OFFICIAL AWARDS WEBSITE
2026 NOMINATIONS OPEN MAY 31st
Dedicated to recognizing outstanding individuals making a difference in their communities. Nominations are now open for the 2025 Okimaw Awards. Join us in celebrating those who inspire change and create a positive impact.
About Us
Welcome to the official website for the Okimaw Awards!
Where we celebrate and acknowledge Indigenous men throughout Alberta for their contributions in various fields including:
Community Music & Art Politics Law Enforcement & Justice Academics Language & Culture Service & Public Safety
Health & Medicine Youth Mentorship and more!
Our Recipients
Inaugural
2022 7 Teaching Awards
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Humility | Andy Alook
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Honesty | Stirling John
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Respect | Bert Auger
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Courage | Gilman Cardinal
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Wisdom | Lloyd Cardinal
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Truth | Lance Cardinal
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Love | Georgie Isadore
2022 Okimaw Awards
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Service and public safety: Ralph Cardinal
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Cultural revitalization: Dan Fox
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Business Leader: Vernon Jr. Chiefmoon
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Environmental Stewardship: Bob Montgomery
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Human Rights & Advocacy: Teddy Manywounds
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Knowledge Seeker: Jamie Chalifoux
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Health & Medicine: Dr. James Makokis
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Youth Leadership: Cory Nicotine
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Father Figure: Peter Brule
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Jimmy Herman Creative Arts Award: Bill LeBlanc & Shane Yellowbird (posthumously)
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Mike Gladue Wounded Warrior Award: Christopher Haineault
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Lifetime Journey Award: Chief Wilton Littlechild
2022
2023 7 Teaching Awards
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Humility - Harold Rosher
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Honesty - Eric Wilde
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Respect - AJ Starlight
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Courage - Mike Day
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Wisdom - Garrett
Tomlinson -
Truth - George Desjarlais
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Love - Curtis Cardinal
2023 Okimaw Awards
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Service and Public Safety - Joseph Patenaude
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Cultural Revitalization - Greg Cardinal
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Jimmy Herman Creative Arts - Gene Brave Rock
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Shane Yellowbird Music - Curt Young
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Business Leader - Michael Yuzicapi
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Human Rights and Advocacy - Adam North Peigan
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Environmental Stewardship - Michael Gubbels
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Knowledge Seeker - Jacob Lightning
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Health & Medicine - Marcel Desjarlais
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Youth Leadership Mentorship - Lyle Tootoosis
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Father Figure - Jason Arcand
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Mike Gladue Wounded Warrior - Brian Ross
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Lifetime Journey Award - Francis Whiskeyjack
2023
2024 7 Teaching Awards
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Humility - Mike Young
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Honesty - JR Saddleback
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Respect - Ryan Davis
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Courage - Michael J. Fraser
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Wisdom - Lynn Jonasson
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Truth - Tony Tootoosis
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Love - Gordon Gladue
2024 Okimaw Awards
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Service and Public Safety - Paul Courtoreille
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Cultural Revitalization - Mark McKennitt
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Jimmy Herman Creative Arts - Rodney McLeod
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Shane Yellowbird Music - Trent Agecoutay
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Business Leader - Harlee Courtepatte
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Human Rights and Advocacy - Dennis Paul
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Environmental Stewardship - Michael Gubbels
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Knowledge Seeker - Reggie Gladue
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Health & Medicine - Richard Jenkins
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Youth Leadership Mentorship - Justin Twin
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Father Figure - Manny Meneen
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Mike Gladue Wounded Warrior - Tyson Martell
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Lifetime Journey Award - Alex Janvier
2024
2025 7 Teaching Awards
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Humility - Neil Makokis
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Honesty - Aaron Paquette
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Respect - Marcus Cruz
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Courage - Kurt Lightning
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Wisdom - Russell Auger
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Truth - Daniel Poitras
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Love - Blair Gladue
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Honorary Love - Chase Goulet-Pantherbone
2025 Okimaw Awards
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Service and Public Safety - Lambert Fox
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Cultural Revitalization - Ryan Arcand
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Jimmy Herman Creative Arts - Conway Kootenay
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Shane Yellowbird Music - Armond Duck Chief
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Business Leader - Justin Gladue
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Human Rights and Advocacy - Tom Hunter
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Youth Leadership - Talon Giroux
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Father Figure - Sonny Lightning
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Mike Gladue - Wounded Warrior - Pablo Vasconez
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Lifetime Journey Award - Marvin C. Littlechild
2025
2026 7 Teaching Awards
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Humility - TBA
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Honesty - TBA
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Respect - TBA
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Courage - Kurt Lightning
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Wisdom - TBA
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Truth - TBA
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Love - TBA
2025 Okimaw Awards
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Service and Public Safety - TBA
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Cultural Revitalization - TBA
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Jimmy Herman Creative Arts - TBA
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Shane Yellowbird Music - TBA
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Business Leader - TBA
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Human Rights and Advocacy - TBA
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Youth Leadership - TBA
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Father Figure - TBA
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Mike Gladue - Wounded Warrior - TBA
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Lifetime Journey Award - TBA
2026
Our Previous Generous Sponsors
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Gallery
Please enjoy the photos from the 2023 awards.
Photos by Indigital Media and Darren Brule
About The Awards
Founder, Janice Randhile
It started as an idea by our founder Janice Randhile. That idea developed into a heart beat. It started to developed ears to hear from the people who contributed over the years, it developed eyes to see our dream, and it eventually developed wings to take off and come to fruition.
After 12 years, that idea became a reality on November 18th, 2022 and continues on as an annual event.
Our Elders :
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Theresa Corky Larsen Jonasson - Treaty 6
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Charlie Fox - Treaty 7
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Keith and Karen Chiefmoon - Treaty 7
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Bert Auger - Treaty 8
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Francis Whiskeyjack - Treaty 6
The Okimaw Executive Committee:
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Founder - Janice Randhile
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Mathew Patenaude
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Darren Brule
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Brenda Maire
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Michael Gubbels
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Damian Abrahams
Our Past and Current Contributors:
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Mary-Jo Mistanask
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Lance Scout
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Lewis Cardinal
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Natashia Cardinal
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Summer Leigh
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Rod Ward - Horsekeeper
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Sheldon Hughes
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Delilah Mah
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Jules Thomas
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Kat McIntyre
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Jaimie Chalifoux
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Harley Courtepatte
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Tyson Martell
Hiy Hiy!