A liaison worker from the George Gordon First Nation, a St. John’s certified medical first responder from the Pasqua First Nation, and a hockey and baseball coach from the Piapot First Nation were just some of the recipients at this past weekend’s Women of the Dawn First Nations Awards in Regina.
Fourteen awards were handed out in total — including the community work involvement award to Byron Bitternose, the medicine and health award to Cynthia Desnomie, and the sports and recreation award to Harold Kaiswatum.
The lifetime achievement award went to Lindsay Kaye, a band councillor, social worker and former chief of the Sakimay First Nation, who recently re-entered politics after battling the effects of a stroke.
MBC Cree language host Abel Charles won the journalism award.
Hilliard Gardypie of the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation was the recipient of the veterans award.
A gospel group from the George Gordon First Nation, “Echoes of File Hills”, was the winner in the arts and entertainment category.
The business award went to Errol Eashappie from the Carry the Kettle First Nation for establishing the Aboriginal Skilled Workers Association.
Sakimay First Nation Chief Lynn Acoose won the education award, while former FSIN vice-chief Lindsay Cyr took home the justice award.
Pearl Jack of the Ochapowace First Nation received the award in the social work category.
The Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services agency was the winner in the social development category.
Raquel Pasap of the Carry the Kettle First Nation received the science and technology award.
The Thunderchild First Nation’s Tessa Weekusk won in the youth category.