Honouring citizens at the Seven Grandfather Awards in Beausoleil

December 12, 2013
10th Annual Seven Grandfather Award recipients with nominators. From left: Garrison Assance, Marsha Assance, Terry Assance, Roger Roote, Virginia Roote, Irene Monague, Cecile Assance, Dennis Assance, Emily Norton, Margaret White, Everett King, Georgia Monague and Guy Monague.
10th Annual Seven Grandfather Award recipients with nominators. From left: Garrison Assance, Marsha Assance, Terry Assance, Roger Roote, Virginia Roote, Irene Monague, Cecile Assance, Dennis Assance, Emily Norton, Margaret White, Everett King, Georgia Monague and Guy Monague.

By Sharon Weatherall

BEAUSOLEIL FN – Emily Norton says “the Seven Grandfather teachings are like the Ten Commandments in religion and if we all live by them it makes life so much better.”

The Beausoleil First Nation member was the recipient of the “Humility” award at the 10th Annual Seven Grandfather Awards on Christian Island Nov. 7.  She was one of eight community members recognized at the gala event. Joining Norton at the podium were Garrison Assance recipient of the “Wisdom” Award, Terry Assance recipient of the “Braver” Award, Roger Roote recipient of the “Truth” Award, Everett King recipient of the “Respect”Award, Dennis and Cecile Assance recipients of the “Love” Award and Guy Monague recipient of the “Honesty”Award.

For several years Guy Monague participated as an organizer of the event which is hosted each year by the BFN Health Center to recognize and honour community members who are nominated by their family members or Chimnissing peers. This year he was very pleased to be among those who were recognized for contributions to the community and improvements to life in general.

“It is such an honour for me to receive one of these awards. I am glad to accept and to see the pride it gives people who receive is really something special,” said Monague.

“I have learned something from everyone who has pushed me to strive for better things. Greater awareness can mean different things to different people. Over the last five years I have looked at my life and always participated in community events and enjoyed doing that but the strength and energy comes from the community and every one of us can grasp that – it’s there for the taking.”

Emcee for the evening was Allan Manitowabi who during his welcome said it was so good to see the positive changes in the community over the past 35 years that he had lived there.  Manitowabi introduced Elder Leon King to say an opening prayer, followed by drumming and singing before the dinner and award presentations.

“This evening is about respecting and honouring each other,” said Manitowabi thanking everyone for taking the time to come together to share such an important community event.