Mi'kmaq Awards at Treaty Day

The provincial government joined the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia today to recognize outstanding academic achievement and community involvement.

The Grand Chief Donald Marshall Sr. Elder Award was presented to Alexander Denny of Eskasoni First Nation and Katherine Sorbey, also from Eskasoni. Both were recognized for their outstanding contributions as Mi'kmaq elders.

The Chief Noel Doucette Memorial Youth Achievement Awards went to Lindsay Marshall of Membertou First Nation; Julia Pineo of Horton First Nation and Matthew Christmas from Membertou First Nation. This award was established in 1996, in honour of the late Chief Noel Doucette. It is presented annually to those Mi'kmaq youth who possess leadership qualities and demonstrate high academic achievement.

Mi'kmaq Kina'matnewey (Education) also presented two $1,000 scholarships to recipients of the Donald Marshall Sr. Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship supports Mi'kmaq post-secondary students at the diploma, certificate, bachelor and graduate levels. It's also presented each year on Treaty Day at Province House.

This year's recipients are Sharon Paul of Eskasoni First Nation, who went back to school and graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from St. Francis Xavier University, and Clifford Paul of Membertou First Nation. Mr. Paul completed his first year in the Mi'kmaq Science Advantage Program at the University College of Cape Breton. Mr. Paul is advancing toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Studies.

Premier John Hamm joined Michael Baker, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, in congratulating this year's award recipients for their accomplishments.

The Office of Aboriginal Affairs co-ordinates the annual Treaty Day event in Province House. Its mandate is to enhance the capacity of government to proactively address Aboriginal issues in a comprehensive and co-ordinated manner, while recognizing the unique heritage and culture of Aboriginal people in Nova Scotia.