Canada’s first Indigenous female hockey Olympian an Indspire recipient
- EFN Staff | September 27, 2018
Olympic hockey player from the Cote First Nation is one of the recipients for the 2019 Indspire Awards. Brigette Lacquette became the first Indigenous athlete to play on Canada’s women’s Olympic hockey team this year.
Indspire made their announcement on September 25th where 12 outstanding Indigenous individuals will be honoured with the 2019 Indspire Awards.
“This year’s recipients have walked in two worlds” said Indspire President and CEO Roberta L. Jamieson in a media release. “They are an inspiration to their local communities and for Indigenous people across Canada, showing our young people that they can do it too.”
The Indspire Awards is a national recognition for role models from local communities and the recipients will receive the awards at a nationally-broadcast ceremony on February 22, 2019 to be held in Calgary, AB. The event will showcase performances by some of the many stars of Indigenous entertainment in Canada.
“We hope these stories inspire our youth to dream big,” said Jamieson. “Not only do we recognize and congratulate the recipients for their individual success, but we celebrate the impact their stories will have for generations to come. The stories will also educate Canadians about the great contributions our people have made to this country.”
Other recipients of the 2019 Indspire Awards are:
Atuat Akittirq, Aggu, Nunavut – an Inuit elder and Gemini award-winner. Akittirq is being honoured with the 2019 Indspire Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Barbara Todd Hager, St. Paul des Métis Settlement, Alberta – a documentary filmmaker, writer and producer.
Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson, Westbank First Nation, British Columbia – one of the most successful Indigenous businessmen in Canada.
Jijuu Mary Snowshoe, Gwich’in Nation, Northwest Territories – a traditional Gwich’in teacher who continues to live off the land.
Dr. Vianne Timmons, Mi’kmaq, Nova Scotia – an educator and university president.
Dr. Marlyn Cook, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Manitoba – one of the first Indigenous physicians in Canada.
Dianne Corbiere, M’Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario – the first Indigenous lawyer named as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.
Peter Dinsdale, Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario – the President & CEO of YMCA Canada.
Billy-Ray Belcourt, Driftpile Cree Nation, Alberta – an award-winning poet and published author.
Kelly Fraser, Sanikiluaq, Nunavut – a Juno-nominated pop musician.
James Lavallée, Métis Homeland (St. Vital, St. Boniface, Bissett), Manitoba – a canoe and kayak athlete who has competed at the international level.