PROFILES

 

Canadian Aboriginal Women (Part V)

By Essam Farag

During my convocation ceremony at the University of Guelph in February 2004, a special person was awarded an honourary doctorate of laws. This woman was Dr. Roberta Jamieson, an Aboriginal lawyer and distinguished Canadian celebrity. Her powerful and moving lecture stuck in my memory and challenged me to write about the great achievements of Aboriginal woman in all aspects of Canadian society - a sector of the Canadian fabric that is seldom recognized. This article is a continuation of the articles presented in the last three issues, which was dedicated to Dr. Jamieson and all women belonging to minority groups in appreciation for their contributions.

This series about Canadian Aboriginal Women, seeks to make the world more knowledgeable about the Aboriginal population and challenge youth around the world to strive to achieve success regardless of the hurdles they might face, with the dream of creating a better society for future generations. Interestingly, the 2001 Canadian Census figure indicate that about 500 aboriginal people (Indians, Metis and Inuits) have doctoral degrees, about 1,500 have Masters' degrees and about 14,000 have undergraduate degrees. This article presents interesting profiles of two aboriginal women: Sheila Watt-Cloutier and Vicki Wong.

Sheila Watt-Cloutier: The Inuit Leader Nominated for the Nobel 2007
 

The Canadian Inuit activist, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, 53, originally from Quebec, and now living in Iqalut, Nunavut, is the chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference. It is an organization representing about 155,000 Inuit living in Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia.

She has worked on a range of social and environmental issues affecting the Inuit, and has most recently focussed on global climate change. She has received awards and honours for her work on these issues, including Norway's Sophie Environment Prize in 2005, for drawing attention to the impact of climate change and pollution on the traditional lifestyles of Arctic's indigenous people and others.

Last November, it was reported that she was nominated for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, with the former US Vice-President, Al Gore. Other nominees included Vietnamese monk, Thich Quang Do and Sail Training International, a British-based charity helping young people develop through sailing. In 2004, the Nobel Peace Prize went to Kenyan environmentalist, Wangari Maothai, who focused on ecological problems as a source of conflict. In 2006, there were 191 nominations for the prize that went to Bangladeshi professor, Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank that he founded to help the poor.

2002:  Global Environment Award, World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations - Washington, DC, USA (On behalf of ICC Canada)^[6]

2004: National Aboriginal Achievement Award (Environment), National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation - Ontario, Canada

2005: Sophie Prize, The Sophie Foundation - Oslo, Norway^[7] , Champion of the Earth Award, United Nations Environment Programme - Nairobi, Kenya^[8], Northern Medal, Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson - Ottawa, Canada^[9]

2006: International Environmental Leadership Award, 10th Annual Green Cross Millennium Awards, hosted by Global Green, USA - Los Angeles, USA^[10] , Honorary Doctorate of Law, University of Winnipeg - Winnipeg, Canada^[11] , Citation of Lifetime Achievement, Canadian Environment Awards - Vancouver, Canada^[12] , International Environment Award, Gala 2006, Earth Day Canada - Toronto, Canada, Order of Greenland, Inuit Circumpolar Conference General Assembly - Barrow, Alaska, USA , Officer of the Order of Canada - Ottawa, Canada^[14]

2007: Rachel Carson Prize - Stavanger, Norway^[17] , Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Award, United Nations Human Development Awards - New York, USA^[18]

Vicki Wong - Delving into the Aboriginal Mindset
 

Vicki Wong, 31, is the designer of the 2010 Winter Olympic mascots, with her partner, Michael Murphy in their company, Meomi. They did a lot of research into aboriginal mythology and British Columbian culture, in order to come up with their designs of the 2010 Olympic mascots: Miga, Quatchi, and Sumi. Vicki Wong was born in Vancouver, British Columbia

Researching and drawing on First Nations cultures, Wong made these mascots "shape-shifters," or transformation figures.  She discovered a story about how killer whales would transform into spirit-bears to come onto land.  As well the Thunderbird is a mythical figure that is featured in transformation masks.  Who else but somebody knowledgeable about BC First Nations culture and the cultural fusion aspects of Vancouver would be able to present this unique flavour for the Vancouver mascots?  And did you hear?  Vicki Wong is a "born in Vancouver" Canadian! "We had about three months to do research and fill up sketch books of ideas. We just drew and drew and drew,” Wong said, adding she and Murphy were inspired by aboriginal art they found in B.C. She mentioned, "it all just came together in our heads. They represent our values, environmentalism, our affinity with nature, and the fact we all have different backgrounds."

The three mascots represent a sea bear, "Miga", a legendary sasquatch, "Quatchi" and animal spirit hybrid, "Sumi". These are inspired by aboriginal myths and the provinces wild life. The petite black and white "Miga", was clearly the mascot of choice among the youngsters, since she is so small and cute. These mascots can play a huge role, drawing attention to the Games and wiping up enthusiasm.

Vicki Wong also published her first children's book, The Octonauts & the Only Lonely Monster in 2006. 

Meomi is dedicated to the creation of compelling visual experiences and narratives. MEOMI is Vicki Wong (Vancouver) and Michael Murphy (LA). Meomi's artwork has been featured in numerous illustration and design books, while their characters have appeared on clothing, toys, merchandise, and magazines worldwide. Meomi has created art for such clients as Google, Electronic Arts, Girls Inc., Time Out Magazine, Cyworld, Nick Jr., Bang-on Clothing, and CBC4Kids.

Besides client work, Meomi also moonlights as the authors and illustrators behind the Octonauts children book series. Meomi spends much of their spare time, sitting around in the attic, making up silly stories, drinking tea and drawing strange creatures. (Many of which are available for licensing.)

Essam Farag, BA Honours (Dalhousie), MA (Guelph) is the Production Editor of the Ambassadors Magazine. Email: essamfarag@ambassadors.net 
 

www.ambassadors.net
mail@ambassadors.net