Alberta Achievement Awards

Page 4

Daniels gets top recognition

Each year the province of Alberta honors dozens upon dozens of deserving citizens by presenting them with special achievement awards. The categories for the awards fall in the areas of Performance, Service and Excellence.

However, the premium awards are those known as the Premier's Awards which are given in lieu of meritorious and outstanding achievement and distinction. In this regard, only one award is given in each of the three categories, one of which went to Christine Daniels.

It is seldom that a naive person is recognized for his or her long standing contributions to society and more seldom does such recognition come from a non-Native society.

Saturday, April 25, proved to be such a day for Daniels, a past board member for the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA) and an active member of the Native community at large.

Daniels is no stranger to Native society. Her time and efforts which seem endless are well known to many. Infrequently, however, are the dedication and efforts of her kind, ever acknowledged or rewarded.

This year's 18 annual award ceremonies were conducted at Edmonton's Westin Hotel, beginning with a banquet. A blessing prior to the meal was made by the provincial Speaker of the House, Reverend David J. Carter.

Minister of Culture Dennis Anderson addressed an audience of nearly 300 as he paid tribute to 159 Alberta Achievement Award recipients plus the three beneficiaries of the Premier's Awards.

In extolling the virtues of the award winners, Anderson said, "You give us the honor of giving you our best for those who have given their best to the province of Alberta.

He mentioned 30 individuals who had been selected for achievement awards under the service category "for dedicating their lives to others."

Anderson told of how "greatly impressed he was with the tremendous accomplishments of outstanding Albertans" from all walks of life who have "forged new directions, created new visions and reached almost unattainable heights."

Apologies were extended on behalf of Premier Don Getty who was unable to attend the awards dinner. In his place to present the awards was the Honorable Nancy Betkowski, Minister of Education. She expressed "pure delight" in having the pleasure and opportunity of filling in for the premier.

Betkowski presented 115 Performance Awards, 30 Service Awards and 14 Excellence Awards.

The highlight of the evening then followed with the presentation of the three Premier's Awards.

The first was the Premier's Award for Performance which went to Gail Greenough of Edmonton who represented Canada in Equestrian competition and captured the World Show Jumping Championships in West Germany.

Greenough joined the Canadian national jumping team in 1983. In winning the world title in July of '86, she competed against an all-male field.

The second Premier's Award, for Service, went to Christine Daniels whose "extensive and varied involvement in the Native community has had a positive impact from the local to the international level."

Daniels, a past president of the Voice of Alberta Native Women's Society and the founder of the White Braid Society in 1976, has also achieved great heights and "had a significant impact on the addictions field and prison systems where she offers her support, care and concern through the Native Brotherhood People's Society."

Through her diligent efforts, White Braid has acquired international status, having performed in numerous foreign countries, at Uniersiade '83 in Alberta, Expo '85 in Japan and at Expo '86 in Vancouver.

Daniels has also served as a board member with AMMSA, Canadian Native Friendship Centre, Legal Aid Society, Native Pastoral Centre and Poundmaker's Lodge.

"In all her commitments, Christine Daniels is credited with bridging the gap between Native and non-Native communities, thereby bringing people toward a better understanding of each other," said a statement from Alberta Culture.

Danls with tears welling in her eyes and family members about her, accepted her award, the highest level of recognition from the province.

The final recipient of the Premier's Awards, for Excellence, was to Stephen R. Ramsankar, 17 years the principal of Alex Taylor Community School in Edmonton.

His school was gained an international reputation as a model which extends "a loving and caring learning environment" to all. AT any given time, the school's population has included as many as 34 different ethno-cultural groups.

In 1983, Ramsankar was honoured with the Order of Canada for his educational achievements and the Cree named him "Chief Big Heart" when they bestowed an honorary chieftanship upon him.

The awards are given out each year about this time with the closing date for nominations being December 1. Any individual or group may nominate someone for the awards. Further information and nomination forms may be obtained from: Achievement Awards, Government of Alberta, Alberta Culture, 12 Floor, CN Tower, Edmonton T5J 0K5 (phone 427-8665).