The Indspire Awards, until 2012 the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, are annual awards presented by

Indspire Indspire, formerly known as the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF), is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and c ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

. The awards are intended to celebrate and encourage excellence in the Aboriginal community.

About

The awards were first established in 1993, and presented in 1994, in conjunction with the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...

declared International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The awards are intended to celebrate and encourage excellence in the Indigenous community. Awards may be presented in a variety of categories, depending on the particular achievements of Aboriginal people in the nominating period — 14 awards are presented each year including one for Lifetime Achievement and three special Youth Awards, one each for

First Nations First Nations or first peoples may refer to: * Indigenous peoples, for ethnic groups who are the earliest known inhabitants of an area. Indigenous groups *First Nations is commonly used to describe some Indigenous groups including: **First Natio ...

Inuit Inuit (; iu, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ 'the people', singular: Inuk, , dual: Inuuk, ) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic and subarctic regions of Greenland, Labrador, Quebec, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories ...

and

Métis The Métis ( ; Canadian ) are Indigenous peoples who inhabit Canada's three Prairie Provinces, as well as parts of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Northern United States. They have a shared history and culture which derives ...

, that comes with a cash prize of $10,000 and 10 career categories with not all individual career categories necessarily presented annually. To be eligible an individual must be of either First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage. Additionally they must demonstrate outstanding career achievement, and be a permanent Canadian resident or be Canadian born. The awards are broadcast annually on the

Global Television Network The Global Television Network (more commonly called Global, or occasionally Global TV) is a Canadian English-language terrestrial television network. It is currently Canada's second most-watched private terrestrial television network after ...

and the

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN, stylized aptn) is a Canadian specialty channel. Established in 1992 and maintained by governmental funding to broadcast in Canada's northern territories, APTN acquired a national broadcast lice ...

(APTN). Since 1985 Indspire through its Education Program has awarded more than $87-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 25,00 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide.

Award categories

The award categories are: *Arts *Business and Commerce *Culture, Heritage and Spirituality *Education *Environment and Natural Resources *Health *Law and Justice *Politics *Public Service *Sports *Lifetime Achievement Award *Youth Award, First Nation *Youth Award, Inuit *Youth Award, Métis

Eligibility criteria

Individuals of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ancestry who have reached a significant level of achievement in their respective occupations are eligible for nomination. Any person may nominate a candidate they deem to be worthy of this recognition with reference to the following criteria: * Of First Nations, Inuit or Métis heritage * Who demonstrate outstanding career achievement * Of any age with the exception of the youth category * Permanent Canadian resident or Canadian born * Youth achiever nominees must be 15–27 years of age

Indspire Awards recipients

Each year 14 recipients are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in various disciplines ranging from health, law, political science, culture, arts, and others, two of which are specific recognition to one outstanding youth achiever and one lifetime achievement recipient. The awards are recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the highest honours the community can bestow upon its own achievers.

1994

* William Lyall, Business *

Jean Cuthand Goodwill Jean Cuthand Goodwill OC (1928 – August 25, 1997) was a Canadian Cree nurse who, in 1954, became Saskatchewan's first Aboriginal woman to finish a nursing program. Biography Goodwill grew up on the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan; she ...

, Community Service *

Verna Kirkness Verna Jane Kirkness, (born 1935 in Fisher River Cree Nation, Manitoba) is a Cree scholar, pioneer and lifelong proponent of indigenous language, culture and education who has been influential in Canadian indigenous education policy and practice. ...

, Education *Cindy Kenny-Gilday, Environment *

Alanis Obomsawin Alanis Obomsawin, (born August 31, 1932) is an Abenaki American Canadian filmmaker, singer, artist, and activist primarily known for her documentary films. Born in New Hampshire, United States and raised primarily in Quebec, Canada, she has writ ...

, Film *

Murray Sinclair Calvin Murray Sinclair, (born Mizanay (Mizhana) Gheezhik; January 24, 1951) is a former member of the Canadian Senate and First Nations in Canada, First Nations lawyer who served as chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada), ...

, Justice *

Bill Reid William Ronald Reid Jr. (12 January 1920 – 13 March 1998) ( Haida) was a Canadian artist whose works include jewelry, sculpture, screen-printing, and paintings. Producing over one thousand original works during his fifty-year career, Reid is ...

, Lifetime Achievement *

Susan Aglukark Susan Aglukark, (Inuktitut syllabics: ᓲᓴᓐ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ ''suusan agluukkaq''), (born 27 January 1967) is a Canadian singer whose blend of Inuit folk music traditions with country and pop songwriting has made her a major recording s ...

, Performance * Thelma Chalifoux, Public Service *

Nellie Cournoyea Nellie Cournoyea (born March 4, 1940 in Aklavik, Northwest Territories) is a Canadian politician, who served as the sixth premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995. She was the first female premier of a Canadian territory and the sec ...

, Public Service * Rosemarie Kuptana, Public Service *Art Solomon, Spiritual Leadership *

Ted Nolan Theodore John Nolan (born April 7, 1958) is a Canadian former professional hockey left winger, former head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and Latvia men's national ice hockey team. From July 2017 until May 2018 he was head coach of the Poland men' ...

, Sports

1995

Douglas Cardinal Douglas Joseph Cardinal (born 7 March 1934) is a Canadian architect based in Ottawa, Ontario. His flowing architecture marked with smooth curvilinear forms is influenced by his Indigenous heritage as well as European Expressionist architecture.< ...

, Architecture * Robert Davidson, Arts and Culture *Frank Hansen, Business and Culture *Louis Stevenson, Community Development *

Ernest Benedict Ernest M. Kaientaronkwen Benedict (July 14, 1918 – January 8, 2011) was an educator, activist, and chief of the Mohawk Council. Early life Benedict was born on 14 July 1918 to Charles and Julia Jandreau Benedict, members of the Mohawk Nat ...

, Education *

Marie Smallface Marule Marie Smallface Marule (Isstoikamo¹saakii, 1944 – December 31, 2014) was a Canadian academic administrator, activist, and educator. She served as executive director of the National Indian Brotherhood (NIB), chief administrator of the World ...

, Education *Ahab Spence, Education *

Matthew Coon Come Matthew Coon Come (born April 13, 1956) is a Canadian politician and activist of Cree descent. He was National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 2000 to 2003. Born near Mistissini, Quebec, Coon Come was first educated at LaTuque Ind ...

, Environment and Public Service *Maggie Hodgson, Health Services *

Alfred Scow Alfred John Scow (born April 10, 1927, in Alert Bay, British Columbia, died Feb 26, 2013)

, Law and Justice *

Kenojuak Ashevak Kenojuak Ashevak, (Inuktitut: ᕿᓐᓄᐊᔪᐊᖅ ᐋᓯᕙᒃ, Qinnuajuaq Aasivak), (October 3, 1927 – January 8, 2013) is celebrated as a leading figure of modern Inuit art. Early life and family Kenojuak Ashevak was born in an igloo ...

, Lifetime Achievement *Noah Carpenter, Medicine *Sharla Tiakohatéhkwen Howard, Special Youth *

Angela Chalmers Angela Chalmers (born September 6, 1963) is a Canadian retired track and field athlete who competed in the 1500 metres and 3000 metres. She is the 1992 Olympic bronze medallist in the 3000 metres, and a three-time Commonwealth gold medallist, wi ...

, Sports

1996

Maria Campbell Maria Campbell (born April 26, 1940 near Park Valley, Saskatchewan) is a Métis author, playwright, broadcaster, filmmaker, and Elder. Campbell is a fluent speaker of four languages: Cree, Michif, Western Ojibwa, and English. Four of her publis ...

, Arts * Tom Jackson, Arts *Rose Auger, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *James Watson Walkus, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Marlene Brant Castellano, Education *

Mary Simon Mary Jeannie May Simon (in Inuktitut syllabics: ᒥᐊᓕ ᓴᐃᒪᓐ, iu, script=Latn, Ningiukudluk; born August 21, 1947) is a Canadian civil servant, diplomat, and former broadcaster who has served as the 30th governor general of Canada ...

, Environment and Natural Resources *

Frank Arthur Calder Frank Arthur Calder, (August 3, 1915 – November 4, 2006) was a Nisga'a politician in Canada. Born in Nass Harbour, British Columbia, Calder was the first indigenous person to graduate from the Anglican Theological College of the Unive ...

, Lifetime Achievement * Yvon Dumont, Public Service *

Phil Fontaine Larry Phillip Fontaine, (born September 20, 1944) is an Indigenous Canadian leader. He completed his third and final term as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 2009. Early life Fontaine, an Ojibwe, was born at the Sagkeeng Firs ...

, Public Service *

Elijah Harper Elijah Harper (March 3, 1949 – May 17, 2013) was a Canadian Oji-Cree politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (MLA) from 1981 to 1992 and a member of Parliament (MP) from 1993 to 1997. Harper was elected chie ...

, Public Service *Albert Charles Rock, Science and Technology *Robert E. Johnson Jr., Special Youth * Alwyn Morris, Sports *

Mary Two-Axe Earley Mary Two-Axe Earley (born Mary Two-Axe; October 4, 1911 – August 21, 1996) was a Mohawk and Oneida women's rights activist from the reserve of Kahnawake in Quebec, Canada. After losing her legal Indian status due to marrying a non-status man ...

, Women's Rights

1997

* Kiawak Ashoona, Arts *

Gil Cardinal Gilbert Joseph "Gil" Cardinal (July 19, 1950 – November 21, 2015) was a Canadian filmmaker of Métis descent. Born in Edmonton in 1950, and placed in a foster home at the age of two, Cardinal only discovered his Métis roots while making his d ...

, Arts *

Graham Greene Henry Graham Greene (2 October 1904 – 3 April 1991) was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading English novelists of the 20th century. Combining literary acclaim with widespread popularity, Greene acquir ...

, Arts *

Rita Joe Rita Joe, (born Rita Bernard; March 15, 1932 – March 20, 2007) was a Mi'kmaq poet and songwriter, often referred to as the Poet Laureate of the Mi'kmaq people. Biography Rita was born March 15, 1932 in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton Island, N ...

, Arts *

Billy Diamond Billy Diamond (May 19, 1949 – September 30, 2010) was the Chief of the Waskaganish, Quebec Cree from 1970 to 1976, the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees from 1974 to 1984, and a successful businessman who founded Air Creebec. Diamond ...

, Business & Commerce *

Charlie Watt Charlie Watt (born June 29, 1944) is a former Canadian Senator from Nunavik, Quebec. A hunter and businessman by profession, Watt is an Inuk and served as Northern officer with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs from 1969 to 197 ...

, Community Development * Stanley John McKay, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Martin Gale McLoughlin, Health *Chester R. Cunningham, Law & Justice * Harry S. LaForme, Law & Justice *

Olive Dickason Olive Patricia Dickason (1920–2011) was a Métis historian and journalist. She was the first scholar in Canada to receive a PHD in Indigenous history. She is known for writing one of the first textbooks about First Nations in Canada, ''Canada's ...

, Lifetime Achievement *

Stephen Kakfwi Stephen Kakfwi (born 1950 in Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories) is a Canadian politician, who was the ninth premier of the Northwest Territories. His sixteen-year tenure in the cabinet of the Northwest Territories is the longest in the Territo ...

, Public Service *George Berthe, Special Youth *

Darren Zack Darren Zack (born 1960 in Garden River, Ontario, Canada), also known by his nickname "Z-MAN" is a fastpitch softball player.Chiefs and Champions Darren Zack'' (2006). Vancouver, BC : Moving Images Distribution Zack is an Ojibwa softball player and ...

, Sports

1998

Tantoo Cardinal Tantoo Cardinal CM (born Rose Marie Cardinal; July 20, 1950) is a Canadian actress of Cree and Métis heritage. In 2009, she was made a member of the Order of Canada "for her contributions to the growth and development of Aboriginal performing ar ...

, Arts * Daphne Odjig, Arts *

Tagak Curley Tagak Curley (born 1944) is an Inuit leader, politician and businessman from Nunavut. As a prominent figure in the negotiations that led to the creation of Nunavut, Tagak is considered a living father of confederation in Canada. He was born i ...

, Business & Commerce *Abel Bosum, Community Development *Emily Jane Faries, Education *

Cornelia Wieman Cornelia Gertrude nel Wieman (born 1964) (Anishinaabe) is a Canadian psychiatrist. She is the first Indigenous woman to become a psychiatrist in Canada and the First Nations Health Authority deputy Chief Medical Officer. Early life and education ...

, Health *Joe Crowshoe, Heritage and Spirituality *

Roberta Jamieson Roberta L. Jamieson, OC is a Canadian lawyer and First Nations activist. She was the first Indigenous woman ever to earn a law degree in Canada, the first non-Parliamentarian to be appointed an ''ex officio'' member of a House of Commons committe ...

, Law & Justice *

Buffy Sainte-Marie Buffy Sainte-Marie, (born Beverly Sainte-Marie, February 20, 1941) is an Indigenous Canadian-American ( Piapot Cree Nation) singer-songwriter, musician, composer, visual artist, educator, pacifist, and social activist. While working in these ...

, Lifetime Achievement *

John Amagoalik John Amagoalik (born November 26, 1947) is an Inuit politician from Nunavik (Québec). He campaigned for Inuit rights and made a significant contribution to the founding of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. He was Chairman of the Nunavut Implemen ...

, Public Service *

Georges Erasmus Georges Henry Erasmus, OC (born August 8, 1948 in Behchoko, Northwest Territories) is a Canadian politician. He was the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 1985 to 1991. Erasmus was born in a Dene community of the Northwest ...

, Public Service *Dan E. Goodleaf, Public Service *Wade R. Cachagee, Special Youth *

Bryan Trottier Bryan John Trottier (born July 17, 1956) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the ...

, Sports

1999

Dorothy Grant Dorothy Grant is an Indigenous fashion designer whose works have gained public recognition as expressions of living Haida culture. Biography Early life Grant was born in Hydaburg, Alaska, but was raised in Ketchikan. She is a Kaigani Haida ...

, Business & Commerce *David Gabriel Tuccaro, Business & Commerce *Dorothy Betz, Community Development *Theresa Stevenson, Community Development * Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Howard Adams Howard Adams (September 8, 1921 – September 8, 2001) was a twentieth century Metis academic and activist. Life He was born in St. Louis, Saskatchewan, Canada, on September 8, 1921, the son of Olive Elizabeth McDougall, a French Métis mot ...

, Education *Malcolm King, Health *Edward Kantonkote Cree, Health *James Igloliorte, Law & Justice * Rose Toodick Boyko, Law & Justice *

Allen Sapp Allen Sapp (January 2, 1928 – December 29, 2015) was a Canadian Cree painter, who resided in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His art and his story have become known throughout Canada. His paintings tell a personal story, and many feature image ...

, Lifetime Achievement *

James Bartleman James Karl Bartleman (born 24 December 1939) is a former Canadian diplomat and author who served as the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 2002 to 2007. Bartleman grew up in the Muskoka town of Port Carling, and he is a member of the ...

, Public Service *

Lillian Dyck Lillian Eva Quan Dyck, (born August 24, 1945) is a retired Canadian senator from Saskatchewan. A member of the Cree Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan, and a first generation Chinese Canadian, she is the first female First Nations senator an ...

, Science *‘Alika LaFontaine, Youth

2000

*Art Thompson, Arts *John Charles Bernard, Business & Commerce *Roy Albert Whitney, Business & Commerce *Paul J. Birckel, Community Development *Simon Baker, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Edith Josie Edith Josie (December 8, 1921 – January 31, 2010)Jo-Ann Archibald, Education *Miles G. Richardson, Environment and Natural Resources *Fjola Hart-Wasekeesikaw, Health * Steven Point, Law & Justice * Joseph Arthur Gosnell, Lifetime Achievement *Leetia Ineak, Media & Communication * Konrad Haskan Sioui, Public Service *

Waneek Horn-Miller Waneek Horn-Miller (born November 30, 1975) is a Canadian water polo player from the Kahnawake Mohwak Territory. She was a member of the Canadian women's water polo team that won a gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. Horn-Mill ...

, Special Youth

2001

Tomson Highway Tomson Highway (born 6 December 1951) is an Indigenous Canadian playwright, novelist, and children's author. He is best known for his plays ''The Rez Sisters'' and ''Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing'', both of which won the Dora Mavor Moore ...

, Arts *Dolly Watts, Business & Commerce *Fred House, Community Development *Mariano Aupilardjuk, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Freda Ahenakew Freda Ahenakew (February 11, 1932 – April 8, 2011) was a Canadian author and academic of Cree descent. Ahenakew was considered a leader in Indigenous language preservation and literary heritage preservation in Canada. She was a sister-in-la ...

, Education *Mary Thomas, Environment and Natural Resources *Lindsay Crowshoe, Health *

Harold Cardinal Harold Cardinal (January 27, 1945 – June 3, 2005) was a Cree writer, political leader, teacher, negotiator, and lawyer. Throughout his career he advocated, on behalf of all First Nation peoples, for the right to be "the red tile in the Can ...

, Lifetime Achievement *

Roman Bittman Roman Norbert Bittman (June 5, 1941 - November 7, 2017) was a Canadian film and television producer, most noted as a longtime producer of news and current affairs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Born in Fort Vermilion, Alberta to a Germ ...

, Media & Communication *

Zacharias Kunuk Zacharias Kunuk ( iu, ᓴᖅᑲᓕᐊᓯ ᑯᓄᒃ, born November 27, 1957) is a Canadian Inuk producer and director most notable for his film '' Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner'', the first Canadian dramatic feature film produced entirely in Inu ...

, Media & Communication *

Leonard Marchand Leonard Stephen "Len" Marchand, (November 16, 1933 – June 3, 2016) was a Canadian politician. He was the first person of First Nations status to serve in the federal cabinet, after being the first Status Indian elected and serving as a Memb ...

, Public Service *

Richard Nerysoo Richard Nerysoo (born 1953) is a territorial level politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada. He was a member of the Northwest Territories Legislature from 1979 to 1995 and served as the third premier of the Northwest Territories and S ...

, Public Service *

Nick Sibbeston Nick G. Sibbeston (born November 21, 1943) is a Canadian retired politician, serving from 1985 to 1987 as the fourth premier of the Northwest Territories. Sibbeston was a Senator representing the Northwest Territories from 1999 until 2017, when ...

, Public Service *Lance Relland, Special Youth

2002

*Ohito Ashoona, Arts *

Freda Diesing Freda Diesing (2 June 1925 – 4 December 2002) was a Haida woman of the Sadsugohilanes Clan, one of very few female carvers of Northwest Coast totem poles and a member of the Council of the Haida Nation of British Columbia, Canada. Her Haid ...

, Arts *Harry Deneron, Business & Commerce *Leonard (Len) G. Flett, Business & Commerce *George Kurszewski, Community Development *

Noel Knockwood Noel Knockwood, (1932-2014) a Canadian first nations leader and Mi'kmaq Grand Council member since 1975, was a spiritual leader of the Mi'kmaq People. Early life Knockwood was born in 1932.

, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Roy Fox, Energy *Gilles Pinette, Health *

Alex Janvier Alex Simeon Janvier, LL.D (; born February 28, 1935) is a First Nation artist in Canada. As a member of the commonly referred to " Indian Group of Seven", Janvier is a pioneer of contemporary Canadian Aboriginal art in Canada. Career Alex Janv ...

, Lifetime Achievement * Gail Guthrie Valaskakis, Media & Communication *Jonah Kelly, Media & Communication * Joseph Tokwiro Norton, Public Service *

Jordin Tootoo Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo (; born February 2, 1983) is a Canadian former professional hockey player, who played for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks. Of Inuit, Ukrainian and English descent, h ...

, Special Youth *

Michael Nepinak Michael Nepinak (born May 3, 1953) was a Canadian track and field athlete (triple jump) and is a member of the Pine Creek First Nation. He excelled in his sport while attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1978 h ...

, Sports

2003

John Arcand Jean Baptiste "John" Arcand, (born July 19, 1942 in Jackson Lake, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian fiddler, composer, teacher, and luthier. Arcand has been composing and performing since childhood, having learned the traditional Red River Métis t ...

, Arts * Tom King, Arts *Mel E. Benson, Business & Commerce *Gary Bosgoed, Business & Commerce * Mary Richard, Community Development *Charles Edward Lennie, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Leroy Little Bear Leroy Little Bear is a Blackfoot researcher, professor emeritus at the University of Lethbridge, founding member of Canada's first Native American Studies Department, and recognized leader and advocate for First Nations education, rights, self-gove ...

, Education *Simon Lucas, Environment and Natural Resources *Judith Bartlett, Health *Jay Wortman, Health *John J. Borrows, Law & Justice *

Robbie Robertson Jaime Royal "Robbie" Robertson, OC (born July 5, 1943), is a Canadian musician. He is best known for his work as lead guitarist and songwriter for the Band, and for his career as a solo recording artist. With the deaths of Richard Manuel in ...

, Lifetime Achievement * Sophie Pierre, Public Service *Matthew Dunn, Special Youth

2004

Tina Keeper Tina Keeper, OM (born March 20, 1962) is a Cree actress, film producer and former politician from Canada.

, Arts *

Susan Point Susan Point (born 1952) is a Musqueam Coast Salish artist from Canada, who works in the Coast Salish tradition. Her sculpture, prints and public art works include pieces installed at the Vancouver International Airport, the National Museum of ...

, Arts * Osuitok Ipeelee, Arts *

Clarence Louie Clarence Louie is a Canadian First Nations leader and businessman. Louie has been the chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia's Okanagan for ten terms, the first beginning in 1985. He has been credited with contributing to the econo ...

, Business & Commerce *

Basil Johnston Basil H. Johnston (13 July 1929 – 8 September 2015) was a Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) and Canadian writer, storyteller, language teacher and scholar. Biography Johnston was born July 13, 1929 on the Parry Island Indian Reserve to Rufus and Mary (n ...

, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Carl Urion, Education *

Sheila Watt-Cloutier Sheila Watt-Cloutier (born 2 December 1953) is a Canadian Inuk activist. She has been a political representative for Inuit at the regional, national and international levels, most recently as International Chair for the Inuit Circumpolar Counc ...

, Environment and Natural Resources * Stanley Vollant, Health *Muriel Stanley Venne, Law & Justice *Andrew T. Delisle Sr., Lifetime Achievement *

Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, (March 10, 1935 – March 4, 2006) was a Canadian Métis business woman. Biography Born in Sainte-Adèle, Quebec, she was the first aboriginal person in Canada to own and operate a private commercial radio station, W ...

, Media & Communication *

Pearl Calahasen Pearl Calahasen (born December 5, 1952) is a Canadians, Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district (Canada), electoral district of Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district), Lesser Slave Lake in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta ...

, Public Service *Lee Wilson, Science and Technology *Kristinn Frederickson, Special Youth

2005

*Joe Jacobs, Arts *

Gerald McMaster Gerald Raymond McMaster (born 9 March 1953, in North Battleford) is a curator, artist, and author and a Plains Cree member of the Siksika Nation.Abbot, LarryGerald McMaster: Plains Cree.''A Time of Visions.'' (retrieved 20 Nov 2009) McMaster is ...

, Arts *Douglas Golosky, Business & Commerce * Judy Gingell, Community Development *John Joe Sark, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality * Eber Hampton, Education * Emma LaRocque, Education *Andy Carpenter Sr., Environment and Natural Resources *Thomas Dignan, Health * Bertha Allen, Lifetime Achievement *Brenda Chambers, Media & Communication *Lolly Annahatak, Social Services *Fauna Kingdon, Special Youth * Sharon Anne Firth, Sports

2006

* Jane Ash Poitras, Arts *Bernd Christmas, Business & Commerce *

Wendy Grant-John Wendy Grant-John, née Wendy Sparrow, is a prominent First Nations leader in British Columbia. She served three terms as chief of the Musqueam First Nation and was the first woman elected regional vice-chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Earl ...

, Community Development *Gladys Taylor Cook, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality * Taiaiake (Gerald) Alfred, Education *Billy Day, Environment and Natural Resources *Herb Belcourt, Housing *

James (Sakej) Youngblood Henderson James is a common English language surname and given name: *James (name), the typically masculine first name James * James (surname), various people with the last name James James or James City may also refer to: People * King James (disambiguati ...

, Law & Justice * Jim Sinclair, Lifetime Achievement *Myra Cree, Media & Communication *

George Tuccaro George Tuccaro (born May 12, 1950) was the commissioner of the Northwest Territories. He served in that position from May 12, 2010 until May 10, 2016. Biography George Tuccaro was born on May 12, 1950, in northern Alberta. A member of the Mikis ...

, Media & Communication * Tony Belcourt, Public Service *Andrea Dykstra, Special Youth * Shirley Firth Larsson, Sports

2007

Joane Cardinal-Schubert Joane Cardinal-Schubert LL. D (Kainai, 1942–2009) was a First Nations artist from Alberta, Canada. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. She was an activist for Native sovereignty. Early life Cardinal-Schubert was born in 194 ...

, Arts *

Jack Poole John Wilson "Jack" Poole, (April 14, 1933 – October 23, 2009) was a Canadian businessman who, as the head of the VANOC bid committee, was responsible for bringing the 2010 Winter Olympics to Canada. He died of pancreatic cancer shortly afte ...

, Business & Commerce *Alestine Andre, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Joe Michel, Education *David Walkem, Environment and Natural Resources *Joseph Couture, Health *Hugh Braker, Law & Justice *Bertha Clark Jones, Lifetime Achievement *Lisa Meeches, Media & Communication *Fred Carmichael, Politics *Lewis Cardinal, Public Service *

James Makokis James Makokis (born 1981 or 1982) is a Saddle Lake Cree Nation Physician, doctor. Career Makokis operates a clinic in the Enoch Cree Nation 135 serving the Kehewin and Enoch Cree Nations,Jonathan Charlton, Alberta doctor wants to bridge Cree and ...

, Special Youth * Wegadesk Gorup-Paul, Sports *Monica Peters, Technology & Trades

2008

Shirley Cheechoo Shirley Cheechoo ( cr, ᔒᓕᒋᒍ born 1952) is a Canadian Cree actress, writer, producer, director, and visual artist, best known for her solo-voice or monodrama play '' Path With No Moccasins'', as well as her work with De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig th ...

, Arts *Jim Boucher, Business & Commerce *Hubert Skye, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality * Marie Ann Battiste, Education *Elizabeth (Tshaukuesh) Penashue, Environment and Natural Resources *Jeff Reading, Health *David C. Nahwegahbow, Law & Justice *

Norval Morrisseau Norval Morrisseau (March 14, 1932 – December 4, 2007), also known as Copper Thunderbird, was an Indigenous Canadian artist from the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation. Known as the "Picasso of the North", Morrisseau created works depi ...

, Lifetime Achievement *Paul Andrew, Media & Communication *

Joe Handley Joseph "Joe" L. Handley, MLA (born August 9, 1943), is a former teacher, politician and civil servant and was the tenth premier of the Northwest Territories. Early life Handley was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan in 1943. Prior to moving to ...

, Politics *Sylvia B. Maracle, Public Service *Boyd Wesley Benjamin, Special Youth *

Reggie Leach Reginald Joseph Leach (born April 23, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit Red ...

, Sports

2009

*Melanie Jackson, Arts *Dennis Jackson, Arts *Allan C. McLeod, Business & Commerce *Stephen J. Augustine, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Cecil King, Education *Gordon W. Prest, Environment and Natural Resources *Candace Grier-Lowe, Health *

Delia Opekokew Delia Opekokew is a Cree lawyer and writer from the Canoe Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. She was the first First Nations woman lawyer to ever be admitted to the bar association in Ontario and in Saskatchewan,

, Law & Justice *Stan Cuthand, Lifetime Achievement * Carol Morin, Media & Communication *

Paul Okalik Paul Okalik ( iu, ᐹᓪ ᐅᑲᓕᖅ, ; born May 26, 1964) is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk to have been called to the Nunavut Bar. He was also the first premier of Nunavut. On November 4, 2010, he was elected Speaker of the Leg ...

, Politics *Joan Glode, Public Service *Chelsea Lavallée, Special Youth *

Adam Sioui Adam Carter Sioui (born May 10, 1982) is a former competition swimmer who represented Canada in international events. He was a butterfly and freestyle specialist and was the Canadian national record-holder in the 200-metre butterfly. Early yea ...

, Sports *Mervin J. Dewasha, Technology & Trades

2010

Kananginak Pootoogook Kananginak Pootoogook (1 January 1935 – 23 November 2010) was an Inuk sculptor and printmaker who lived in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, in Canada. He died as a result of complications related to surgery for lung cancer. Biography Pootoogook was bo ...

, Arts *Ellen Melcosky, Business & Commerce *Tom Crane Bear, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Raoul J. McKay, Education *Danny Beaton, Environment and Natural Resources * Madeleine Kētēskwew Dion Stout, Health *Donald Worme, Law & Justice * William Commanda, Lifetime *Kenneth Atsenhaienton Deer, Media & Communication * Eric Robinson, Politics *Edith Cloutier, Public Service *Skawenniio Barnes, Special Youth *

Monica Pinette Monica Pinette (born February 5, 1977) is a two-time Olympic modern pentathlete from Canada. She is one of the first female Canadian modern pentathletes, and the only indigenous athlete of (Métis) to compete at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athen ...

, Sports *Doug Henry, Technology & Trades

2011

* Corrine Hunt, Arts *Joseph F. Dion, Business & Commerce *Paingut Annie Peterloosie, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Margo L. Greenwood, Education *Ronald Edward Sparrow, Environment & Natural Resources *Marcia Anderson DeCoteau, Health *Roger Jones, Law & Justice *Lillian McGregor, Lifetime *Jean LaRose, Media & Communications *

Audrey Poitras Audrey Mae Poitras ( née Audrey Mae Dumont; born 1950) has served as president of the Métis Nation of Alberta since 1996, the first female in that position. She also serves as vice-president on the Canadian Métis National Council and joined th ...

, Politics *

Cindy Blackstock Cindy Blackstock is a Canadian Gitxsan activist for child welfare and executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. She is also a professor for the School of Social Work at McGill University. Early life an ...

, Public Service *Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant, Special Youth * Frederick G. Sasakamoose, Sports *Duncan Cree, Technology & Trades

2012

Adam Beach Adam Beach (born November 11, 1972) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his roles as Victor Joseph in ''Smoke Signals'', Frank Fencepost in ''Dance Me Outside'', Tommy on ''Walker, Texas Ranger'', Kickin' Wing in ''Joe Dirt'', U.S. Marine C ...

, Arts *Victor S. Buffalo, Business & Commerce *Dave Courchene, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Leona Makokis, Education *Richard Stewart Hardy, Environment & Natural Resources *Janet Smylie, Health *Violet Ford, Law & Justice *

Gerry St. Germain Gerry St. Germain (born November 6, 1937) is a former Canadian politician. St. Germain served as a Conservative senator for British Columbia and previously served as a Member of Parliament. Early life and career Born in Manitoba of Metis ...

, Lifetime *

Richard Wagamese Richard Wagamese (October 14, 1955 – March 10, 2017) was an Ojibwe Canadian author and journalist from the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations in Northwestern Ontario."Indian Horse is a dark ride". '' Calgary Herald'', February 28, 2012. He was be ...

, Media & Communications *

Leona Aglukkaq Leona Aglukkaq (Inuktitut syllabics: ᓕᐅᓇ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ; born June 28, 1967) is a Canadian politician. She was a member of the non-partisan Legislative Assembly of Nunavut representing the riding of Nattilik from 2004 until stepping ...

, Politics *

Edward John Edward John (born July 8, 1949) is a prominent First Nations political leader in Canada. Early life The son of Louis and Amelia John, he was born in the Carrier village of Tachie, along the north shore of Stuart Lake, about 60 km from ...

, Politics *Minnie Grey, Public Service *

Richard Peter Richard Peter (10 May 1895 – 3 October 1977) was a German press photographer and photojournalist. He is best known for his photographs of Dresden just after the end of the Second World War. Life Richard Peter was born and raised in Klein Je ...

, Sports *Earl Cook, Youth *Candace Sutherland, Youth

2013

* Jacqueline Guest, Arts *Charlie Evalik, Business & Commerce * Winston Wuttunee Culture, Heritage & Spirituality * Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Education *Lloyd (Sonny) Flett, Environment & Natural Resources *Ruby Jacobs, Health *Viola Robinson, Law & Justice *Alex Van Bibber, Lifetime Achievement *Duane Smith, Politics *Gail Cyr, Public Service *

Theoren Fleury Theoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury (born June 29, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, author, and motivational speaker. Fleury played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks of the ...

, Sports *Gabrielle Scrimshaw, Youth First Nation *Elizabeth Zarpa, Youth Inuit *Graham Kotowich, Youth Métis

2014

Kent Monkman Kent Monkman (born 13 November 1965) is a Canadian First Nations artist of Cree ancestry. He is a member of the Fisher River band situated in Manitoba's Interlake Region. He is both a visual as well as performance artist, working in a variety ...

, Arts *Marie Yvonne Delorme, Business & Commerce *Maggie Paul, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Rita Bouvier, Education *Charlie Snowshoe, Environment & Natural Resources * Evan Tlesla II Adams, Health *

Marion Meadmore Marion may refer to: People *Marion (given name) *Marion (surname) *Marion Silva Fernandes, Brazilian footballer known simply as "Marion" *Marion (singer), Filipino singer-songwriter and pianist Marion Aunor (born 1992) Places Antarctica * Mario ...

, Law & Justice *James Eetoolook, Lifetime Achievement *Stewart Philip, Politics *Robert Watts, Public Service * Mary Spencer, Sports *John Nicholas Jeddore, Youth First Nation *Sarah Arngna’naaq, Youth Inuit *Christie Lavallée, Youth Métis *Kristinn Frederickson, Youth Special

2015

*Ron E. Scott, Arts *Brenda La Rose, Business and Commerce *

Peter Irniq Piita Taqtu Irniq, formerly Peter Irniq, (born February 1, 1947) is an Inuk politician in Canada, who served as the second commissioner of Nunavut from April 2000 to April 2005. Biography Born in Lyon Inlet near Repulse Bay, Northwest Territ ...

, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Paulette C. Tremblay, Education *Gerald Anderson, Environment and Natural Resources *William Julius Mussell, Health *

Wilton Littlechild J. Wilton Littlechild (born 1944), known as Willie Littlechild, is a Canadian lawyer and Cree chief who was Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and a member of Parliament (Canada), member of Parliament. A Canadian Indian ...

, Law and Justice *Elsie Yanik, Lifetime Achievement *Kim Baird, Politics * Madeleine Redfern, Public Service *

Gino Odjick Wayne Gino Odjick (September 7, 1970 – January 15, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1990 to 2002 for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Philadelph ...

, Sports *Jordan Konek, Youth *Kendal Netmaker, Youth *Gabrielle Fayant, Youth Métis

2016

Joseph Boyden Joseph Boyden (born October 31, 1966) is a Canadian novelist and short story writer of Irish and Scottish descent. He also claims Indigenous descent, but this is widely disputed. Joseph Boyden is best known for writing about First Nations culture ...

, Arts *Clint Davis, Business and Commerce *Jim Ochiese, Culture, Heritage, & Spirituality *Mae Louise Campbell, Culture, Heritage, & Spirituality *

Jo-Ann Episkenew Jo-Ann Episkenew (19 August 1952 – 18 February 2016) was a Métis writer originally from Manitoba, though she lived in Saskatchewan for much of her life. She held a Master of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration and a Hono ...

, Education *Pat Mandy, Health *Mark L’Hirondelle Stevenson, Law and Justice *Robert Joseph, Lifetime Achievement * Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell, Politics * Leonard George, Public Service *

Carey Price Carey Price (born August 16, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is considered to be one of the best goaltenders in the world by many colleagues, fans, ''The ...

, Sports *Christian Kowalchuk, Youth Recipient *Killulark (Laura) Arngna’naaq, Youth Recipient *Zondra Roy, Youth Recipient

2017

*Cece Hodgson-McCauley, Politics * Doreen Spence, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Duncan McCue Duncan McCue is a Canadian television and radio journalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He is Anishinaabe (Ojibway), from Ontario, a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. A longtime reporter for CBC Television's ' ...

, Public Service *Heather Kashman, Sports *Jan Kahehti:io Longboat, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Josh Butcher, Youth *Kimberly R. Murray BA, LL.B, IPC, Law & Justice *Maatalii Okalik, Youth *Nathan Matthew, Education *Phillip “Jerry” Asp, Business & Commerce *Senator

, Lifetime Achievement *Tekatsi:tsia’kwa Katsi Cook, Health *Thomas Dymond, Youth

2018

Ashley Callingbull Ashley Callingbull (born October 21, 1989) is a Canadian model, actress, and television personality. She became the first Canadian and Indigenous woman to win the Mrs. Universe title on 29 August 2015. She and her stepfather participated in the ...

, Youth - First Nation Recipient *Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk, Youth - Inuit Recipient *Dr. Evelyn Voyageur, Health *Dr.

Gloria Cranmer Webster Gloria Cranmer Webster (born July 4, 1931) is a Canadian First Nations activist, museum curator and writer of Kwakwaka'wakw descent. Biography The daughter of Dan Cranmer, a chief of the Kwakwaka'wakw, she was born Gloria Cranmer in Alert Bay, B ...

, Lifetime Achievement *Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams, Education *Dr. Mike DeGagné, Public Service * Greg Hill, Arts *Kye7e Cecilia Dick DeRose, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Michael Linklater Michael Linklater (born September 25, 1982) is a Canadian basketball player. He plays for the Saskatchewan Rattlers. He is a Nehiyaw (Cree). Linklater is the recipient of the 2018 Tom Longboat Award, which recognizes Aboriginal athletes "for the ...

, Sports *Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, Business & Commerce *Paul Chartrand, Law & Justice *Theland Kicknosway, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *Tracie Léost, Youth - Métis Recipient

2019

Atuat Akittirq Atuat Akkitirq is a Canadians, Canadian filmmaker, actress and costume designer. A partner in the filmmaking collective Arnait Video Productions, she was a shortlisted Genie Award nominee for Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award for Best ...

, Lifetime Achievement *Barbara Todd Hager, Arts *

Billy-Ray Belcourt Billy-Ray Belcourt is a poet, scholar, and author from the Driftpile Cree Nation. Belcourt's works encompass a variety of topics and themes, including decolonial love, grief, intimacy and queer sexuality, and the role of Indigenous women in so ...

, Youth - First Nation Recipient * Brigette Lacquette, Sports *Dianne Corbiere, Law & Justice *Dr. Marlyn Cook, Health *Dr.

Vianne Timmons Vianne Timmons OC (born 1958) is the current president and vice chancellor of Memorial University of Newfoundland since April 1, 2020. She was formerly president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina, a public university in Regina, Saska ...

, Education *Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson, Business & Commerce * James Lavallée, Youth - Métis Recipient *Jijuu Mary Snowshoe, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Kelly Fraser Kelly Fraser (August 8, 1993 – December 24, 2019) was a Canadian Inuk pop singer and songwriter, whose second album, ''Sedna'', received a Juno Award nomination for Indigenous Music Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2018. Life and car ...

, Youth - Inuit Recipient *Peter Dinsdale, Public Service

2020

*Alicia Aragutak, Youth - Inuit Recipient *

Ta'Kaiya Blaney Ta'Kaiya Skoden Stoodis Kayden Gwanden Blaney (born 2001) is a singer, award-winning actress, speaker, and environmental activist from the Tla A'min Nation in British Columbia, Canada. She is an ambassador for the Native Children’s Survival In ...

, Youth - First Nation Recipient *Claudette Commanda, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality *

Jeannette Corbiere Lavell Jeannette Corbiere Lavell (born June 21, 1942) is a Canadian and Anishinaabe community worker who focused on women's and children's rights. In 2018, she was honoured as a member of the Order of Canada. Biography She was born Jeannette Vivian Co ...

, Lifetime Achievement *Marian Jacko, Law & Justice *Karen Lawford, Health *Candice Lys, Education *Dawn Madahbee Leach, Business & Commerce *Alana Robert, Youth - Métis Recipient *

Cowboy Smithx Cowboy Smithx (born January 31, 1982) is a Blackfoot filmmaker from the Piikani Nation and Kainai Nation in Southern Alberta. He has acted in, co-produced, and directed a few short films and music videos. His best known work is a full feature do ...

, Arts *Gina Wilson, Public Service

2021

* Lesley Hampton, Youth *Mitchell MacDougall, Youth *Justin Langan, Youth *

Drew Hayden Taylor Drew Hayden Taylor (born 1 July 1962) is a Canadian playwright, author and journalist. Life and career Born in Curve Lake, Ontario, Taylor is part Ojibwe and part Caucasian. About his background Taylor says: "I plan to start my own nation. Bec ...

, Arts *Rosa Walker, Business and Commerce *Emily Angulalik, Culture, Heritage, and Spirituality *Lorne Gladu, Education *Catherine Cook, Health *Val Napoleo, Law and Justice *

Nahanni Fontaine Nahanni Fontaine (born 1971) is a Canadian provincial politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for the riding of St. Johns in the 2016 and 2019 elections. She held the seat for the NDP after incumbent MLA ...

, Public Service * Dallas Soonias, Sports * Qapik Attagutsiak, Lifetime Achievement

2022

*Shayla Oulette-Stonechild, Youth *Melissa Attagutsiak, Youth *Tristen Durocher, Youth * David Wolfman, Arts *Jenn Harper, Business & Commerce *Siyamiyateliot Elizabeth Phillips, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality * Annette Trimbee, Education *Melanie MacKinnon, Health *Cheryl Arcand-Kootenay, Law & Justice *Terry Goodtrack, Public Service * Terry Felix, Sport *Marjorie White, Lifetime Achievement

References

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External links

IndspireIndspire Laureates with biographies of each recipient

Nomination procedure

About

Award categories

Eligibility criteria

Indspire Awards recipients

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

See also

References

External links