THE INDSPIRE AWARDS WINNERS
Here’s the list of this year’s laureates to be fêted for their successes:
CECE HODGSON-MCCAULEY
Politics The 94-year-old is the former president of the Norman Wells Land Corporation, and founding Chief of the Inuvik Dene band. She was the first woman Chief among the 23 Chiefs in the Northwest Territories.
DOREEN SPENCE
Culture, heritage and spirituality An internationally respected traditional Cree Elder from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Her teachings and traditional healing practice have taken her around the world, and she’s an advocate for human rights.
DUNCAN MCCUE
Public service The award-winning journalist and author, who hails from Georgina Island First Nation, hosts CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup program
HEATHER KASHMAN
Sports The former elite Metis hockey player from Manitoba currently works for a non-profit to find housing for the homeless.
JAN KAHEHTI:IO LONGBOAT
Culture, heritage and spirituality An elder, educator, writer, herbalist, cultural advocate and natural health practitioner from the Six Nations of the Grand River.
JOSH BUTCHER
Youth recipient Butcher is a med-school student and volunteer from the Metis Nation of Alberta.
KIMBERLY R. MURRAY
Justice The province of Ontario’s first assistant deputy attorney general for Aboriginal justice, and an expert in indigenous legal issues.
MAATALII OKALIK
Youth recipient President of the National Inuit Youth Council, Okalik promotes and practises Inuit languages, cultures, suicide prevention, education, empowerment and reconciliation.
NATHAN MATTHEW
Education B.C. chief Nathan Matthew has had a long career in education. He is a leader in the local, provincial, and national dialogue on self-determination for Indigenous education.
PHILLIP (JERRY) ASP
Business and commerce A member of the Tahlton Nation in B.C., Asp has been extensively involved in Canada’s mining industry and in supporting Aboriginal business development across Canada.
SENATOR MURRAY SINCLAIR
Lifetime Achievement After 25 years in Manitoba’s justice system, Sinclair served as the chair of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and was appointed to the Senate in 2016. The awards’ first double laureate, his first recognition was in 1994, when it was known as an Aboriginal Achievement Award.
SHERRILL ELIZABETH TEKATSITSIAKAWA (KATSI) COOK
Health An elder and advocate for the preservation and restoration of Aboriginal midwifery, and a major voice for community-driven environmental and reproductive justice, health, research and practice.
THOMAS DYMOND
Youth recipient A Queen’s University med-school student from Bear River First Nation, N.S. who’s active in his community, on and off campus.