RAMA, ONTARIO—Nine residents of the Manitoulin Island and area First Nations were recognized with 2024 Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Awards at a ceremony held at Casino Rama Resort in Rama on Thursday, August 29.
“We presented a total of 19 recipients with awards,” said Jason Restoule, of the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity. Each year the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity proudly hosts a celebration to acknowledge and recognize Anishinaabe citizens who have made a lifetime commitment to improving the quality of life for our First Nations.”
“This year, we will be honouring individuals who have made a lifetime commitment to career, community and the advancement of the Anishinabek Nation,” said Mr. Restoule.
The first award recipient was Dr. Deborah McGregor of Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN) in the category of environment. “Dr. McGregor has made significant contributions to the WRFN community through formal and informal engagements over the years. She has also been a conduit to external resources and expertise providing valuable advice on research, health, lands/environment, and water issues. Additionally, her participation in ceremonies and support for local initiatives demonstrates a deep commitment to the cultural and social aspects of the community, establishing a trusted and respected presence.”
“Dr. McGregor has significantly contributed to First Nations communities in Ontario through impactful projects,” Mr. Restoule continued. “She helped conduct a Traditional Land Use Study Review to document and preserve cultural connections to the land. She also spearheaded an education review to enhance educational frameworks as well as implemented source water protection planning and training across various communities to ensure safe drinking water. Additionally, she developed traditional knowledge policies and protocols to safeguard traditional knowledge, evaluated health transfer policies to enhance healthcare delivery, and formulated an environmental management action plan to address environmental challenges. Her numerous studies and reports have significantly influenced water and environmental policies, advocating for the sustainability and well-being of First Nations communities across Ontario.”
“Overall, her lifetime achievements have profoundly impacted the lives and ways of Anishinabek people,” Mr. Restoule said. “Her work has strengthened the connection between Indigenous knowledge and contemporary issues, promoted cultural revitalization and reconciliation, empowered communities through education, and served as a role model for future generations.”
Marjorie Trudeau of Wiiikwemkoong Unceded Territory received an Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award in the category of culture. Her award citation reads, “serving as a volunteer board director for Debajehmujig Theatre Group for over 40 years, she has been instrumental in the growth of the theatre group, from their start as a seasonal operator in a church basement to being a full-time operation in a facility. Not only has she worked tirelessly behind the scenes, but she has also performed in several productions.”
“As a community member, Ms. Trudeau has been identified as a cultural emancipator, ensuring Anishinaabe identify, culture, traditions, and storytelling are shared,” the citation continues. “She also worked as a primary grade teacher in the Wikwemikong Board of Education system.”
A selfless act of faith, she has also been a DOS for several years, performing functions such as presiding at communion services, leading wake services and minister the sick—a resource for families in need of comfort and grace.
She is held in high esteem within her family and her community.
“Our next award recipient is Grant Taibossigai of M’Chigeeng First Nation,” Mr. Restoule said. “He is a firm believer that economic development can change a community’s destiny and help it prosper as a First Nation. Thanks to much of his hard work, leadership, determination and dedication, M’Chigeeng First Nation has made great strides in building a sustainable economic base and has become a leading First Nation community for business development and entrepreneurship.”
“He has been instrumental in his economic development work for his community,” the citation states. “He has invested his life work of over 40 years in helping his community achieve economic advancement. Over the years, he has assisted local business entrepreneurs with economic initiatives by helping them develop business plans and obtaining financial support. His intent was to stimulate the local economy and provide opportunities for his community, including band-owned business ventures such as the Mother Earth Renewable Energy wind farm project, the Solar Energy Project which is a business venture with other Island First Nations, and the community’s owned grocery store, M’Chigeeng Freshmart.”
He has recently retired but remains involved in economic development. He sits on the Ontario First Nations Economic Developers Association as an active member and is involved in his own community initiatives as a board member and chairperson of the M’Chigeeng First Nation Economic Development Committee.
“Congratulations to Grant Taibossigai for his Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award In the category of public service.
Gertie Manitowabi was presented with the lifetime achievement award in the category of public service.
“Ms. Manitowabi, of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, has for the past 20 years served as a volunteer board of director for Debajehmujig Theatre Group, helping it to grow into the impressive arts centre it is today,” Ms. Manitowabi’s citation states.
Professionally, she has served as the community court worker for many years. She has assisted with vulnerable community members who require support and assistance while maneuvering through the justice system. She believes that having a support system, helping individuals to be seen, and not judged, has a direct positive impact and sets examples of how to treat people.”
“As a fluent language speaker, Ms. Manitowabi speaks and encourages others to speak Anishinaabemowin. She helps with language teachings and cultural artistry revitalization at Osawamick G’Tigaaning, which is an Anishinaabemowin hub in Wiikwemkoong,” the citation reads. “She attends ceremony, social functions, rain dances, and also shares the language in her travel across the Anishinabek Nation, attending powwows and sharing her skills in creating traditional crafts.”
Ms. Manitowabi has been married for 50 years to her husband Max. The secret, she says, is teamwork, negotiations, respect and communication.
Elaine F. Debassige of M’Chigeeng First Nation received a lifetime achievement award in the category of education. “She is a true champion of education and our language, Anishinaabemowin.”
“A fluent speaker herself, she is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of our language,” Ms. Debassige’s citation reads. “Over the past 33 years she has been a qualified teacher, developing various curricula that promotes language and culture. She has created resource materials that engage and assess students, she has worked alongside Indigenous scholars and researchers focusing on the immersion model of language acquisition and has mentored and guided a new generation of linguistics and language enthusiasts. She has organized and led several language immersion camps to engage and inspire community members in the application of Anishinaabemowin.”
More recently, in collaboration with the Ontario College of Teachers, she has been teaching an accredited additional qualification course for teachers called Teaching Ojibwe.
The impact of her work on Anishinaabemowin cannot be overstated. Her efforts have not only preserved the language but have also revitalized it, instilling pride and cultural identity in younger generations. Through her tireless efforts and work, she ensured that Anishinaabemowin remains a vibrant and integral part of our cultural heritage. She is well respected by her colleagues, families, and especially the students she works with every day.
Throughout her lifetime, she has demonstrated unwavering commitment, dedication, and passion to ensure that Anishinaabemowin not only survives, but thrives for future generations.
Christina Taibossigai of M’Chigeeng First Nation won an Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award in the category of health.
“Recently retired, she started her professional career working with Health Canada many years ago where there were only 1-2 nurses servicing the five First Nation communities on Manitoulin Island.”
“She spent 25 years as a community health nurse for M’Chigeeng First Nation,” the citation reads. “Always advocating for a healthier community, she was instrumental in establishing M’Chigeeng Health Services as an independent service under health transfer, in addition to playing an integral role in developing and establishing the M’Chigeeng Wellness Centre.”
She took on a leadership role as the coordinator in the health centre for many years, developing and coordinating several programs that were offered to community members, from weight loss groups, prenatal education, smoking cessation initiatives, to advocating for Elders, especially those in palliative care. She spent time with medical students, including them in community events and provided guidance on what it was like to be a community health nurse in a First Nation community.”
“Always passionate about her staff and clients, she provided a kindness and caring approach to her nursing duties,” the citation continues. “More recently, in her retirement, she has co-designed her own grief support groups and offers this program within the community. She walks her talk and leads the way with grace, humour and dignity.”
Genevieve Jacko of Whitefish River First Nation received an Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award in the category of health and culture.
“Ms. Jacko is a traditional knowledge keeper and elder, taking on the responsibility of sharing the teachings as a natural way of restoring the identity of our people.
“She serves her community with strong cultural awareness, ethics, and pride. For many years she has worked as a mental health and addictions counsellor, providing services to her community, ensuring that the option for mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness was available.
“And today, even with her own health struggles, she continues to selflessly help others on their healing journey, mentoring health staff and community members as well as counselling at WRFN Health Services. She is known as a great ambassador for her community and Anishnaabe people as a whole.”
“Our next award recipient is Ron McGregor of Whitefish River First Nation. He enjoyed a career spanning over 30 years working as the plant manager at Lafarge Canada Whitefish River First Nations terminal. With safety as a priority, he was responsible for many safety practices that are still in place today and was key in employees winning awards for exemplary service.
In his retirement, he has devoted his life to his family and community, sharing his experiences as an elder and traditional knowledge keeper. He has worked at Lakehead University’s Native Language Instructor Program and at Wabnode Cambrian College, providing cultural teachings and one-on-one traditional counselling to staff and students. Years back he helped with Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute’s Anishinabek Identity, Mind and Spirit Essential Skills Pilot Project and continues to be one of their esteemed Traditional Knowledge Faculty members today.
He is an active member of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Indigenous Elders Advisory Circle, the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation Elders Council, as well as the Traditional Healing Advisory Circle for the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council.
He is known in his community as a role model for those who are seeking help on their healing journey and is recognized as a community helper sharing cultural knowledge and traditions for the benefit of all Anishinaabe people.
Mr. McGregor received his Anishinabek Lifetime achieve award in the category of health and culture.
Gloria Oshkabewisens-McGregor of Whitefish River First Nation was recognized for her Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award in the category of culture. “She began her career by spending over 19 years serving her community as a primary school educator, providing cultural language-based curriculum.
“Following this, she had gone on to serve as an Elder in Residence for both Lakehead University and Wabnode Cambrian College, providing cultural teachings and traditional counselling to staff and students for seven years.”
Ms. Oshkabewisens-McGregor is currently an active member of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Indigenous Elders Advisory Circle as well as the Ojibwe Cultural Foundations Elders Council. Most recently she has become a member of the Traditional Healing Advisory Circle for the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council, an Indigenous governed, culturally based organization that supports the advancement and evolution of Indigenous Primary Health Care.
“She continues to service the people in her territory and considers herself a helper to her people and community by utilizing the strengths of Indigenous knowledge and gifts while working with the strengths of western knowledge.”
“She passes on knowledge that will continue for generations. She is known as selfless in her work and as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to her family. True example of a woman who walks the path.”
