Alderville First Nation member has work recognized with provincial award

By Sam Laskaris

DUCLOS POINT— Though Suzanne Smoke is now working remotely, she did not mind going the extra mile for her clients.

Smoke, a member of Alderville First Nation, is now living in Duclos Point, a community on the shores of Lake Simcoe.

Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, she would spend a total of four hours each day commuting to her job in Parry Sound.

Smoke is the program coordinator and provides outreach for the Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services.

Though she is now working remotely, Smoke did not mind the lengthy trips to her Parry Sound office and then back home each day.

“It’s worth it,” she said.

That is because Smoke realizes she is doing valuable work as an advocate for Indigenous people, through her work in anti-human trafficking.

“It’s about having safe and culturally-sensitive access to services for vulnerable Indigenous women,” Smoke said of her work.

Smoke added that a large percentage of those who have been involved in human trafficking in the country are Indigenous.

“I think Indigenous women make up more than 50 per cent of the victims in Canada,” she said.

That is a huge percentage considering less than an estimated five per cent of the country’s population identify as Indigenous.

Smoke also took on some additional responsibilities this year. Since May, she has also been working part-time as the Indigenous outreach and wellness coordinator for the TAIBU Community Health Centre in Scarborough.

Her work with this centre is also done remotely.

Smoke’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; she was selected as one of eight recipients this year for the Atlohsa Peace Awards.

These awards, open to Ontario residents who are either Indigenous or non-Indigenous people, have been presented annually since 2018 by Atlohsa Family Healing Services (AFHS) in London, Ont.

AFHS is a non-profitable charitable organization whose goal is to strengthen the community with Indigenous-led programs and services offering holistic healing and wellness.

Recipients of Atlohsa Peace Awards are recognized for having made outstanding contributions and inspiring social change in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, an online awards ceremony for this year’s winners was held on Dec. 10.

“There’s some tremendous people [that won awards] this year,” Smoke said. “I’m really honoured there were so many other tremendous people that were honoured.”

The award winners embody the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which are bravery, honesty, humility, love, respect, truth, and wisdom.

One of the eight recipients was recognized with a Rising Star Award, an accolade reserved for an individual under the age of 25.

This year’s awards ceremony featured Senator Murray Sinclair, who delivered the keynote address.

The event also included performances from musical artists Logan Staats and Crystal Shawanda.

As in previous years, proceeds from the awards ceremony, which featured a pay-what-you-can system, went to the Zhaawanong Women’s Shelter, which is operated by AFHS.

Representatives from the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres and the Love Project, an organization in the York Region community of Keswick whose work includes providing special event projects for women through shelters, nominated Smoke for her award.

Smoke believes she was not just honoured for her work efforts in 2020.

“I think it’s my work over the years and for building trust and rapport with women in the communities,” she said.