Youth, elders receive awards at Treaty Day ceremony
Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter presents Noel Knockwood with Donald Marshall, Sr. Elder award. Photo by RadioGoogoo.ca
The accomplishments of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq youth and elders were acknowledged during Mi’kmaq Treaty Day celebrations in Halifax on Thursday.
Eight people from six Mi’kmaq communities in the province received awards during the Treaty Day ceremony held at the World Trade and Convention Centre.
“I would like to congratulate all of you here today who will receive an award this afternoon,” Premier Darrell Dexter said during his Treaty Day address. “Your communities and all Nova Scotians commend you for your accomplishments. You should feel proud of your contributions,” he said.
Respected elders and educators Noel Doucette from Indian Brook and Helen Sylliboy from Eskasoni were the recipients of the Grand Chief Donald Marshall, Sr. Elder Award. The award was established in 1993 by then Premier John Savage to honour Mi’kmaq elders’ contributions to their respective communities.
Four young people were presented with the Chief Noel Doucette Memorial Youth Award. They were Sara Abram from Millbrook, Robert Francis Julian from Paq’tnkek, Adam Edward Gould and Zaccharary Evander Michael Paul from Membertou.
NS Premier Darrell Dexter, AFN Vice-Chief Rick Simon present the Chief Noel Doucette Youth Award to Robert Francis Julian of Paq'tnkek. Photo by RadioGoogoo.ca
The award was also introduced by then Premier John Savage in 1997 to honour the late Noel Doucette who served as chief of the Chapel Island First Nation. The award honours recipients for their educational achievements and contributions.
Recipients of the Donald Marshall Sr. Memorial Scholarship were Crystal Denny from Pictou Landing First Nation and Sarah Doucette from Membertou First Nation. The scholarship was established by Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey for aboriginal youth who achieve academic excellence while continuing to contribute to their communities.
Lt. Gov. Mayann Francis said she was not surprised to see many young faces in attendance at the various Treaty Day events given that youth make up a large percentage of the population in Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaq communities. More than 44 per cent of people living in First Nation communities are under the age of 25, she noted.
“The respect and enthusiasm demonstrated by these young people suggests to me that our plans for the future will have able collaborators,” Francis said during her speech.
