On May 9, 2024, Honouring Nations Canada, an initiative of Fulbright Canada, hosted an awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of seven Indigenous nations from across the country. The day featured a public event at the National Arts Center, followed by a private reception and dinner at the iconic Rideau Club in Ottawa. The awardees included the Tŝilhqot’in National Government, the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, the Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation (EECF), the Stoney Nakoda Tribal Administration, the First Nations Health Authority, the Nunavut Quest Dog Team Committee, and the Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK).
The awards ceremony highlighted the importance of Indigenous ways of knowing in areas that included natural resources management, community development, local governance, education, and knowledge sharing. The featured projects are shining examples of how Indigenous nations lead their communities with innovative and impactful governance practices. According to Robin McLay, Regional Director of Fulbright Canada West and Honouring Nations Canada Director, “Fulbright Canada’s inaugural Honouring Nations awards underscored the profound impact of Indigenous-led economic, social, and cultural development across Canada. A recurring theme was the vital role of sovereignty, Indigenous governance, and Indigenous ways of knowing in fostering sustainable, inclusive, and successful development outcomes. We aim to document some of these efforts through the creation of policy research briefs and other thought leadership resources, contributing to knowledge sharing and producing evidence and insights that will serve to inform policy and decision-making on many levels.”
The event also paid tribute to the life of Bill Montour, an exemplary Indigenous leader, champion of educational opportunities for Indigenous youth, and a founding member of the HNC Circle of Advisors. “The Bill Montour award, in particular, highlighted the importance of leadership and governance as foundational pillars of development”, stated McLay. Pamela Montour, Bill’s widow, reminded the gathering that Bill lived his life and exercised his leadership based on his values and beliefs. According to Pam, “He always said that there were only two things that people had to do in life and that is to be kind and be thankful”.
The Honouring Nations Canada National Good Governance Awards ceremony celebrated best practices and served as a testament to the dedication, innovation, and leadership of Indigenous Nations across Canada.
For more information on our partners and the Honouring Nations Canada Program, visit the Honouring Nations Canada webpage. For any questions regarding Honouring Nations Canada, please contact us at honouringnations@fulbright.ca.