Our Children, Our Future handed out its annual Champions for Children Awards Wednesday at a luncheon held at the United Steelworkers Hall.
The organization, which works to develop and promote resources that nurture children, families and communities, has recognized individuals, groups and businesses who have made a difference in the live of children each year for the past 17 years.
“There are many wonderful people in our communities selflessly giving their time, energy and resources every single day for children,” said John Whitehead, the honourary chair of Our Children, Our Future. “Some of them don't even think of it as volunteering. They just do it because it seems like the right thing to do.”
Six awards were presented at the ceremony. One of the recipients was local Indigenous hip-hop artist — and recent Juno-nominee — Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie.
He was recognized for his work leading a youth boys singing group at the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, something he's done for more than three years.
“I come from a background where singing and dancing was my whole life,” said Kiwenzie. “And I just try and be a positive role model for the young ones. They see all kinds of trouble — falling off the road with drinking and drugs and all that stuff.”
Kiwenzie tries to motivate the boys he works with, who range in age from six to 13, to learn more about their Aboriginal culture and do something with it.
“We've almost lost our culture and our language,” he said. “For my grandparents and great-grandparents — it was illegal for them to practice their culture. But they kept it alive all those years and it's important to pass it down.”
Kiwenzie says he's felt a stronger shift towards embracing Indigenous culture over the past couple of years and he wants to do his part to pass that on to the next generation.
“I just want to show them that there's a better way to live than just partying,” he said.
As an artist, he fuses traditional First Nations vocal chants with hip hop and R&B dance beats. His debut album, "Round Dance & Beats," was mixed on an iPhone and was nominated for Indigenous Music Album of the Year at the 2017 Juno Awards held earlier this month.
Of course, Kiwenzie wasn't alone in being recognized by Our Children, Our Future.
The Child & Community Resources autism intervention program received an award in the business category. The organization offers specialized services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or developmental needs.
Elizabeth June Davis received an award for her work with the Louis Street Community Association.
In the group category, Derek Cashmore and his team were recognized for their winter clothing drive providing warm-weather clothing to those in need.
Twelve-year-old Darquise Frappier was recognized in the junior volunteer category for lending her musical talents to various causes, efforts which have raised over $30,000.
And Bob and Linda Hachez received the Excellence in Action certificate for their work on youth and community gardening projects.
