ONWA Celebrates 2025–26 Ontario Attorney General Victim Services Award of Distinction Recipients

Thunder Bay, ON – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is proud to congratulate Stephanie Mikki Adams, Mary Daoust, and Matt Richer on receiving the 2025–26 Ontario Attorney General Victim Services Award of Distinction.

This prestigious recognition honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, and commitment to supporting victims and strengthening community safety across Ontario. Through their dedication, compassion, and community-driven work, Mikki, Mary, and Matt have each made significant and lasting contributions to Indigenous communities and victims’ services.

Stephanie Mikki Adams is an Inuk community leader and advocate based in Ottawa. She serves as the Executive Director of the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families, where she supports Inuit children, youth, and families through culturally grounded programs and services. Mikki is also co-chair of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, where she advances initiatives focused on Indigenous community wellness, education, reconciliation, and support for urban Inuit families. She is widely recognized for her leadership in strengthening Inuit language, culture, and community connections in Ottawa.

Mary Daoust is a long-standing Indigenous community leader and advocate. She serves as the Executive Director of Minwaashin Lodge - Indigenous Women’s Support Centre, where she leads programs and services supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women, children, youth, and families. Mary is the other co-chair of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition. She actively works in partnership to advance Indigenous women’s safety, Indigenous community wellness, cultural revitalization, and collective advocacy initiatives across Ottawa.

Matt Richer is the Sexual Violence Awareness Training Coordinator at ONWA, where he works to advance community safety, and awareness around violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. Matt focuses on strengthening community healing and prevention efforts through initiatives such as ONWA’s Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Night, the Moose Hide Campaign, and the 2025 Resilient Hearts, Resilient Voices Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign. In addition, he created transformative youth programs, including She Is Strong and Warrior’s Path, which empower Indigenous girls and vulnerable youth through culture, leadership, and violence prevention.

“It was an honour to nominate these leaders for their unwavering commitment to supporting Indigenous women and their families. Stephanie (Mikki), Mary, and Matt’s leadership and dedication reflect the transformative impact that compassion and community-driven service can have in the lives of the people we serve. Through their work, they create spaces of trust, empowerment, and hope while inspiring meaningful change within our communities. When systems recognize and honour our Board of Directors, membership, and staff, it marks the beginning of changing the story.” Cora McGuire-Cyrette, ONWA CEO

Anyone interested in watching the awards ceremony virtually on Wednesday May 27 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm EST can email AGVSAD@ontario.ca to request the viewing link.

For more information and media inquiries, contact:

Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager

Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)

Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca

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