Mi'kmaq Awards Presented at Treaty Day Ceremony

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS--Mi'kmaq Awards Presented at Treaty Day Ceremony

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

The Grand Chief Donald Marshall Senior Elder Award was presented to Viola Christmas of Membertou First Nation and Sarah Francis of Pictou Landing. Both were recognized for their outstanding contributions as Mi'kmaq elders.

The Chief Noel Doucette Memorial Youth Achievement Awards went to Patty Prosper of Waycobah First Nation, Cecilia Doucette of Chapel Island and Trevor Gould of the Afton Reserve. This award was established in 1996 and is presented to Mi'kmaq youth who possess leadership qualities and show high academic achievement.

Mi'kmaq kina'matnewey (Education) also presented two $1,000 scholarships to recipients of the Donald Marshall Sr. Memorial Scholarships. This scholarship supports Mi'kmaq post-secondary students at the diploma, certificate, bachelor and graduate levels.

Doreen Stevens of Eskasoni First Nation received the Donald Marshall Senior Graduate Award. Ms. Stevens is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick where she received a Bachelor of Education degree in 1995. She is pursuing a Master of Arts program in psychology at Mount Saint Vincent University.

The Donald Marshall Senior Undergraduate Award was won by Cheyenne Bennett from Bear River First Nation. She is a graduate of Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in kinesiology and is now working on a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Baker joined Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, in congratulating this year's award recipients.

The Office of Aboriginal Affairs co-ordinates the annual Treaty Day event at Province House.