2013 Indspire Award Recipient Biographies
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2013 Indspire Award Recipient Biographies Arts: Jacqueline Guest Métis Alberta As a writer of fiction for children and youth, her characters often depict Indigenous cultures and deal with common issues such as bullying and blended families. Guest has published numerous short stories and 17 novels to date which are read throughout Canada and around the world. She has been presenting First Nation and Métis culture for over 20 years to Canadian audiences as a sought after speaker, presenter, workshop leader and educator. She fosters future writing careers as a mentor to up- and-coming Indigenous writers through online coaching. Her novels Free Throw and Triple Threat won the 2012 American Indian Youth Literature Award from the American Indian Library Association. Her recent novel Ghost Messages was a Silver Birch Finalist and won a gold medal at the prestigious Moonbeam Awards. Guest currently travels across Canada spreading the word of literacy and sending positive messages through her many public appearances and book signings. Business & Commerce: Charlie Evalik Inuit Nunavut Since the mid 1980’s, he has been fostering self -reliance through improved economic opportunities for Inuit communities, especially through the establishment and promotion of Inuit-owned business. Evalik was also an important contributor to the settlement of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the creation of the new territory of Nunavut. He is a founding member of the Nunavut Resources Corporation (NRC) and currently serves as Chairman of Board. NRC was developed to diversify and develop the economy of Nunavut by attracting investment capital to the region. Capital secured by the NRC is then invested by direct equity investments in resource companies in Nunavut, and indirect investments in non-renewable resource projects. He is currently the President of Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA), a post he has held for 15 years through five terms. He has been instrumental in helping to direct the two economic development subsidiaries of the KIA, the Kitikmeot Corporation (KC) and the Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission (KEDC), where he sits as a board member for both agencies. Culture, Heritage & Spirituality: Winston Wuttunee First Nation: Red Pheasant, Eagle Hills Saskatchewan He is a renowned Cree entertainer and respected Elder. Wuttunee’s songs carry strong messages of cultural pride to help his people through difficult situations such as suicide, lost identity and drug and alcohol abuse. Storytelling is his method of reaching out and sharing traditional knowledge. He has performed extensively across Canada, the United States and overseas for more than 35 years. He held a teaching position at the University of Brandon in the Indigenous music course and played a prominent role in the publishing of the Aboriginal Headstart Course. With a strong passion for education, he played a key role in developing a cultural curriculum for the Laichwiitach Family Life Society and contributed to educational and cultural books for use in friendship and resource centres. More recently, he has been approached by the Treaty Rights Commission of Manitoba to write music for programs delivered to schools throughout Manitoba. Currently, Wuttunee has been speaking to university students about the joys and positive effects of Indigenous music. Education: Shawn A-in-chut Atleo First Nations: Ahousaht #659 British Columbia He is the current National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and was recently re-elected to another term in July 2012. In 2003, Atleo graduated with a Masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. 2008 saw him become the first Indigenous Chancellor of Vancouver Island University. His dedication to the education of his people is evident in his daily work and confirmed as a top priority for the Assembly of First Nations. This commitment was apparent in January 2012 when the historic Crown-First Nations Gathering took place. Prior to his position as National Chief, he served two terms as Regional Chief of British Columbia. He was also at the forefront of the historic Leadership Accord among First Nation political organizations in British Columbia to commit to working together for the benefit of all First Nation people in the province. As a strong advocate of Indigenous education, Atleo has been awarded an honorary doctorate of law degree from Nipissing University in 2010, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Environment & Natural Resources: Lloyd (Sonny) Flett Métis Alberta Living his entire life in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, he has devoted his efforts to protecting the environment while working in partnership with developing industries. In 1993, Flett co-managed the Traditional Knowledge Component for the Northern River Basin Study. It ensured traditional knowledge would play a key role in the expansion of the area pulp mill. As development increased in northern Alberta, he realized the need to further Indigenous economic development. This led him to develop joint ventures between the Métis local, two First Nations in the municipality of Wood Buffalo and business partners. This led to the establishment of Akita Wood Buffalo and Wood Buffalo Catering Ltd. As co-founder to both, he remains active as Chairman of the board to Akita Drilling and member of the executive committee, spokesperson, and lead negotiator for Wood Buffalo Catering Ltd. Flett is currently serving his fourth term as Councillor for the Fort Chipewyan Municipal Government and continues his work to fuse traditional knowledge with modern development while continuing to maintain the environment. Health: Ruby Jacobs First Nation: Six Nations of the Grand River Ontario As past Director of Health Services for the Six Nations of the Grand River, she retired in 2007 after 13 years. As Director, Jacobs led the development of 21 community health initiatives, building the departments from only four staff members to well over 200. This growth resulted in the establishment of the Birthing Centre entitled Tsi Non:We Ionnakeratstha in Mohawk meaning “A place to be born” and Ona:grahsta in Cayuga meaning “birthing place.” Others include ambulance services, programs for long term care/home care, mental health, health promotion, healthy babies/healthy children, social development, sexual health and dental care. She was instrumental in the establishment of Ganohkwasra which has an international reputation for the programs and services offered for family assault support. She also oversaw the completion of the White Pines Wellness Centre and as a result Six Nations was awarded a Satellite Dialysis Unit by the Ministry of Health. Post-retirement, Jacobs continues her commitment and involvement in the health and well being of Indigenous people in her community. Law & Justice: Viola Robinson First Nation: Mi’Kmaq, Acadia First Nation Nova Scotia She has dedicated much of her life and career to advocacy work for justice towards the rights of Mi’kmaq and all Indigenous people. Robinson began her work in 1975, becoming the the voice for those individuals who were discriminated against for living off reserves or were without status. She is the founder and long-time President of the Native Council of Nova Scotia. In 1990 she was elected as President of the then Native Council of Canada, now known as the Congress of Aboriginal People. 10 months later she was appointed Commissioner for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. In more recent years, she worked with the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative, becoming the lead negotiator and is currently active in that position. She also sits as Chair for the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council. Robinson has received both the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada for her many contributions to the well-being of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous people throughout Canada. Politics: Duane Smith Inuit Northwest Territories He is the current Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada), an organization representing Inuit from Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia. Smith also serves as Vice-President of Inuit Tapariit Kanatami (ITK), a position he has held for the past six years. He is a strong voice for Inuit peoples as a member of numerous Arctic organizations including co-chair of Arctic marine research program ArcticNet and was a member of the National Steering Committee recognizing the Canadian International Polar Year. Throughout his political life he has been a strong supporter of Arctic Land Claims, and in doing so has effectively driven initiatives in support of economic improvement in the North. As a committed campaigner for Indigenous rights and the environment, he maintains the importance of carrying on traditional knowledge. Smith continues to be an effective advocate for those involved in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region in positions for the past six years with the Inuvik Community Corporation and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation as Vice Chair for both. Public Service: Gail Cyr First Nations: Nelson House Reserve Manitoba She has made a life-long career of serving Indigenous people and all citizens of the Northwest Territories. Credited with establishing the Native Court Worker Association for the Northwest Territories, Cyr was involved with the program for ten years. She continued work in this capacity as appointed Chair of the Labour Standards Board and as Chair of the Victims Assistance Committee. She was elected as Alderman for five terms and has also worked as a Legislative and Political Development Advisor in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Currently she is the Special Advisor to the Minister Responsible for Women and involved with numerous organizations on family violence awareness. As a volunteer for many years and trained as a Medical First Responder with the St. John Ambulance Organization, Cyr received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in February of 2012 for her efforts in raising the organization’s profile in the north.