Elder Alice Corbiere honoured with prestigious award

February 26, 2019

(From Left) Carol Jones, Noel “Skips” Jones, Elder Alice Corbiere, Barbara Nolan, Margaret, Judy Syrette, Grace Nagy, Gloria Burns, and Alanna Jones gather at the North 82 Restaurant in Ste. Ste. Marie on Feb. 2 to celebrate Elder Alice Corbiere who received the Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell Award from Ontario Native Women’s Association. Photo courtesy of: Cher Jamieson.

By Margaret Hele

SAULT STE. MARIE—A celebration to honour Elder Alice Corbiere who received the prestigious Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell Award from the Ontario Native Womens’ Association (ONWA) was held on February 2 at the North 82 Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Members of the local ONWA group from Garden River First Nation and their guests enjoyed the evening of reminiscing.

“She is a very beautiful kwe who is very deserving of this award. She advocates for what she believes is right,” stated Marion Seymour.

Corbiere’s latest outstanding achievement was obtaining Human Rights for all First Nations across Canada. While working on the settling of an estate situated on the reserve, Corbiere discovered that First Nation citizens living on-reserve did not fall under the Canadian Human Rights Code. Corbiere went straight to her Member of Parliament who didn’t believe it. He found out that Corbiere was right. He brought it up in Parliament and all residents on-reserve in Canada are now under the Human Rights Act.

In Garden River First Nation, Corbiere was one of the core people responsible for the construction of a four-lane highway over reserve land. This alternate route lessened the traffic going through the core of Garden River, making life safer for resident drivers, walkers and cyclists.

When Corbiere was working for the Batchewana Band Office, she read all the literature that was available concerning the rights of Indigenous people. During her research, she learned that Highway 17N was built across reserve land without being negotiated. Corbiere and three other women slowed traffic and handed out pamphlets. As a result, the Government negotiated with Batchewana First Nation. With the money that was received in the settlement, Corbiere recommended an arena be built. The Rankin arena was constructed and is enjoyed by Batchewana First Nation and people of the surrounding districts.

Corbiere has played a vital role in assisting the youth of many First Nations. Corbiere initialized and supervised the program that brought students from northern reserves to Sault Ste. Marie to complete their high school requirements. Corbiere assisted Dave Jones in his work with students to build their self-esteem. Corbiere invited hockey teams from northern First Nations to participate in games – this was the beginning in what is now known as the Little NHL.

While employed by Algoma University Corbiere traveled to many northern First Nations to recruit students.

In recent years, she has been vital to our local ONWA group in assisting with writing, submitting and carrying out successful proposals. The ONWA members of our group and their guests were proud to honour Elder Corbiere.