Congratulations to the winners of ONWA's 2026 Recognition Awards
Each year, the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) recognizes women whose work and contributions to the Indigenous community have made an impact upon the quality of life of Indigenous women and their families. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and are based on the listed criteria. Awards were presented at ONWA's 55th Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership Conference.
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The Alice Souliere Bursary Award to commemorate Alice's contribution to the Association. This bursary was established to encourage individuals to pursue First Language Studies. The recipient should have demonstrated either the personal pursuit of language development or have assisted in community projects that promote language development.
Recipient of the Alice Souliere Bursary Award
Tekasnuhsiyosta Lynessa Cornelius
Lynessa has been learning the Oneida Language for more than 10 years, beginning when her daughter was a toddler. Since then, she has dedicated herself to language revitalization through immersion programs, university and college studies, teaching, volunteering, and community advocacy. She has served as a teacher’s assistant with the Twatati program, helped plan and facilitate the Oneida Language Conference, supported language keepers and teachers in advocating for funding and resources, and provides free language services and resources to those who may not otherwise have access. She also creates videos and social media content to share her learning journey and encourage others to connect with the language.
Lynessa continues to develop resources and curriculum for learners of all ages and abilities. She has volunteered to create materials for daycares, Head Start, kindergarten classrooms, and language nests, and currently works with local language groups and clan mothers to support the future of the Oneida Language. As a mother of a six-year-old son with level 3 autism, she is especially passionate about creating inclusive curriculum and finding easier ways for beginners and learners with disabilities to access the language.
Known for her “I’ll help you” attitude, Lynessa carries forward the same generosity and encouragement she received from the Oneida teachers and language keepers who supported her. Her dedication inspires others to learn and strengthens a language that deserves to be spoken, taught, and carried forward. She is a dedicated learner, teacher, advocate, and community member whose impact continues to inspire those around her.
The Indigenous Women's Movement Award honours and celebrate the contributions and impacts this woman made to the Indigenous community and Canada as a whole. This award recognizes an Indigenous woman who best displays the qualities and depth of commitment towards the Indigenous Women's Movement.
Recipient of the Indigenous Women's Movement Award
Saila Ipirq-Procyk
Saila is an emerging Indigenous leader whose work is creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous people and strengthening Indigenous voices. Through her involvement in mental health, climate change, environmental peacebuilding, energy, and Indigenous youth initiatives, she is building connections, opening pathways, and ensuring Indigenous perspectives are represented in conversations shaping communities and Canada’s future.
Saila’s leadership is particularly evident in her work advancing health, safety, and environmental awareness within the Inuit community in Iqaluit. Through the Northern Health and Safety Program, she brings Western knowledge together with Indigenous traditional knowledge to address the realities of working on the ice. Her workshops share knowledge, increase awareness of opportunities, and empower community members to build safer, healthier, and more sustainable futures.
Although at the beginning of her career, Saila has demonstrated a strong commitment to uplifting Indigenous people and creating opportunities for others. Her work advances youth leadership, equity, knowledge-sharing, and community well-being while creating space for Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. Through her dedication and initiative, Saila is helping strengthen Indigenous communities and contributing to a more inclusive and resilient Canada.
The Dorothy Wynne Award and bursary was established to honour and celebrate the life and contributions of Dorothy Wynne who was instrumental in building the foundation that would become ONWA. As an admired trailblazer for Indigenous women, Dorothy forged paths forward at the grass roots level that changed and empowered the lives of many Indigenous women and families. This award is presented to a local member of the Association nominated by her peers for her endeavors and contributions to her community, having an impact upon the quality of life of Indigenous women and their families.
Recipient of the Dorothy Wynne Achievement Award
Roberta Keesick
For more than 30 years, Roberta has been a tireless advocate, community builder, and cultural leader, dedicating herself to empowering and strengthening her community. Her work has taken many forms, from organizing community gardens, anti-bullying, and MMIWG events, to establishing a sewing hub and creating opportunities for community members to reconnect with traditions and traditional territory. She has consistently remained visible and available to her community, often providing support in times of need, regardless of whether funding or resources were available.
Throughout the years, she has created and supported innovative community initiatives that bring culture, knowledge, and pride to the forefront. She created a book on clan system compiled from community, organized wigwam-building training, and hosted ribbon skirts and vests fashion shows. She has also championed food sovereignty by providing seeds and black earth to families, sharing gardening knowledge, and encouraging households to grow their own food. These are only a few examples of the many initiatives she has led over decades of service.
Her impact is deeply intergenerational. The children and youth growing up in the community will carry forward the knowledge and confidence she has helped nurture—knowing how to garden, understanding MMIWG, learning their clans and cultural traditions, building wigwams, and seeing their people actively reclaim and care for the land. Through her unwavering commitment, she has created lasting pathways for cultural connection, pride, self-determination, and community strength that will continue to benefit generations to come.
Indigenous Woman of the Year Award is presented annually to an Indigenous woman who has served her people compassionately in all areas of community service, and demonstrated skill and dedication to the Provincial movement of the Ontario Native Women's Association.
Recipient of the Indigenous Woman of the Year Award
Jenny Sawanohk, Mihko-Asiniy-Kinepik-Iswew
Jenny is a proud member of Moose Cree First Nation and was born and raised in Moosonee, Ontario. She has dedicated her career to serving Indigenous people and communities through social work, mental health, healing, education, advocacy, and Truth and Reconciliation. Her work reflects deep compassion and a commitment to culturally grounded care, particularly for Indigenous youth, families, and women.
Jenny has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to Indigenous community service, creating culturally sensitive programs and providing education and training to professionals across Ontario. Through her work as an Indigenous healer/psychotherapist, educator, and speaker, she creates safe spaces that support healing, cultural connection, identity, and reconnection to Land, ceremony, Elders, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing.
Jenny’s compassionate leadership and commitment to empowering Indigenous women and families reflect the values of ONWA and its provincial movement. She continues to inspire and uplift others through her advocacy, teachings, and dedication to strengthening Indigenous communities and supporting people to heal, reclaim their gifts, and move forward in a good way.
🧡These incredible recipients were nominated by their peers for their outstanding contributions — and this year’s honourees truly embody the heart of community, culture, and advocacy.
Thank you to each of you for the work you do, the paths you pave, and the inspiration you share.
