The Honourable Vic Toews, Regional Minister for Manitoba and Member of Parliament for Provencher, presented the Diamond Jubilee medal to Leslie Spillett, Executive Director of Ka Ni Kanichihk. Ka Ni Kanichihk is a registered non-profit organization that provides programs and services that focus on building the strength and resilience of aboriginal peoples.
“Leslie’s commitment to the preservation and protection of Aboriginal culture, as well as her recognition of the importance of education is having a significant impact on current and future generations of Indigenous Peoples,” said Minister Toews. “We are lucky to have a community leader in Winnipeg with her level of passion and dedication.”
Leslie Spillett has been an essential part of Ka Ni Kanichihk’s program development and was the driving force behind the creation of organizations such as Mother of Red Nations Women’s Council of Manitoba and Anishinaabe Oway-Ishi Inc., which was created to recognize exceptional accomplishments of Manitoba’s Indigenous youth.
Leslie also founded the Native Women Association of Canada’s Sisters in Spirit campaign and the Keeping the Fires Burning event, which identifies the importance of traditional knowledge in restoring the cultural identity of Indigenous women in their communities.
2012 marks the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark this historic event and honour the significant contributions and achievements of Canadians.
To be eligible for this honour, a person must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, must have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
For more information on the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and nomination process, please visit www.gg.ca.
