Three U of S Alumni Receive Aboriginal Achievement Awards

Three of the 14 National Aboriginal Achievement Award recipients for 2009 are U of S alumni.

By Derrick Kunz

The awards will be given out by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation at its 16th annual gala event in Winnipeg on Friday, March 6, 2009

Reverend Stan Cuthand will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award, Cecil King will receive the Education award and Candace Grier-Lowe will receive the Health award.

Rev. Stan Cuthand (LTh'44) was born on the Little Pine Reserve in Saskatchewan in 1914 and graduated from Emmanuel College in 1944. He spent decades ministering to northern Alberta and Saskatchewan hunters, trappers and woodsmen. Cuthand's command of the Cree language lead him to act as a translator for Indian Affairs, enabling Elders and Chiefs to be involved in decision making processes. Among his many achievements are involvement in drafting the constitution for the Saskatchewan Federation of Indians (now the Saskatchewan Federation of Indian Nations), being the first to teach Cree at a post-secondary level and translating the Bible into Cree—something Cuthand considers his biggest accomplishment.

Cecil King (BEd'73, MEd'75) created the Indian Teacher Education Program for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians, which has graduated over 1,200 Aboriginal teachers. A major focus of King's career has been the promotion of Ojibwa language, illustrated by his 8,000 word Ojibwa dictionary. He has been recognized for his work on Ojibwa language, culture and history.

Candace Grier-Lowe (DVM'05) is not only one of a small number of Aboriginal doctors of veterinary medicine, she also has the distinction of being the only person in the world in a combined dental residency and master of veterinary science degree program. Good thing she did not listen to her high school guidance counselor who recommended she not go to university.

For more information on the awards and recipients visit the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards website
Sources: National Aboriginal Achievement Federation, On Campus News, Saskatoon StarPhoenix