Aboriginal

The Inspiring 2018 Indspire Awards

Sadly, for many Canadians the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on July 21st will come and go with little fanfare. However, we all have a second chance this week to increase our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Peoples by tuning into the Indspire Awards this Sunday evening.  This inspiring program will be broadcast nationwide on June 24, 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC, CBC Radio One and cbc.ca/watch.  http://www.cbc.ca/indspire/watch-the-2018-indspire-awards-1.4552124

The Indspire Awards, until 2012 the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, are held annually. These awards first presented in 1994 celebrate exceptional First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals. Each of the recipients is honoured for her/his significant contributions. The awards recognize one individual with a lifetime achievement award.  Other recipients of awards are from the following career categories: Arts, Business & Commerce, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality, Education, Health, Law & Justice, Politics, Public Service and Sports. Not all individual career categories are necessarily presented annually. This year’s awards recognize individuals from a wide range of categories including the first Indigenous graduate of the University of British Columbia and the first Inuk surgeon. There are also three special Youth Awards - one for   First Nations,   Inuit     and   Métis, that come with a cash prize of $10,000.  

The broadcast also features special performances by Indigenous talent from across Canada. This year's list includes:

  • Indian City led by Vince Fontaine (2018 Juno-nominated)
  • Sanikiluaq singer and songwriter Kelly Fraser (2018 Juno-nominated)
  • Dancer and choreographer Santee Smith
  • Singer, composer, and producer Jennifer Kreisberg (Genie Award winner for Best Achievement in Music)
  • Classically trained Canadian cellist Cris Derksen, with members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
  • Dance troupe Asham Stompers, with 13-year-old twin fiddler brothers Double the Trouble and Gustin Adjun.

On several occasions I’ve availed myself of the opportunity to watch the Indspire Awards.  As the final credits rolled, I have always come away with a heightened appreciation for the numerous gifts and wisdom that Indigenous Peoples contribute to our national mosaic. - Sr. Nancy Wales, csj

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FULL CIRCLE … BUT NOT QUITE

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In 1967, ten aboriginal students from a Residential School near Winnipeg earned the honour of collectively running 800 kilometers with the torch that would open the Pan Am Games. As they arrived at the entrance of the stadium to what would be the cheers of the crowd, the torch was taken from them and given to non-aboriginal runners. The boys were given money to buy lunch before they got on a bus to return to their Residential School.

In 1999 at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, the men were invited to carry the torch into the stadium in a gesture intended to undo the injustice of thirty years earlier.

Fast forward another 15 years. The young boys, now nearly 70 years old came to Guelph for the premiere of the film, FrontRunners, which chronicles their story. They spoke of abuse and deprivation. They spoke of how the experience of Residential Schools has affected their intimate relationships. They also spoke about the healing they experience in having their story received.

Some stories continue to reveal primary truths.

  • There is always the possibility to write a new chapter of a story.
  • We carry the weight of some distressing stories all our lives. “We’re sorry”, while meaningful, does not fully repair damage done.
  • The capacity for human truth-telling and for reframing of our stories makes artists of us all.

For more information: http://www.anglican.ca/relationships/resources/niiganibatowaad

Niigaanibatowaad: FrontRunners Movie Trailer

Margo Ritchie CSJ