Indspire announces 2013 Indspire Award recipients

OHSWEKEN, ON, Oct. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - 14 outstanding Indigenous Canadians today were named as recipients of the 2013 Indspire Awards. Formerly called the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, the Indspire Awards have, for 20 years, celebrated the significant contributions of Indigenous people in Canada.

This year, a national jury comprised of former Award recipients reviewed all the nominations and selected 10 career achievement award winners, three youth award winners (First Nation, Inuit and Métis) and one lifetime achievement award. The selection is a confidential process that is based on the highest merits of fairness, honesty and respect to the hundreds of deserving nominees.

"Each and every one of our Award recipients is a role model and a leader who has made a profound impact in their communities and across Canada," said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire. "By honouring their achievements, we continue to inspire others to demonstrate their own potential — which is why the work we do at Indspire with First Nation, Inuit and Métis students is so essential."

The 2013 Indspire Award recipients are:

Jacqueline Guest, Alberta - Arts
Charlie Evalik, Nunavut - Business & Commerce
Winston Wuttunee, Saskatchewan - Culture, Heritage & Spirituality
Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, British Columbia - Education
Lloyd (Sonny) Flett, Alberta - Environment & Natural Resources
Ruby Jacobs, Ontario - Health
Viola Robinson, Nova Scotia - Law & Justice
Duane Smith, Northwest Territories - Politics
Gail Cyr, Manitoba - Public Service
Theoren Fleury, Manitoba - Sports
Graham Kotowich, Saskatchewan - Métis Youth Award
Gabrielle Scrimshaw, Saskatchewan - First Nation Youth Award
Elizabeth Zarpa, Newfoundland and Labrador - Inuit Youth Award
Alex Van Bibber, Yukon - Lifetime Achievement Award
(note: individual bios are included as an attachment to this news release).

Indspire will formally recognize these remarkable individuals at a special Indspire Awards gala event on Friday, February 15, 2013 at the Sid Buckwold Theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Awards promote self-esteem and pride for the Indigenous community and provides outstanding role models for Indigenous youth. The Awards broadcast the success of individuals who have the discipline, drive and determination to set high standards and accomplish their goals.

This year's Awards gala is being presented by CIBC and Cameco. Gerry McCaughey, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC stated "CIBC is proud to support this inspiring program which celebrates the broad range of talent and skills within the Indigenous community. The recipients of these awards have built awareness of the contribution Indigenous people continue to make to our country's success and they act as important role models for others to follow."

"Celebrating our 25^th anniversary, Cameco Corporation is thrilled to be a Presenting Corporate Sponsor for the 20^th annual Indspire Awards", said Tim Gitzel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cameco Corporation. "Being able to celebrate and honour this year's Indigenous recipients and the contributions they have made across Canada is truly inspirational."

Presenting corporate sponsors: CIBC, Cameco Corporation
Lead partner: Government of Canada
Major sponsors: Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Air Canada, BHP Billiton, Fort McKay Group of Companies, Frog Lake Energy Resources Corp., Shaw Media, Suncor Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Pre-Gala VIP reception host sponsor: Shell Canada Limited
Post-Gala Reception: Host Sponsor - BHP Billiton
Participating sponsors: Rio Tinto Alcan, Tuccaro Inc. Group of Companies
Supporting sponsors: Government of Nunavut, Government of the Northwest Territories, Britco, Willbros Canada
Official hotels in Saskatoon: The Sheraton Cavalier Hotel and The James Hotel

Indspire proudly announces Global Television and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) as the returning exclusive broadcast partners of the 20^th annual Indspire Awards. A telecast date will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the Awards gala on Friday, February 15, 2013 at the Sid Buckwold Theatre in Saskatoon are on sale now. Please contact Andrew Wilson at 416.987.0250 or 1.855.INDSPIRE (463.7747) x228. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at indspire.ca/tickets or via e-mail at [email protected].

About Indspire

Indspire is the former National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. Its new name combines the key notions of Indigenous and inspiration to highlight its exciting mandate. Indspire is best-known for its many programs that help Indigenous youth succeed. In addition to bursaries and scholarships, they offer career conferences for youth, interactive classroom learning modules, the Indspire Institute and the Indspire Awards. Indspire's focus is on supporting, innovating, and fundamentally transforming Indigenous education. In 2011-2012, Indspire's Building Brighter Futures program provided a record $6,205,100 to 2,220 individual recipients. 

SOURCE: National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation

For media interviews and more information, please call:

John Ecker 
Vice-President, Communications and Media Relations
Indspire
Phone: [phone]