waniskawak. Its major focus is to break the cycle of pverty and dependence on social assistance. Withgrants from the province and the City of Regina, the organization is training some women to be child-care workers, who will work in safe houses for children at risk, Kennedy said.

"Otherwise, the children would be taken by Social Services," she said.

Correction

In the article headlined Saskatchewan group honors Aboriginal women, May 1995 issue, Lynda Francis was not named as one of the 12 women honored at the Women of the Dawn banquet. Francis is the Director of Native Counselling Services and a board director of Regina Health District. We apologize for this omission.