Denise Rathbone
in
2022
for
Children’s Future
Esquao Award Categories and Past Honourees
The Esquao Awards are unique because there is no competition between nominees. When the community completes the nomination form, the Indigenous woman is deemed to be a ‘Community Champion’ in one of the categories and is honoured with an Esquao Award. This policy has worked miraculously to reduce the division between women, and recognizes our women as ‘Angels Among Us’.
Award Categories
Arts
Excellence in the visual arts, including writers, actors, or musicians.
Business
Success in business development or ownership.
Children’s Future
Integrating a child’s perspective in planning and promoting services to children or to help children live their dreams.
Community Involvement
Those striving for community wellness, ensuring community engagement, or community development.
Culture
Practicing and preserving cultural practices and way of life.
Education
Achievement in the educational system.
Health & Medicine
Advocates, staff, or administration in the health system.
International
Pursuit of international relationship with Indigenous women around the world.
Justice & Human Rights
Courage and determination in pursuing justice or advocating for human rights.
Lifetime Achievement
A lifetime commitment of helping others in their community.
Service to Country & Community
Those serving or have served in the Canadian Forces, Police, Fire, or Emergency Services.
Sports
Achievement in organized sports including rodeo, hockey, water sports, or boxing.
Trades & Technology
Success in trades and/or technology, including construction, engineering, and environmental management.
Partial Listing of Past Honourees
Dorothy Anderson
in
2022
for
Culture
Skye Durocher
in
2022
for
Culture
Elena Gould
in
2022
for
Culture
Jo-Anne Packham
in
2022
for
Community Involvement
Doris Churchill
in
2022
for
Community Involvement
Wilma Cardinal
in
2022
for
Community Involvement
Dr. Evelyn Steinhauer
in
2022
for
Education
Shannon Lust
in
2022
for
Children’s Future
Candice Caillou
in
2022
for
Children’s Future
Dr. Florence Glanfield
in
2022
for
Education
Dr. Dayle Poitras-Oster
in
2022
for
Health & Medicine
Rhonda Janvier
in
2022
for
Business
Marie Borynsky
in
2022
for
Health & Medicine
Jackie Davis
in
2022
for
Lifetime Achievement
Ileen Nepoose
in
2014
for
Education
Elaine Cardinal
in
2012
for
Trades & Technology
Karen Telford
in
2011
for
Education
Karen Young
in
2010
for
Business
Florence Large
in
2010
for
International
Carla Saunders
in
2009
for
Trades & Technology
Shelly Hamlin
in
2009
for
Children’s Future
Grace Auger
in
2009
for
Justice & Human Rights
Cst. Sharon Bourque
in
2008
for
Service to Country & Community
Vina Roberts-Marten
in
2008
for
Business
Ruby Lacombe
in
2007
for
Children’s Future
Rose Findlay
in
2006
for
Lifetime Achievement
Marlene Arcand
in
2006
for
Health & Medicine
Rose Auger
in
2005
for
Culture
Annie Bear Shin Bone
in
2005
for
Lifetime Achievement
Cynthia Smallboy
in
2004
for
Arts
Linda Bull
in
2003
for
International
Denise L. Lightning
in
2003
for
Justice & Human Rights
Tantoo Cardinal
in
2002
for
Arts
Leona Beaulieu
in
2001
for
Health & Medicine
Nora Flett
in
2001
for
Community Involvement
Crystal Arcand
in
2000
for
Sports
Madge McRee
in
2000
for
Community Involvement
Clara Woodbridge
in
1996
for
Community Involvement
Bertha Clark-Jones
in
1996
for
Service to Country & Community