Ontario honors First Nation women with award.

The Ontario provincial government commemorated National Women's Month on Oct. 18 by recognizing the contributions of three First Nation women.

The women were the first recipients of the Leading Women, Building Communities Awards, given out to recognize women who have made significant contributions to their communities and served as positive role models for girls and women. Ontario's minister for women's issues, Sandra Pupatello, handed out the awards.

The recipients were chosen from among a list of women nominated for the award by Ontario members of provincial parliament. Each recipient was presented with a framed certificate.

One of the women to receive the award was Sylvia Maracle, who has been executive director of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres for the past 28 years. Many politicians are familiar with Maracle as she often advocates on behalf of urban Aboriginal people and women.

"Working for your community is an award in itself," Maracle said. The room filled with laughter when she reflected on how she prepared to accept the award.

"I don't speak from notes. I'm Mohawk and they said (you need to speak for) two to three minutes and I laughed. That's just getting started." She explained that she has been working for her community for so long that she now asks herself, "When did I get so old?"

Maracle attributes her success to people around her. "People believed in me," she said. In turn, she shared a simple bit of inspiration. "My message is 'I believe. I simply believe.'"

Another recipient thanked both her ancestors and future generations for her award. Lillian McGregor is the Elder-in-residence at the University of Toronto's First Nations House. She also works with Ontario's Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy. She has won numerous awards. At 82, she is the oldest woman to receive the award.

"I thank the ancestors who walked ahead of us and the many children who are following in our footsteps," she said. "I'm extremely honored. In my 82 years on this earth I've seen the challenges that the women from the four corners of the earth have faced."

McGregor surveyed the room, then said, "We're three generations here today. We need to be educated to get to this distance."

The Elder closed on a humorous note by stating that her next step is to run for government office.

The halls of power are surely familiar to the third recipient, Justice Madame Rose Boyko. Justice Boyko had a successful nursing career and law career before becoming the first Aboriginal woman appointed as a judge to a superior court in Canada in 1994. She currently presides over family law in Newmarket, Ont. Boyko is a Tsek'ehne woman originally from B.C.

"I'm grateful for the many opportunities I have had, whether it be in nursing, as a lawyer or as a judge, to participate in initiatives that build community," Boyko said.

The ceremony was attended by other special Aboriginal women, including the host, CBC television personality Carla Robinson. Robinson is a Haisla/Heiltsuk woman from B.C. She is instantly recognizable as she is one of the only First Nations people on a mainstream news network.

Robinson relayed her experience as an Aboriginal woman on television. She explained that when she started with the CBC in the late 1990s, she wasn't doing much coverage. That's when John Kennedy Jr. died and she ended up being on the air constantly. She wasn't used to doing so many live interviews and felt that she did a bad job at one point, and even heard that a viewer sent in a complaint.

Robinson was feeling down and decided to take a walk in the park. "I just sat on the grass and I just prayed. I just prayed for strength," she said. "My thoughts began to turn ... 'You come from a long line of strong women.'"

She didn't know if it was her ancestors speaking to her or her own thoughts. Her story reflected the importance of women drawing on the strength of their ancestors to help them achieve their goals.

"I'm especially honored to be here in recognition of the achievement of fellow Aboriginal women," Robinson said.

Another group of women travelled from Ottawa to come and honor Maracle, McGregor, and Boyko. The Women of Wabano are a group of hand drummers and singers who work at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health. The three women in the group--Carlie Chase, Allison Fisher and Beverley Souliere--had high energy and powerful songs to share. They performed two songs, closing the ceremony on a powerful note by inviting everyone to join in and help sing the Strong Women song. Pupatello recognized the work of the Wabano Centre and praised the women for coming to the ceremony.

By Melanie Ferris

Birchbark Writer

TORONTO