16 Red Deer Express Wednesday, June 23, 2010

RED DEER NATIVE FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY

presents

Aboriginal Arts Award
Red Deer Dance Troupe
Education & Training Awards
Debbie Oostindie
ABORIGINAL
TURTLE AWARDS
Held June 21 at the Capri Centre
A sold out crowd gathered at the Capri Hotel &
Convention Centre on June 21 to honour the 15
recipients of this year’s Aboriginal Turtle Awards
celebrating Aboriginal achievement in Central Al-
berta.
The ceremony also marked National Aborigi-
nal Day and the Summer Solstice. The evening
opened with elder AlaJoy Morris offering a prayer,
followed by a honour song.
Mayor Morris Flewwelling brought greetings
from the City before guests were served with a de-
licious Aboriginal-themed dinner including ban-
nock and bison tenderloin.
The silent auction raised almost $1,500 which
will go toward the new Friendship Centre. The lo-
cal Aboriginal community is grateful to the many
individuals and businesses that contributed items
to the silent auction.
Recording artist Curt Young and Jamie Medi-
cine Crane entertained, and the Red Deer Aborig-
inal Dance Troupe not only performed but was
also awarded the Turtle Award for Aboriginal Arts.
Following the awards Morning Star drummers
and singers from Sunchild First Nation played sev-
eral drum songs. The performance was followed
by a round dance song that got everyone out of
their chairs to participate in a traditional ceremony
of friendship.
“Next year promises to be even bigger,” said
event organizer Mandy Griffiths, adding spon-
sors are encouraged to contact the Red Deer Na-
tive Friendship Centre early to participate in next
year’s Turtle Awards.
The proceeds of the June 21 fundraiser will help
to achieve the dream of a New Friendship Heal-
ing Centre that will offer high quality Aboriginal
programs, cultural supports and services the com- Kookum Award
munity has appreciated over the past 25 years. Agnes Johnson
The Red Deer Native Friendship Centre con-
gratulates the recipients of the awards this year
and acknowledges the generous support of the
sponsors who made this event possible and con-
tributed to the celebration of Aboriginal achieve-
ment in Central Alberta:
Red Deer Express
Red Deer College
Myers Norris Penny
Collins Barrow
Peace Hills Trust Mooshum Award
City of Red Deer Douglas Bonaise
Aboriginal Frontline
Rocky Native Friendship Centre
Red Deer Aboriginal Employment
Community & District Foundation
Safe Harbour Society
Drumocracy
Red Deer Friendship Centre
Capri Hotel & Convention Centre

Entrepreneurship Award Youth Award (12 - 24)

Bruce & Allison Plain-Cutknife Natalie Michele Chiles

Health Award Youth Award (5 - 11)

Darryl Lickers Cheyenne Ogilvie

Photo not available

Kookum Award Traditional Practices Award Service Provider Awards Volunteer Award Youth Award (12 - 24)
Theresa (Corky) Jonasson Darcy Goodrunning Bev Weber Therese Kehler Cody Derocher

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support

Life Time Achievement Award Outstanding Contribution Award

Ms. Cora Fedyk Dr. John Paul Stewart
Accepted by Erika Stewart

ABORIGINAL WEEK June 21 - 27 Come Out and Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 23 Thursday, June 24 Thursday, June 24 Friday, June 25 Friday, June 25 Saturday, June 26
Metis Local & Metis LINKS RDNFS Library Film Screening Native Counselling RDAES Heritage Square Celebration
Open House @ Metis Links Open House 6:00 - 8:30pm Open House Dance 10:00am - 4:00pm