Starfish Spirit Award

Created in 2015, this award recognizes the caring spirit, commitment, and dedication to making a significant impact on the quality of life of many individuals within the Indigenous Community.

It is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated the above values in their everyday life and their work for the people.

The Starfish Award was inspired by this Starfish story:

Making A Difference
An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm. A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean. “Why do you bother?” the old man scoffed. “You’re not saving enough to make a difference”. The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back to the water. “Made a difference to that one,” he said.

Eligibility Criteria

• Active participation in the development of the Indigenous community
• A significant contribution to the Indigenous community and/or to De dwa da dehs nye>s
• Demonstrates a caring spirit and dedication to making a significant impact in the quality of life of individuals and the overall Indigenous community. An individual or a team who:
  • has gone above and beyond to make a significant impact on the support, care and delivery of health care of the Indigenous Community.
  • is an exemplary team player or team.
  • has made some significant contributions and positive impacts on the culture of De dwa da dehs nye>s.
  • has moved the organization forward in a meaningful way (for example: by nurturing relationships; inspiring colleagues, clients, patients, or residents; and demonstrating a high level of integrity and compassion).
  • Lives out De dwa da dehs nye>s values of “taking care of each other amongst ourselves.”
  • Exceeds patient/participant expectations and/or engages in exemplary behavior, such as volunteerism or acts of heroism.

Community Partnership Award

Created in 2015, this award recognizes the significance of partnerships that further the vision, goals, and success of De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre.

It is awarded annually to an organization or community group which has helped achieve the goals of De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre through outstanding collaboration in support of urban Indigenous community members.

Eligibility Criteria

• An individual, organization, or community group that has shown an outstanding commitment to collaboration, resulting in service or support to the Indigenous community.
• The contribution should include specific collaboration in program or policy activities with community-based impact.
• The partnership:
  • brings Indigenous communities together in an innovative way and is cross-sectoral.
  • contributes to advancing health or health research, improving the health of the Indigenous community, developing more effective health services and products, or strengthening the Indigenous healthcare system(s).
  • demonstrates results that would not have been achieved by individual partners acting alone.
  • exhibits mutual trust, respect, and commitment, including positive communication and mechanisms for continuous improvement, and sharing credit among all partners for the partnership’s accomplishments; and
  • maximizes strengths and assets of each partner, ultimately strengthening all partner organizations.

Walter Cooke Wisdom Keeper Award

Created in 2015, this award recognizes the significant and continuous service to the Indigenous Community of an Individual who consistently demonstrates The Seven Grandfather Teachings, The Good Mind, and Traditional Ways of Knowing and Being.

It is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated the above values in their everyday life and their work for the people.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees should have demonstrated at least three of the following, over a period of years:

• Significant, remarkable, and continuous service to the Indigenous Community
• Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, Truth
• Integrity, generosity of spirit, and collaboration
• Has the willingness to share their Traditional knowledge freely and openly in a way that benefits and promotes healing the Indigenous community.
• Teaches and practices cultural and traditional values, customs, and knowledge
• Volunteers in community organizations and groups
• Promotes a healthy lifestyle
• Teach and interacts with youth.

Community Social Responsibility Award

Created in 2017, this award recognizes the contributions of an organization to support the increased quality of life of our local Indigenous community.

It is awarded to an organization or community group whose generosity and support the increase quality of life for our local Indigenous community.

Eligibility Criteria

• An individual, organization, or community group that has shown outstanding generosity, resulting in service or support to our Indigenous community.
• The contribution should include a specific impact in program or policy activities with community-based impact.
• The contributions should advance the quality of life of our local Indigenous Community.