The finishing touches are being put on the Atlohsa Peace Awards which, like many events in 2020, were forced to pivot to a virtual format due to COVID-19.
The annual awards honouring people across Ontario who are inspiring social change in the spirit of truth and reconciliation will be handed out online on Thursday. This year, ten people will be recognized in eight award categories.
Award recipients include Shawn Johnston and Amy Smoke, who created a camp for Indigenous youth; former Executive Director of Anova Shelley Yeo; Dakota Brant, a firefighter and advocate for victims of trauma; children's entertainer Saidat Vandenberg, who performs shows focused on kindness, inclusivity, and empowerment; TVDSB Learning Coordinator for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education Charlene Camillo; Elders Mary Lou and Dan Smoke, who have spent decades ensuring First Nation stories are heard; and Suzanne Smoke, an Indigenous peoples advocate working in anti-human trafficking for Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services.
The rising star award, given to a person under the age of 25, will be presented to Londoner Sierra Jamieson. Engaging in activism since high school, Jamieson organized a pow wow at her school and brought Indigenous issues to her peers. She is currently studying to become a police officer in hopes of changing public perceptions of Indigenous women and showcasing their capabilities.
Last year's awards were handed out in front of a sold-out crowd, something that isn't possible this year as the province has capped indoor gatherings at 50 people.
"We are absolutely going to miss that feeling of that packed house that we had, but through going virtual we have been able to reach more people than we have been in the past," said Alana Lees, director of development with Atlohsa Family Healing Services. "It opens it up to an entirely new audience. People who may not have been able to pay the $94 for the tickets last year, are going to be able to see this incredible display of wisdom, inspiration and amazing social change that these honourees represent."
Instead of charging a set admission to the virtual awards, this year is a "pay what you can" system. All proceeds from the event will go to Atlohsa’s Zhaawanong 24 hour emergency women’s shelter, which offers Indigenous-led crisis support to women and children at risk of violence, abuse, and homelessness.
"While we do get some government funding for the shelter there is always a gap and so we need to fundraise every year to be able to support the needs of the programs and services that we offer," said Lees. "With COVID-19 people have been isolated with their abusers and so we are seeing a higher need for these services and for these programs."
Nearly 200 women and 50 children received support from the shelter last year. Another 650 crisis calls were fielded by the downtown London non-profit organization.
The awards show has raised more than $80,000 for the shelter since 2018.
In addition to the honourees, Thursday's event will feature live performances from award-winning artists Logan Staats and Crystal Shawanda and a keynote address by Senator Murray Sinclair, the first Indigenous judge to be appointed in Manitoba.
Tickets for the 2020 Atlohsa Peace Awards are available at AtlohsaPeaceAwards.com.
