Inuvik (Aug 28/06) - Five members of the Gwich'in community were honoured on Aug. 18, as the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) held its second annual Achievement Award ceremony.

Prizes were given to members showing "leadership or exceptional dedication, bringing credit to the Gwich'in Nation."

One of the winners was Neil Colin, from Fort McPherson, who takes elders on outdoor trips and teaches people to hunt.

"It was not expected, but I like it!" he said.

The award makes him feel especially proud he said because it comes from the Gwich'in community. "It makes me stronger."

Other winners included the late Shirley Kyikavichik of Inuvik, Karen Wright-Fraser of Yellowknife and Jolene Mae Bourque of Inuvik.

Former Tsiigehtchic chief Hycinthe Andre, who died a week after his son Noel attended the ceremony, also received a Lifetime Achievement award.

Mary Ann Ross, vice-president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, said she was glad Chief Andre received his prize before passing away.

He died on Aug. 22 at the age of 96.

"It's a very big award for us," she said. "We recognize people from all walks of life, people making great strides."

Laurence Norbert, Communications Advisor for the GTC, said the awards are very important.

"It's our way to recognize people who've contributed, whether to culture, the economy or other things," he said.

The success of the ceremony - and the abundance of worthy candidates - is a good sign for the Gwich'in community, he added. "Forty years ago, we had few grads and few nurses. But now we have many people succeeding in business and health."

Honorees:

- Neil Colin, of Fort McPherson: for his contribution to Gwich'in land. He is a hunter, trapper, fisherman, storyteller, counsellor and family man. Born in 1933 at Destruction City near Rat River, he has lived off the land for the past 70 years. He often spends time telling stories to students at Chief Julius School.

- the late Shirley Kyikavichik of Inuvik for her contribution to Gwich'in culture. Born in 1945, she graduated from the certified nursing aide program in 1968 and worked at Inuvik Regional Hospital for 28 years. She always spoke Gwich'in to those who understood the language and learned to sew at an early age.

- Jolene Mae Bourque for her contribution to Gwich'in Youth. She is entering her third year of a Bachelor of Education degree program in Fort Smith. A single parent, she has dropped out of high school, but returned to earn her diploma and is regarded as a wonderful role model for all youth.

- Karen Wright-Fraser of Yellowknife for her contribution to Gwich'in economy. She led the Gwich'in clothing project that restored traditional clothing a few years ago, helping co-ordinate seamstresses in the communities who sewed the clothing pieces together.

- the late Hycinthe Andre, of Tsiigehtchic, for lifetime achievement. He died a few days after learning he received the award. The longest serving chief in the Gwich'in area, Andre was one of the last remaining traditional leaders. The Chief Hycinthe Andrew Cultural Centre in Tsiigehtchic was named after him in recognition of his many years of service.