The Circle of Honour Awards held at the Saskatoon Inn was a wonderful evening filled with many laughs, courtesy of Master of Ceremonies Lyle Daniels, and some warm, encouraging words by special Guest Speaker, George Lafond. There were many dignitaries in attendance and the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company provided excellent entertainment between award presentations. The awards committee did a wonderful job in arranging these ceremonies. Gratitude is extended to Circle of Honour Awards committee, the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company and the Saskatoon Inn for the wonderful evening. Following are the list of nomination areas and the recipients.

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Nathan Gamle
Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation
Education
Academic/Scholastic Achievement
Male

Nathan is 17 years old and is currently enrolled in the Willow Cree Education Complex. Nathan is an honour student and maintains an excellent attendance record. Nathan is described as a young man who knows no boundaries and sets his goals high. He is a member of the Willow Cree Education Complex Students Against Drunk Driving chapter, involved in sports and is an excellent role model for all youth. Nathan abstains from drugs and alcohol and is true to his beliefs.

Lisa Bouvier
Canoe Lake First Nation
Education
Academic/Scholastic Achievement
Female

Lisa Bouvier is 17 years old and is currently enrolled in the Canoe Lake High School. She is an 'A' student, maintaining a 90% average. She has an impeccable attendance record while holding the post President for the Student Representative Council, and is involved in various extra curricular activities. Lisa is an inspiration to the other students around her.

The Moosomin School Staff
Education
Teacher/Support Staff

The Moosomin School Staff is a staff that is dedicated to the development and excellence of their students. The staff has a sense of professionalism while maintaining a personal relationship with the students. In addition, to their loyalty to the students, many of the staff are members of Moosomin First Nation this provides wonderful local role models for the students.

Virginia Moberly
Buffalo River Dene Nation
Education
Support Staff/Administrator

Virginia Moberly is a teacher at the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation at the Division IV level. She is an innovative and effective classroom teacher who stresses the importance of students learning about their culture. In addition, she has encouraged her students to become familiar with significant people, past and present, from the Beardy's community. As a result of her unique approach to teaching, Virginia's students have received many various awards, locally and provincially.

Cody Campbell
Buffalo River Dene Nation
Education
Post-Secondary Award

Cody is a student at the National Aviation College in Prince Albert. He attended the Buffalo River School, where he played volleyball, and took on a role of leadership within the sport and transcended to everyday life. Cody is considering attending the University of Saskatchewan in the fall in the College of Arts and Science.

The nominations for Sports, Culture, Youth and Recreation. There were eight recipients that were recognized in the categories of: Team, Athlete-Professional, Athlete-Amateur, Coach, Founder/Builder, Volunteer, Youth Role Model and Art/Culture/Music.

Team Saskatchewan
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Team

Team Saskatchewan is a young midgets hockey team comprised of First Nation and Metis youth from across the province. The team was selected following a tryout process in December and continued to train together leading up the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Akwesasne, Ontario from April 24th to May 3rd, 2003. Team Saskatchewan went undefeated meeting Team Manitoba in the Gold Medal final where they defeated Team Manitoba in overtime 3-2. This is the second year of the Championships and Team Manitoba was the defending Champs.

Shaylynn Pewapisconias
Little Pine First Nation
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Athlete Amateur

Shaylynn Pewapisconias is a 19-year-old student attending the University of Wisconsin on a hockey scholarship to play for the Wisconsin Yellowjackets. Shaylynn has also played with other teams in Canada, most recently Team Saskatchewan at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. Shaylynn is an excellent role model for young women and is truly a team player and a joy to be around.

Tom Gardipy
Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Athlete Professional

Tom Gardipy is a well-known trainer in thoroughbred horse racing as his family has been involved in the area for four generations. Tom won trainer of the year at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon for the years 2001 and 2002. He has proven without doubt that he is a great competitor in his field.

Roger Ballantyne is an avid member within the community coaching minor hockey and volleyball. Roger was an assistant coach on the Gold Medal winning Jr. Men's Team at the North American Indigenous Games this past summer in Winnipeg. Roger works hard balancing his family and his numerous coaching positions he's taken on within the community. As well Roger was coach of the Saskatchewan midget boys who won gold at National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Melinda Whitecloud
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Founder/Builder

Melinda Whitecloud is a teacher/native liaison worker at Archbishop M.C. O'Neil High School. She created the Aboriginal Leadership Team at the high school, which was developed from a native perspective, and in the beginning only had six members but has grown to over eighty. The program assists native youth in developing skills for the future, and increases their awareness on issues from within the Aboriginal community. She is not only a teacher but is considered a friend by many of her students.

Joseph Arnold Stone
Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Volunteer

Joseph Arnold Stone has been involved with the St. John Ambulance services for fourteen years and has achieved the rank of Sergeant and appointed to the position of Serving Brother. As well he has been employed at the Department of National Defense for over twenty years. He is a regular volunteer for summer and winter games, the Whitecap Fire Department and is a First Responder for Whitecap.

Robert Daniels
One Arrow First Nation
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Youth Role Model

Robert Daniels is currently a teacher's associate for the Almightyvoice Education Centre on One Arrow. Robert has been a model for the youth as he has abstained from drugs and alcohol. He leads a life that is traditional in nature, he and his family are held in high regard when they visit various communities while dancing on the Pow Wow trail.

Travis Gardipy
Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Youth Role Model

Travis Gardipy is an excellent role model through his devotion to the sport of hockey. Travis excels in the sport of hockey. Travis or "Trapper" recently played for Team Saskatchewan at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. Travis was an assistant captain on the Beardy's AAA midget hockey team. He also played with Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games in New Brunswick this year.

Lawrence Eyahpaise
Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation
Sports, Culture, Youth & Recreation
Art/Culture/Music

Lawrence's journey to become a cultural leader started at a young age when he attended and watched many ceremonies with his father. As he grew older he realized his abilities and also noted that the Cree language was not used as much in his community. He took the initiative to begin to teach Cree at the secondary level and has been teaching Cree at the Willow Cree Education Complex for 15 years. Lawrence has also formed various groups in the community that promotes cultural awareness, and also put on various cultural events.

In the area of Health and Social Development three awards were given out in the categories: Healing and Policy Initiative-Individual, Healing and Policy Initiative-Community and Youth/Adolescent Tobacco Control Initiative.

Rose Atimoyoo
Little Pine First Nation
Health & Social Development
Healing & Policy Initiative
Individual

Rose is well known in Saskatchewan for her involvement in many areas of health and wellness. She was the CHR advisor with National Health and Welfare (Medical Services Branch) for 28 years in northern Saskatchewan. She worked in Meadow Lake for 15 years and was employed at the Battlefords Indian Hospital for 13 years. She is presently a national Elder Advisor for the First Nations and Inuit Home Community Care Program. She advises Saskatchewan nurses on culturally appropriate practices and she sits as an Elder Advisor with several health related programs including Canadian Prenatal Nutrition, Disabilities and Youth. Rose's involvement with the Home and Community Care Program began with her husband the late Smith Atimoyoo. Through his illness of almost eight years she developed an interest in improving these services for all First Nations in Saskatchewan.

Battleford Tribal Council Health Services
Health & Social Development
Healing & Policy Initiative
Community

Battleford Tribal Council Indian Health Services provides community based health services to

Chief Cameron Watson
Chacachas
Health & Social Development
Youth/Adolescent Tobacco Control

Cameron is current Chief of Chacachas First Nation and former Chief of Ochpowace First Nation. Chief Watson has a strong interest in promoting First Nations youth issues, especially education and has encouraged First Nations youth to complete their education. Chief Watson developed and put forward a controversial resolution in February 2003 to ban smoking at all Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation legislative assemblies and meetings. With this new policy the FSIN staff, members of the FSIN and visitors now have the benefit of a safe and healthy environment to conduct business.

For the area of Economic and Community Development, recipients were recognized for their contributions in the categories of: Housing Innovative Initiative, First Nation Business Person and First Nation Business.

Onion Lake Housing Authority
Economic & Community Development
Housing Innovative Initiative

The Onion Lake Housing Authority has assisted many Onion Lake First Nation members in attaining quality housing, while also assisting those with homes through renovation. The Housing Authority has removed political interference from their decision-making to improve program delivery services.

Sandra Bighead
Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation
Economic & Community Development
First Nation Business Person

In 1989, Sandra purchased the assets of an existing auto wrecker and change the name to "Adam's Auto Wrecking" for an advantage in the phone book. In the early 90's, Adam's Auto Wrecking received a grant from the Canadian Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy (C.A.E.D.S.) to expand the operation from 6 employees to 12 employees and sales have since tripled.

Cree Way Gas
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Economic & Community Development
First Nation Business

Cree Way Gas Ltd. is a Petro Canada Gas Bar & Convenience Store Operation owned by the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. It is located on Asimakaniseekan Askiy (Soldiers Land) Reserve in 102A in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Cree Way Gas has created twenty jobs, twelve full-time and eight part-time positions. In January 2003 the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation held a ceremonial Mortgage Burning to commemorate their success.

The area of Justice has three categories which recognition was given. Those categories are: First Nation Justice Initiative-Individual and First Nation Justice Initiative-Community.

Melvina Elizabeth Eagle
Whitecap Dakota First Nation
First Nation Justice Initiative
Individual

Melvina Elizabeth Eagle is a respected member and elder of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Melvina has given guidance as a counselor at the Kilburn Young Offender's Custody Facility and the Egadz Youth Center. She also works with the Saskatoon Police force to help individuals who encounter a language barrier. She also ensured the creation of a Justice Committee on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Melvina has made a huge difference with the youth she has encountered as well as being committed to her family and her community.

The Willow Cree Education Complex
Students Against Drinking and Driving
First Nation Justice Initiative
Community

The Willow Cree Education Complex, Students Against Drinking and Driving (W.C.E.C SADD) chapter has seen considerable growth in its three years of existence. W.C.E.C. SADD chapter plays a significant role in the community and has also had the opportunity to assist other communities in Alberta. The group promotes a lifestyle that is alcohol and drug free, while teaching members, young and old, of Beardy's and Okemasis the realities of drinking and driving.

For those people who dedicate their time in the area of Lands and Resources, there were recipients in the categories of: Environmental Respect-Individual and Environmental Respect-Community.

Bill Marion
Lands & Resources
Environment Respect
Individual

Bill Marion is an employee of the James Smith Cree Nation. He works within the area of water and waste water treatment. Bill is very active in the education and prevention of human disease due to unsafe drinking water. He diligently promotes the education to his fellow water treatment colleagues in Saskatchewan and Canada.

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The grade 11 Native Studies class of the John Head Memorial Education Center at Red Earth has come up with various group projects that have benefited the environment at Red Earth. The class has cleaned the schoolyard, gotten rid of graffiti on local buildings, and cleaned a river to make it safe for swimming and fishing. Their projects were influential within the community, as many Red Earth members have joined in and worked with the students in their venture for a cleaner environment.

The Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association has designated an award called the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association Humanity Award. For those who have dedicated their live to assisting others through innovative ways.

Eleven (11) Saskatchewan First Nation Soldiers
Saskatchewan First Nation Veterans Association
Humanity Award

The FSIN Circle of Honour 2003 would like to recognize the eleven Native Brothers & Sisters who served in the Iraq War. These Warriors are commended with their bravery and risking their lives for the people of Canada, the United States and Iraq. Alexis Dustyhorn, Kawacatoose First Nation, US Military; Tyrone Roper, Yellowquill First Nation, US Military; Amber McArthur, Pheasant Rump First Nation, US Military; Cory Heffernan, Muskoday First Nation, US Military; Bruce Munrow Jr., Muskoday First Nation, US Military; Carmen Bear, Muskoday First Nation, Canadian Military; Darcy Bear, Muskoday First Nation, Canadian Military; Rob Brown, Mistawasis First Nation, Canadian Military; Lori Asiacan, Cowesses First Nation, Canadian Military and Ryan Redwood, Cowesses First Nation, Canadian Navy.

Also the Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Council has designated categories for Youth Leadership, Woman's Leadership and Honouring Our Mothers.

Jenna Tanner
Cowesses First Nation
Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Council
Youth Leadership

Jenna is 14 years old and a student at Rosemont School in Regina. She is dedicated and committed to her studies and participates actively in sports. Jenna is a grade 'A' student and often receives 100% on her exams. She has received three Terrific Kid Awards and has read 1000 books in one school term and received twenty Readers Certificates. Since the age of 10, she has been actively involved in the Regina Minor Softball Association as a pitcher. In her spare time, she has a part-time job cleaning offices with her parents. She is grateful to her parents, Ruby & Debbie and to her teachers at Rosemont for their support and guidance. Jenna is truly an outstanding young person and is very much deserving of this award.

Irene Tootoosis
Poundmaker First Nation
Saskatchewan First Nation Women's Council
Women's Leadership

In 1964 Irene was crowned Miss Indian Canada. In 1965 she married Gordon Tootoosis and had three daughters (Alanna, Glynis and Disa) plus raised many foster children. In the 70's and 80's Irene moved to the Poundmaker First Nation where her political career began. She became Chief and remained in Council for eight years. During this time she became President of the Saskatchewan Women's Association. In 1987, she studied at SIFC and received a degree in Social Work and later on earned her Masters in Social Work in British Columbia. Today she is actively involved with the Saskatchewan First Nation Women's Council. In addition to her busy schedule she is raising her deceased daughter's Glynis' children with her husband Gordon. She is an outstanding woman and is well respected in First Nations communities.

Bea Lavallee
Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan First Nation Women's Council
Honouring Our Mothers

In 1937, Bea was forced to attend residential school. She views the residential school as a frightening experience. Today Bea gives the impression that nothing scares her. In 1999, she visited SIFC and liked it so much she decided to stay, "this is where I fit," she said. She is now SIFC's elder in residence. She also served as a band councillor on her reserve for four years. Bea is an incredibly strong woman who has overcome many difficulties in her life. She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother and kokum. Students who have been raised with traditional values appreciate her guidance. Bea shares her knowledge with all and makes everyone feel welcome.

In the area of Communications a media award has been established for those that have made an invaluable contribution through media.

Dominga Robinson
Pheasant Rump First Nation
Communications
Media

Dominga is 23 years old and is a writer/actress who has completed

And finally the recognition for those people who have dedicated themselves to the well being of others and contributed to or on behalf of First Nations this area is for Indian Government. There were three recipients in this area and the categories are: Citizen of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Posthumous Recognition.

Alma & Simon Kytwayhat Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Indian Government Citizens of the Year

Alma and her husband Simon are a team that fosters personal development according to the medicine wheel. They use the drum song as a way of healing and to bring all people together. They have been actively involved with the Bold Eagle (Militia) Program and the Joe Duquette High School. Alma has been a part of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner Treaty Table process since 1997 and Simon and Alma sit on the OTC Speakers Bureau. They provide the role as advisor, counsellor and supporter and their cultural traditional teachings encourage youth to be proud of who they are.

Sol Sanderson Chakastaypasin Band Indian Government Lifetime Achievement

Sol George Sanderson is a member of the Chakastaypasin Band. He is father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. Sol served five and half years on the Prince Albert City Police Force and moved to the area of politics. Sol has worked hard for First Nations people of Saskatchewan and has held the position of Executive Director, First Vice-President and ultimately served as Chief of the FSIN for six years. Sol was one of the founders of the FSIN education institutions, SIIT, SIFC and SICC. In addition, Sol fought hard to have inclusions made in the 1982 Constitution. Currently, Sol is working for the First Nations Forum, an institute that he is co-founder, researching and developing First Nations Public Policy.

Late Gordon Oakes (Red Bear) Nekaneet First Nation Indian Government Posthumous Award April 11, 1932 - February 3, 2003

Gordon Oakes (Red Bear) was born in the Cypress Hills on what is now called the Nekaneet First Nation to the late Mo-ca-na and Abel Oakes. His father, Abel, raised Gordon and his sisters, Josephine (deceased), Iona, Mary, and brother, John. As a community, the people of Nekaneet remained isolated from the other Nations, and thus, their language and spiritual beliefs have remained strong. Gordon always was a strong leader, spiritually and politically, within his own community and within the province.

Throughout his lifetime, Gordon worked consistently in both worlds, and brought this strong work ethic to everything that he accomplished. He was the Chief of the Nekaneet Reserve from 1958 to 1962 and from 1970 to 1992. He pursued the Treaty Land Entitlement Process to its eventual conception. Gordon Oakes sat at the Treaty Tables within the Treaty Governance Processes of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and was also an Elder Board member of the Wanuskewin Heritage Park Board. He initiated and brought to fruition the eventual placement of the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge in the Cypress Hills. During Prince Charles April 2001 visit to Saskatchewan, Elder Oakes bestowed a Cree Name to the Prince at Wanuskewin. Elder Gordon Oakes created the Treaty 4 flag. His vision of this flag for Treaty 4 became a reality and now flies proudly in many First Nation communities. The flag has become a symbol to be used in common by all Treaty 4 First Nations. Gordon resided at the Nekaneet Reserve with his wife, Jean and raised three children, Irene, Larry and Colin and numerous grandchildren and adopted family members.