24th Annual Keeping the Fires Burning

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On June 19, the 24th annual Keeping the Fires Burning event took place at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. The event was a success, with over 800 community members, relatives, friends, family, and honoured guests in attendance.

This year’s theme was Gichi-Anishinaabeg Ogikendaasowin: Gikino’amaage Abinoojiyag Dago Zaagi’idiiwin, or, Intergenerational Love: Learning from our Elders. The theme was inspired by the vigilance, guidance, and commitment of Elders and Knowledge Keepers in maintaining and advocating for the teachings, ceremonies, and traditional ways of being that are passed down to the children and youth of Indigenous communities everywhere.

As it was said in this year’s program, “It is through our Elders and Knowledge Keepers – role models, mentors, and teachers – that youth will be guided, inspired, and motivated to embrace Mino Pimatisiwin: the Good Life.”

Over the past 24 years, Keeping the Fires Burning has honoured 163 First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Knowledge Keepers, each person contributing in their own way to the wellbeing of Indigenous peoples.

This year, we proudly welcomed another nine individuals into the Circle of Honour:

• OCEAN BRUYERE – Oscar Lathlin Memorial Award Winner
• WANBDI WAKITA — Sponsor: Ka Ni Kanichihk
• JOHN JAMES EASTER — Sponsor: Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
• AUDREY LORRAINE BONE — Sponsor: Urban Circle Training Centre Inc.
• ALVINA SMITH — Sponsor: Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc.
• JUDY MAYER — Sponsor: Manitoba Metis Federation
• FRANCES SINCLAIR-KASPICK — Sponsor: Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg
• IRIS LAUZON — Sponsor: Manitoba Moon Voices Inc.
• SHERRY COPENANCE — Sponsor: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
• DOLLY SIRKUDJUK TINASHLU — Sponsor: Tunngasugit

Congratulations to all our inductees and chi-miigwetch for your profound continuing and resounding impact in our communities.

We want to thank everyone who supported Keeping the Fires Burning this year, from our Organizing Circle to the Ka Ni Kanichihk Council; as well as our volunteers, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.

A HUGE thank you as well to our evening emcees, Jessica Dumas & Dr. Niigaan Sinclair; Council Co-Chairs Sydney Levasseur-Puhach for her welcoming address; Kemsley Braun & Orville Hope-Paul Jr., participants of the Kistemaw program, for a wonderful land acknowledgement; Elder Norman Meade for our opening prayer; Manitoba Minister of Families, Hon. Nahanni Fontaine, for her attendance, speech, and co-presentation of the Oscar Lathlin Memorial Award alongside our very own Executive Director Jackie Anderson; Freeman White Jr. for his honour song; Ray ‘Co-Co’ Stevenson & Rhonda James for hosting the grand entry; our evening entertainers, the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers and musician Fontine, Kieran Maytwayashing; and the Whitehorse Spirit Singers for their Retreat Song.

We would also like to thank all of our sponsors for this year’s event:

Presenting Sponsor : Manitoba Indigenous Reconciliation Secretariat

Patron Sponsors: Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology, Manitoba Arts Council, Johnston Group, Office of Vice President Indigenous at University of Manitoba,

Corporate Table Sponsors: Assiniboine Credit Union, Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services, Indigenous Excellence in Education – Klinic, Manitoba Education and Early Childhood & the Winnipeg Foundation.

Chii miigwech to all those involved and all those who attended the 24^th Annual Keeping the Fires Burning gathering. We hope you join us again next year.