Elementary Student Zone: Biographies
Many and more
Aboriginal notables are represented on the Canadian
Aboriginal Newspaper site at
http://www.ammsa.com/windspeaker/index.htm.
Choose the link "People of Honour."
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Joseph and Josephine Crowshoe
Joseph is keeper of the Siksika
(Blackfoot) (Siksika (Blackfoot)) short thunder medicine bundle.
Josephine is the keeper of the Sun Dance medicine bundle. They are the
only remaining traditional Peigan Elders of the Nation. They have worked
to preserve their culture and bridge the gap between the
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
People of Alberta.
Sharon and Shirly Firth
The Firth twins were born in Aklavik, NWT,
but grew up in Inuvik. There they often helped their father with his
trap lines. They learned to ski from Father Mouchet a local priest, and
discovered they had a natural talent for cross-county skiing. In total,
they won a combined 48 Canadian championships.
Chief Dan George
Chief Dan George, a member of the Salish
Band, was born in 1899 in British Columbia. His Salish name was Geswanouth Slahoot. Chief Dan George devoted himself to improving the understanding of Aboriginal culture. He worked as a dockworker and logger until he was 60 and was Chief for the Tslieil-Waututh Band from 1951 to 1963. His acting career began at age 59, and in 1970, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the movie
"Little Big Man."
Elijah Harper
Elijah was the first Treaty First Nations
person elected in Manitoba as a provincial politician. He served as a
member of parliament from 1981-1992. Elijah is known for refusing to
support the Meech Lake Accord, as it did not guarantee
Aboriginal rights. His refusal
prevented the Accord from becoming law.
Tomson Highway
Tomson Highway was born in Manitoba. His first language is Cree and he is an esteemed playwright, novelist, and children's author. Highway holds a Bachelors degree in Music as well as English. He is the recipient of three honorary degrees. In 1994, he received the Order of Canada and in 2000,
Maclean's magazine listed him as one of the top 100 most important people in Canada.
Waneek Horn
Waneek Horn is a member of the Kahnawake
Mohawk First Nation located near Montreal, Quebec. She is the daughter
of Kahn-tineta Horn, a notable Mohawk activist, teacher and speaker for
First Nations rights. While in university, she won the title Female
Athlete of the Year three times. Her accomplishments include winning a
gold medal at the 1999 Pan Am Games and participating as co-captain of
the water polo team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She has been a
part-time TV host for the Aboriginal
Peoples Television Network.
Tom Jackson
Tom Jackson was born on the One Arrow Cree
Nation reserve in Saskatchewan and grew up in Alberta. He later moved to
Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived as a homeless person. He became a
musical, television, film, and stage performer. He is known for his role
in the television series "North of 60" and he has been in hundreds of
other productions. He began and starred in the cross-Canada Christmas
benefit "The Huron Carole."
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