Aboriginal Canadians among the latest to be honoured

[Order of Canada Awards]

Aboriginal Canadians among those honoured
May 5, 2007
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =8242#8242

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News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

February 20, 2007

87 new appointments to the Order of Canada were announced by the Governor General.

Among the new appointees is Joseph Gosnell Sr. of New Aiyansh, Nisga'a Nation in British Columbia. He received the Companionship award in the category of Social Services. Mr. Gosnell already holds an Order of Canada title for his outstanding contributions.

Also receiving an award for Social Services is Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation Chief, in British Columbia.

Patsy George of Vancouver, BC, who has worked with Aboriginal community development and immigrants, received an Order of Canada award in the Social Services category.

In the Visual Arts category, internationally renowned artist Alex Janvier of Cold Lake First Nations in Alberta. Also for Visual Arts - artist Gerald McMaster, a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation in Saskatchewan, the curator of Canadian art at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

In the Voluntary Service category, an Order of Canada award goes to Bertha Allen, a member of the Gwich'in First Nation who lives in Inuvik, NWT.

Also for Voluntary Service - 86 year old Teslin Tlingit Elder Pearl Keenan was awarded an order of Canada.

[The Order of Canada]

First Nations individuals among recipients at 2007 ceremony in Ottawa

News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy, Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

May 5, 2007

First Nations elders were among the recipients Friday at an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall, with Governor General Michaeelle Jean.

Here are several of the citations

Member of the Order of Canada,
BERTHA ALLEN (photo)
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/berthaallen.jpg

Bertha Allen is a champion of social, political and economic equality for Aboriginal and Northern women. An elder whose counsel is continually sought, she is a former president of the Native Women's Association of Canada and helped found the NWT Training Centres in Yellowknife and Inuvik. Grounded in her traditions and community, she was appointed to the Council of Grandmothers, which advises the territorial government on health, wellness and social development issues. After serving as president of the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories, she is now a member of the steering committee of its Women's Voices in Leadership initiative to increase the participation of women at all levels of government.

Member of the Order of Canada,
PEARL KEENAN (Photo)
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/pearlkeenan.jpg

Pearl Keenan is an invaluable source of wisdom for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the North. A respected elder of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation, she has actively worked to preserve and teach the Tlingit language, emphasizing the importance of culture and tradition in the midst of significant social change. She served as a member of the First Nations Education Commission and as chancellor of Yukon College. She was also a visiting elder in the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education. An important role model for Northern youth, she has worked diligently to keep her heritage strong.

Companion of the Order of Canada, (this is a promotion)

JOSEPH GOSENLL SR. (Photo)
http://www.turtleisland.org/photo/josephgosnellsr.jpg

Joseph Gosnell represents a beacon of hope, wisdom and guidance for indigenous peoples around the globe. After serving as chief negotiator and helping his people to conclude a historic treaty with the governments of Canada and British Columbia, he helped to implement the treaty as president of the new Nisga'a Lisims Government. The agreement created a comprehensive model of self-government for indigenous peoples. Aboriginal groups from the Americas, Africa, Europe and the South Pacific came to Canada to learn how the Nisga'a Nation's experience could inform their own land claim efforts. In addition, he is sought after as a speaker at international conferences and continues to be an elder statesman within the Aboriginal community.

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NOTE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC JOLIN

Eric Jolin
Sergeant / Sergent
Photographer to the Governor General
Photographe de la Gouverneure Générale
(613) 990-0615