MEDIA RELEASE – Esquao Awards 2024

For Immediate Release

Edmonton AB, March 7 2024: A commitment to the arts, business, culture, community involvement, children’s futures, education, health and medicine, and justice and human rights are just some of the themes being celebrated as 18 Indigenous women are honoured at the 28th annual Esquao Awards Awards—including this year s Muriel Stanley Venne Leadership Award recipient Brenda Blyan, who will be welcomed into the Circle of Honour.

The event to honour these change-makers doing extraordinary work in their communities will be held on Friday, May 3 2024 from noon to 4:00 pm at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

The Esquao Awards recognize the achievements and contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women from across Alberta and raise awareness about the challenges and obstacles they face. Since their inception in 1995, over 500 women from 93 communities have been honoured in what has become the single largest recognition event for Indigenous women in Canada.

Each year, some 600 people from across the province and beyond attend the Esquao Awards. Guests include members from all levels of government, Indigenous organizations, Métis and First Nation leaders, businesses, friends, and supporters. Tickets for the Esquao Awards are $95+GST or $900+GST for a table of 10 and are available at https://EsquaoAwards2024.eventbrite.ca or by emailing esquao@iaaw.ca or calling 1-877-471-2171 (Toll Free).

Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW), is a non-profit organization that recognizes the role, value, and achievements of Indigenous women in society and raises awareness around the challenges facing them. Esquao offers culturally respectful programming in violence prevention, achieving justice, financial literacy, healthy relationships, housing capacity building, and leadership development for Indigenous women and girls. Founded in 1994 by Muriel Stanley Venne CM, AOE, BA (Hon), the organization strives to empower all Indigenous peoples in the reinforcement and rediscovery of their language, culture, and spiritual practices.

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Friday, May 3, 2024
Edmonton Expo Centre
Edmonton, Alberta

Join us in honouring Indigenous women
from across Alberta.

For more information on Esquao, the 2024 Esquao Awards,
or to coordinate an interview with one of the recipients, please contact:

Erica Gladue, egladue@iaaw.ca or 1-877-471-2171 (ext: 108).

Esquao is the stylized version of the Cree word for woman.
2024 Esquao Awards