Driftpile women receive prestigious Esquao Awards

Faust resident Violet Campiou, shown at the High Prairie Volunteer Appreciation Banquet April 29, received an Esquao Award in Edmonton May 1 for her tireless volunteer work and commitment to her community. Driftpile First Nation’s Martha Campiou also received an award.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Whenever someone needs a helping hand in Faust or Driftpile, they can call on Violet Campiou. It’s that kind of dedication and caring which earned Campiou an esteemed Esquao Award for her contributions to Alberta’s Aboriginal community in Edmonton May 1. “It’s always nice to be recognized for the work you do,” says Campiou, who lives in Faust but is a member of Driftpile First Nation. “But when you come right down to it, it’s about helping people.” The Esquao Awards program is a special initiative of The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. Martha Campiou, also of Driftpile First Nation, was also recognized. “I feel privileged and honoured to be receiving the Cultural Madge McRee Award,” says Martha Campiou. “I think that the Esquao Awards is a wonderful program because it celebrates our Aboriginal woman. There are a lot of strong and confident young Aboriginal woman out there taking their place in this generation and it is difficult for them to get resources to excel in there endeavours. I’m thrilled and I feel honoured.” As an educator, Martha has been called upon to provide traditional protocols, Cree teachings in ceremony, prayer and language, teachings in the histories of specific cultural items and various crafting techniques. As an artisan, she is recognized as an exceptional bead worker and produces “Hope Bags” - materials used in workshops for the Alberta Teachers Association. Martha has organized numerous provincial and national gatherings and served the Aboriginal community of Edmonton for more than 20 years. With her combined commitment to her culture and community Martha has made a vast contribution in building bridges of understanding, awareness and friendships among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Edmontonians explained nominator, Laura Auger. Specifically, Violet received the Christine Daniels Justice Award. Violet is described as the type of volunteer that a community can’t exist without. She is always available to lend a hand, whether it requires working the bingo, selling raffle tickets, donating the prizes or even mopping the floor - she is always there. Violet also serves Faust on the M.D. of Big Lakes Council. She was a supportive wife to her late husband, Peter, through his political life in the Métis Nation of Alberta and afterward was a loyal and dedicated caregiver to him. Violet is a pillar of strength in her community and family and is highly regard for her endless generosity and energetic personality. People in the Lesser Slave Lake area can see the ceremony on CTV Edmonton June 20 at 9 a.m. and Aug. 4 at noon. IAAW president and founder, Muriel Stanley-Venne, says honouring the women is an important source of inspiration. “Sharing a formal celebration of our Aboriginal women’s accomplishments is extremely vital, as all too often their vast contributions to the rich fabric of Alberta is overlooked,” says Stanley-Venne. Stanley-Venne founded the IAAW in 1995 and established the Esquao Awards program in 1996. Since the inception of the awards program, over 300 Aboriginal women have been honoured.

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