Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse among 16 Indigenous women celebrated at Esquao Awards

Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Edmonton-Rutherford MLA is seen in front of the Alberta legislature. (CTV News Edmonton)

Hundreds filled a banquet hall at the River Cree Casino in Enoch to celebrate 16 Indigenous women and their accomplishments.

NDP MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse was among this year’s recipients, accepting the Muriel Stanley Venne Leadership Award.

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“Calahoo Stonehouse understands the importance of advocating for the needs of all Albertans,” said a release.

The Edmonton-Rutherford representative ran in the NDP leadership race last year.

She also served as the executive director for the Yellowhead Indigenous Education Foundation and founded Miyo-Pimatsiwin Productions.

Elder Pauline Gladue of Big Stone Cree Nation was awarded a lifetime achievement award for her work in the Northern Alberta community. Gladue is a registered social worker, mentor and residential and day school survivor.

“Gladue is a strong advocate for those dealing with mental health and addictions,” said a release. “(She) is known for her caring and her respectful and traditional ways of knowing.”

Frog Lake Elder Shirley Moocheweinies received a lifetime achievement award for dedicating her life to her community. Moocheweinies has been a teacher, mentor, guidance counsellor, community volunteer, support worker and an employment and training director. She was also a foster parent to 50 children while raising six of her own.

“She believes in the power of her culture to bring emotional, spiritual, mental and physical healing to those suffering from intergenerational trauma,” said the release.

Mary Cardinal Collins was also awarded a lifetime achievement for teaching Nêhiyawêwin and working in Indigenous language programming for 30 years.

“She has been an advocate for the preservation and teaching of Cree and other Indigenous languages within provincial and federal K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions,” said the release.

Lisa Weber, Esquao president said people nominate women in their communities to be considered for a variety of awards. They usually choose 15 to 20 women to honour every year.

“We like to honour all of our women, their contributions, in all walks of life.”

The Esquao Awards have been held by the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) for 29 years.

IAAW is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by the late Muriel Stanley Venne, to empower Indigenous women and the rediscovery of their language, culture and spiritual practices.