Two Northern Manitoban women are among the 50 nominees for YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg Women of Distinction Awards, both in the community champion category.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson of Oxford House and Natashia Moodie, a Thompson resident and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation member, are up for the community champion award along with five other women.
“Sheila has overcome great adversity as the first woman elected Grand Chief in Northern Manitoba,” said North Wilson’s nomination, submitted by Leah Gazan. “Sheila is truly a leader of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community alike. She has brought awareness to issues surrounding the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, including the creation of the hashtag #MMIW that is widely used on social media to spread awareness of the crises. She recently released the first part of a two-part documentary she co-produced that explores factors that place young women at risk to be exploited and has led many initiatives to advance indigenous issues both locally and nationally.”
Moodie’s nomination, submitted by Hannah Thorne, says: “Natashia is known for her leadership skills and positive energy. Her most recent endeavour, the Beauty Within Project, provides pregnant women with the support and assistance they need to provide for a new baby. The Beauty Within Project also helps fund maternity shoots for northern mothers to promote healthy body image and pride in motherhood during pregnancy. Natashia was the recipient of the 2001 Assembly of Manitoba Chief Awards for Outstanding Contribution to First Nations Recognition, 2001 Manitoba Achievement Award for the Moody x2 Anti Bullying Campaign and was named the 2001 Miss Manitoba First Nations Role Model for Aboriginal Youth.”
The YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg Women of Distinction awards will be presented May 4 at a ceremony hosted by former Churchill riding Liberal MP Tina Keeper, a member of Norway House Cree Nation and a film producer, who played the role of RCMP officer Michelle Kenidi in the TV series North of 60.
