b'2024 INDSPIRE AWARDSWelcoming the guests that eveningexperience, and about why hegranddaughter Daisy, sharing some were Prof. Claudette Commanda,believes traditional languages arereflections of her own. It was the Chancellor of the University ofcritically important for the future ofvery first time an Indspire award Ottawa and an Indspire Laureateall Indigenous communities, as wellhad been presented posthumously.(Culture, Heritage & Spiritualityas Turtle Island as a whole. 2020), and her son FrankieAfter the Gala came to a poignant Cote, Councillor of Kitigan ZibiAward-winning soprano andend, and as the guests lingered in Anishinabeg First Nation. Dynamiccomposer Deantha Edmunds,the Shaw Centre lobby for one last MC Stan Wesley, a longtime friendalong with Charlotte Qamaniqround of laughter and conversation of Indspire, then set the stageand Tamara Takpannie, enchantedbefore heading out into the rain, for a magical evening with histhe guests with a unique fusion ofit was clear that the spirit of this characteristic blend of energy andclassical techniques and Inuit tradi- magical evening was an enduring thoughtfulness. tional singing. JUNO award-winningone. It would herald yet another artist William Prince finished the Her Excellency the Governorevenings entertainment with afirst later in the year, when the General Mary May Simon, herselfsmooth, richly-textured set thatIndspire Awards appeared in an an Indspire Laureate (Environmententhralled the guests, setting theinnovative format produced by1996), shared some thoughtsmood for a contemplative first:the award-winning Indigenous about the evenings significance the presentation of the 2024Geographic team. Spirit Journeys, not just for the Laureates, but alsoLifetime Achievement Award.featuring the vignettes filmed in for Indigenous communities acrosseach Laureates community as well Turtle Island. Numerous chiefs,This years Lifetime Achievementas footage from the Gala dinner in regional chiefs, senators, LaureatesAward recipient was Thomas V.an innovative animated narrative and CEOs were all in attendanceHill, renowned for his decades-longframe, was broadcast on APTN and and eager to honour the accom- contributions to Indigenous art andCBC on June 21, 2024, National plishments of the 2024 Laureatescuratorship in Canada. Sadly, heIndigenous Peoples Day. It was also while enjoying delicious Indigenouspassed away in November 2023, cuisine inspired by the work of Chefshortly after receiving the news ofmade widely available on YouTube. David Wolfman, another Indspirehis award. In a moving moment,Rain, sun, laughter and tears: they Laureate (Arts2022).Indspire President & CEO Mike DeGagn shared some reflectionswere all part of the 2024 Indspire As well as being honoured on stage,about Hills remarkable legacy,Awards celebrationsand they were the 2024 Laureates were honouredand then Hills partner, Robertaall a fitting reflection of the many on screen, with moments fromJamieson, accepted his awardways in which multiple generations personal vignettes shared with thewith their daughter Jessica andhonour Indigenous excellence.audience. Each Laureates vignette had been filmed in their respective communities, enabling their family, friends and community to share personal reflections on their lifestmcollege.ca and work. These moving moments were a powerful addition to the on-stage award presentations.NOTABLE FIRSTSThe star-studded evening featured some notable firsts, including the first-ever Indspire Award presented for Language. Ronald Eric Ignace, the very first Commissioner of Indigenous Languages in Canada, isA welcoming liberal arts college on the USask campus in Saskatoon. a survivor of the former KamloopsOver 220 STM offerings in 19 subject areas - available to all USask students. Residential School. During hisIndigenous students will find a great deal of transition support and opportunities for vignette, he spoke meaningfullycommunity building at STM, including small class sizes, a welcoming, diverse envi-and movingly about the manyronment, Indigenous initiatives, supportive faculty, student clubs, social events, and ways in which language helpedadditional opportunities for Indigenous student scholarships and bursaries.to sustain him throughout that Contact 306-966-8900/ 1-800-667-2019stmcollege.ca2024indspiration45'