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Esquao Award Categories and Past Honourees

Since 1995, the Esquao Awards have recognized the achievements and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women from throughout Alberta and raised awareness about the challenges and obstacles they face.

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

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Denise Rathbone

in
2022
for
Children’s Future

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