“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Annie Ned, my grandmother, my mentor, because she was my first teacher.  She was a medicine woman who shared her teachings with others.  I spent the first five years of my life with her.”
Barb Hume, Southern Tutchone/Tlingit
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Audrey Waite because she is a tireless advocate for the health and well-being of Aboriginal children.”
Rena Morrison, Mi'kmaq
 
Picture: Meet Doris Weislein, Winner of 2006 Aboriginal Woman of Distinction Awards presented at this year's conference gala dinner.
Doris is well-known for her contributions to the Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry, Aboriginal Women's Council and Aboriginal Head Start programs in Comox Valley.
 
She designed and created her own traditional regalia, including the detailed beadwork.  Congratulations, Doris!
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Doris Weislein becauseher leadership is an inspiration in our community.”            Pauline Weaver, Cree Nation





 
More responses:
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Aunti Angel because she is very proud of where she came from.  She always said, "my dad is my government, he worked hard and raised me up not an Indian Agent.”
Shirley Laverdure, Kaska
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Barb Cameron because she has mentored me in a lot of ways in leadership.”
Doris Bear, Peguis First Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Bea Shuwanda because she is very energetic and outgoing, a happy spirit.”       Theresa Harden, Métis Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Bernie Williams & Buffy St. Marie because she's the all Women I'd love to be... and it's possible.”   Reta Blind, Cree Elder
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Bernie Williams because she is a true warrior who lives her talk every day on the streets on the downtown eastside streets of Vancouver.  She shows no fear of speaking out for the injustice.”  Rose Henry, Sliammon
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Bernie Williams because she's a leader and stands up for what she believes in - especially when it comes to our people.”   Carol Martin, Gitxan/Nisgaa
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Bev Jacobs because she has worked so hard with the "sisters in spirit" campaign.  Her dedication to raising awareness on Aboriginal Women's Issues to the Global arena to bring change locally.”    Verna McGregor, Algonquin Anishinabe
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Bev Jacobs because she is powerful, passionate and really cares about us Indigenous women and works hard to make positive change for us.”                                          Theresa Ducharme, Métis
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Bonni Hanuse because this Coast Salish woman (Musqueam and Alert Bay) has come back to her roots and shows a way to integrate the wisdom of different cultures.”      Marg Mahan, Métis Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Brenda Chambers because she has given me inspiration on women and a will to go on.”        Louise Dixon, Heiltsuk
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Brenda Chambers because she went on to start her own successful business.”
Donna Smith, Southern Tutchine, Champagne, Aishihik
 
“Aboriginal Women who inspires me are Buffy St. Marie & Roseanne Archibald because they are both awesome!”                                                             Charlene Pittman 
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Buffy St. Marie because she has a soft, gentle way of speaking to the audience and catching their attention with strength .”
Marr Dorvault, Gitxsan, Downtown Eastside Women's Center Elder's Council
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Debbie Abbott because she is so involved on behalf of the Aboriginal communities.”       Anita Dick, Niakapmx
 
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Doris Munger because she has been an uplifting spirit around here.  She worked for Ministry of Forest and now she is on a journey as a Native singer.  She is promoting her voice and her CD now.”
Margie Lake, Lake Babine Nation
 
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Doris Weislein.”    Tina Leveque, Ojibwe
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Edna Garcia because she encouraged me to accept life and to enjoy now - and to let go of the past.”
Darlene Garcia, Upper Nicola Indian Band
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Emma Alfed, mother-in law because she has a sense of humour that would make a buddist monk laugh.  She ran our local treatment centre for 15 years and is so forgiving, accepting and loving.”
Carol Perrault, Tsimshian
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Florence Louie because she knows who she is! She is a woman from Lilooet, a granny and a keeper of women's role. She learned the language that was taken from her and she supports education, even though she has little formal education herself.”
Rene Inkster, Métis Nation of BC
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Florence Sutherland because she is my Mother and a role model to me. She taught me things as I was growing up and has inspired me to be where, and who, I am today.”
            Mary Sutherland, Peguis, MB Cree Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Francine Whiteduck because she is very successful in her life and business, and still remains very connected to her community and committed to empowering Aboriginal women.”
Kathryn Fournier, Cree/PinaymooTang FN
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Gina Scarpino because she works so hard in the community. She's a single parent, a mom, an artist who makes masks of deer hide, does quilling, makes hand-bag medecien pouches and is a UBC student taking a Masters Degree in Social Work!”
Dianne Monds, Métis Family Services Society in Surrey, Métis/ Ojibway Nation
 
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Jeannie Cranmer because she works within the corporate sector to make positive change in her circle of influence and for all Aboriginal employees who enter the corporate world.  It sometimes feels thankless, but she always perserveres with a positive attitude for change.”
Gail Murray, Cree/Blood Nation
 
“Two Aboriginal Woman who inspire me is  Jerilyn and Vanessa Webster, my daughters, because they are so sweet, smart and beautiful.  They love our native community - especially the youth.”            
 Barbara Webster, Six Nations, living in Vancouver, BC
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Jodie Lynn Waddilove because she is young and ambitious.  Jodie Lynn great role model for the Youth.”
Ruby Landry, Dene (Slavey)
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Jodie Lynn Waddilove.”
Diane Simba, Dené
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Chief Judith Sayer.”
Pam Frand, Nuu-chul-nulth Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Ko’waintco Michel because she is smart, confident and very down to earth; a true definition of an "Aboriginal Woman".  Very inspirational, encouraging and knowledgeable. Thank you.”
Alice Morgan, Gitksan
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Ko'waintco Michel  because although I have never met her before this Aboriginal Women's Conference, she has so many inspiring stories to share. She is driven to develop Women Councils and portrays confidence. She says her words in a way that holds your attention."

Dolly Wycotte, Shuswap Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Ko’waintco Michel because she has come a long way. I attended her leadership workshop this week, and it was very inspiring and really opened my eyes as a leader in my home community. No matter the obstacles may be...don't give up, keep climbing.”
Evelyn Hattie, North Caribou Lake F.N.
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Lee Paul because she is a fantastic Aboriginal Woman who is devoted in assisting other Aboriginal Peoples in any way that she can.”                                                                 Melanie Raymond 
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Elder Mary Lee because she is fully connected to tradition and teachings of her heritage and sharing.”
Lena Smith-Tutin, Champagne Aishihik First Nations
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Elder Mary Lee because she has helped me to begin my journey."       Gwennyce Sutherland, Peguis, MB Ojibway Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Mary Lee because she is so inspirational and so knowledgeable in her teachings.”   Amtu Simba-Chicot, South Slavey Dené
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Mary Lee.” Adele Bell, First Nation
 
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Elder Mary Lee because I feel the Holy Spirit when I'm in her presence. May the Grace of our Creator Bless her continuously!!”             
Sheree Moses, Merritt, BC Thomspons First Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Michelle Boivin because she has so much confidence and strength and courage and compassion.”
Pauline Boivin, Ojibway
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  my mother, Barbara Webster, because she is so strong and beautiful.”         Vanessa Webster, Nuxalk and Cayuga
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  my grama Dorothy because she has survived residential school and growing up after; she has perservered in her life.  She shows her strength, patience and wisdom.  she is a warrior for our people.”
Jennifer Houde, Okanagan Syilx
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is my Grandmother.”
Brenda Baptiste, Okanagan-Osoyoos Indian Band
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is my grandmother.”      Rhoda Bolton, Heiltsuk Nation
 
“ An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is my granny, my mentor.”    

Stella Peters, Huu-Ay-Aht (Nuu-Chah-Nuutth)
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  my late grandmother Florence because she taught me the values of hard work and the importance of our cultural values.”
Marilyn Slett, Heiltsuk
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  my mom because she taught me how to care about people and especially how to care for and love my family.”   
 Loretta Whitecap Brown, Sioux/Cree
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is My MOM because she challenges me everyday and encourage me to never stop living my dreams."
Valerie Rose Apsassin, Blueberry River Nation
 
 “An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  my Mom, because English words cannot quite describer her and her generousity to her people; her wisdom, her stamina, her abilities as a Chilcotin woman to take care of her family and community.          
Annie Wlliams, Chilcotin from Williams Lake, BC
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is my Mother because she is supportive, kind, helpful and encouraging .”
Beatrice Anthony,  Chase, BC, Statlimc Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is myself because I am strong, caring and passionate about our women.”
Theresa Ducharme, Métis
 
“Two Aboriginal Woman who inspires me are Nancy Dawson & Rose Henry.”
Ethel Speck, Namgis Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Rena Morrison because she is an Aboriginal woman working in Government with a heart for community.”                                                                                                                           Audrey Waite, Métis
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Roberta Stewart because she is brave, tenacious and a great team builder.”

Pam White, Canadian
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Rose Henry because she is a homeless-educated, working on women's rights and a real woman warrior. I'm proud of her.”

Shannon Kilroy, Lower Nicola Indian Band - Nlakapmux
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Sherry Waddilove, my mother, because she taught me since the day I was born and keeps on teaching me by her example of what a strong native woman she is.”

Jodie Lynn Waddilove, Munsee-Delaware Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is  Shirley Horn because she has had much hardship in her life but is such a mover and shaker. She has been a chief/business woman/entertainer and so much more and is now completing her fine arts degree at the age of 65.”

Jackie Fletcher, Missanabie Cree First Nation
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Verna Billy Minnabarriett because she is a strong First Nations woman who has dedicated her life to Aboriginal Education.  She empowers all people around her. She's never judgemental and she accepts everyone regardless of their history or background.”
Dolly Kershaw, Chilcotin
 
“An Aboriginal Woman who inspires me is Vickie Brotchie because she is a strong Native woman who stands up for what she believes in, who is a lot like her mother - a strong and beautiful Native Women.”
Zabrina Svanvik, Namgis/Tsimshian