Award Recipients

Starfish Spirit Award: Angela Naveau

Created in 2015, this award recognizes the caring spirit, commitment and dedication to making a significant impact in the quality of life of many individual 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 litter 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
  • 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 communityAn 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 contribution and positive impact on the culture of De dwa da dehs nye>s.
    • has moved the organization forward in a meaningful way (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 behaviour, such as volunteerism or acts of heroism.

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Past Recipients

  • Conrad Prince (2018)
  • Michelle Gentle (2017)
  • Elaine Lee (2016)
  • Marilyn Wright (2015)

Community Partnership Award: Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic

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, to improving the health of the Indigenous community, to developing more effective health services and products or to strengthening the Indigenous health-care 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 organization.

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Past Recipients

  • City of Hamilton (2018)
  • Hamilton Community Legal Clinic (2017)
  • CHOICES (2016)
  • Indigenous Health Network – formerly known as Aboriginal Health Network (2015)

Walter Cooke Wisdom Keeper Award: Dr. Janet Smylie

Created in 2015, this award recognizes the significant and continuous service to the Indigenous Community of an Individual whom 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 a willingness to freely and openly share their Traditional knowledge 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
  • Teaches and interacts with youth.

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Past Recipients

  • Stacey Laforme (2018)
  • Scottie (P.R.) Hill (2017)
  • Grandmother Renee Thomas-Hill (2016)
  • Walter Cooke (2015)

Community Social Responsibility Award: PVH and Save the Children

Created in 2017, this award recognizes the contributions of an organization to support the increase 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 an outstanding generosity, resulting in service or support to our Indigenous community;
  • The contribution should include specific impact in program or policy activities with community-based impact.
  • The contributions should advance the quality of life of our local Indigenous Community.

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Past Recipients

  • E.D. Smith (2017)