Biographies
Many and more Aboriginal notables are represented on the Canadian Aboriginal Newspaper site at
http://www.ammsa.com/windspeaker/index.htm. Choose the link “People of Honour.”
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Joseph and Josephine Crowshoe
Joseph is keeper of the Siksika
(Blackfoot) Short Thunder medicine bundle. Josephine is the keeper of
the Sun Dance medicine bundle. They are the only remaining traditional
Piikani Elders of the Nation. They have worked to preserve their culture
and bridge the gap between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal People of
Alberta.
Chester Cunningham
Dr. Chester Cunningham is a humanitarian and
educator whose personal convictions about justice and equality have improved
the quality of life for Aboriginal Peoples in Alberta, across Canada and
around the world. Chester Raymond Cunningham was born in Slave Lake, Alberta
in 1933, the third child in a fourth generation Métis family.
Chester Cunningham has received many awards
and honours. A few of these include a Queen’s Medal for Achievement,
Honorary Chief of the Peigan Tribe, the Aboriginal Achievement Award, the
Alberta Achievement Award, a medallion from Prince Charles at Treaty 7
celebrations, and a lifetime membership for the Canadian Native Friendship
Centre. The Aboriginal Students Council at the University of Alberta also
recognized Dr. Cunningham for his contributions to the Native community and
for his influence as a strong role model.
In 1989, Chester Cunningham received an
honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta recognizing
his contributions to the correctional system. He was appointed a Member of
the Order of Canada in 1994. From Kainai Board of Education, Peoples and
Cultural Change, Duval House Publishing.
Sharon and Shirly Firth
The Firth twins were born in Aklavik, NWT,
but grew up in Inuvik. There they often helped their father with his
trap lines. They learned to ski from Father Mouchet a local priest, and
discovered they had a natural talent for cross-county skiing. In total,
they won a combined 48 Canadian championships.
Chief Dan George
Chief Dan George, a member of the Salish
Band, was born in 1899 in British Columbia. He worked as a dockworker
and logger until he was 60 and was Chief for the Tslieil-Waututh Band.
His acting career began at age 59. In 1970, he was nominated for an
Academy Award for his role in “Little Big Man.”
Elijah Harper
Elijah was the first Treaty First Nations
person elected in Manitoba as a provincial politician. He served as a
member of parliament from 1981 to 1992. Elijah is known for refusing to
support the Meech Lake Accord, as it did not guarantee Aboriginal
rights. His refusal prevented the Accord from becoming law.
Tomson Highway
Tomson Highway is an esteemed playwright,
novelist, and children’s author from Manitoba. Highway holds a Bachelors
degree in Music as well as English. In 1994, he received the Order of
Canada and in 2000, Maclean’s magazine listed him as one of the
top 100 most important people in Canada.
Waneek Horn
Waneek Horn is a member of the Kahnawake Mohawk First Nation located
near Montreal, Quebec. She is the daughter of Kahn-tineta Horn, a
notable Mohawk activist, teacher, and speaker for First Nations rights.
While in university, Waneek Horn won the title Female Athlete of the Year
three times. Her accomplishments include winning a gold medal at the 1999
Pan Am Games and participating as co-captain of the water polo team at the
2000 Sydney Olympics. She has been a part-time television host for the
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.
Tom Jackson
Tom Jackson was born on the One Arrow Cree
Nation reserve in Saskatchewan and grew up in Alberta. He later moved to
Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived as a homeless person. He became a
musical, television, film, and stage performer. He is known for his role
in the television series North of 60, and he has been in hundreds
of other productions. He began and starred in the cross-Canada Christmas
benefit The Huron Carole.
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