Sioux Lookout, ON – The Municipality of Sioux Lookout Truth and Reconciliation Committee hosted its inaugural Truth and Reconciliation Recognition Gathering: Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future, on Saturday, April 25th. The event brought together nearly 200 community members, Elders, leaders, and guests for an evening to celebrate reconciliation, resilience, and community strength.
Individuals and organizations were recognized for their actions, leadership, and lived experience which have contributed to reconciliation, community strength, and positive change in Sioux Lookout and the surrounding region. Awards were hand-carved by local Indigenous artist, Jesse Fiddler.
Mayor Doug Lawrance noted, "This was our first Truth and Reconciliation Recognition Gathering, and to see nearly 200 people come out for this evening was truly moving. Events like this do not happen without a tremendous amount of work, and I want to recognize the hard work of Council’s Committee for Truth and Reconciliation and the staff working with the Committee to make this a reality; it speaks to our collective commitment as a municipality to meaningful engagement on reconciliation.” He added, “Thank you to the sponsors whose generosity made the evening possible, and to the members of our community who took the time to nominate so many wonderful people who make a difference every day. Congratulations to every nominee, every Honourable Mention, and every award recipient."
2026 Award Recipients
Youth Award (Ages 5–17): Ethan, Christopher, and Donovan McCord. Three brothers recognized for their extraordinary commitment to community life in Sioux Lookout — from coaching sports and organizing community events to filling sandbags, hosting library programs, and giving their time without hesitation.
Education Award: Andy Schardt, Vice-Principal, Sioux North High School. Recognized for building authentic, respectful relationships between Sioux North and First Nation education partners across the region, championing restorative practices, and creating land-based and culturally grounded learning spaces.
Corporate/Private Sector Award: Rita Campbell, Gord and Rita’s Taxi. For years, Rita has organized and funded an annual community Christmas dinner — open to all, at no cost — entirely out of her own time and resources.
Not-for-Profit Sector Award: Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre. Recognized as a consistent and welcoming anchor for Indigenous community members through Culture Nights, drumming ceremonies, warm meals, and a safe space for cultural reconnection.
Healing Through Action Award: Ziggy Robert Beardy, Projects Manager, SLAAMB. Over 30 years, Ziggy has created tangible pathways to trades training, employment, and economic development for First Nation youth across 25 northern communities.
Sports Award: Jesse Terry, Lac Seul First Nation. An Anishinaabe musher and operator of On The Land Sled Dogs, Jesse earned Rookie of the Year honours at the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, finishing 14th overall. He is a dedicated advocate for land-based sport and northern tradition.
Arts, Music and Entertainment Award: Jordyn Angeconeb, Lac Seul First Nation. An Anishinaabe Two-Spirit drag artist, educator, and community builder, Jordyn has created landmark spaces for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer expression and was Pride Toronto’s 2024 Two-Spirit Ambassador.
Elder/Knowledge Keeper Award: Nick Kowalow, Sioux Mountain School. Creator of “Nick’s Nest,” an outdoor land-based classroom, Nick is recognized for his deep care for students of all cultures and his immeasurable impact on the school community.
Elder/Knowledge Keeper Award (Joint): Romaine and Victor Lyon. Recognized together for a lifetime of dedication to keeping Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and song alive in this community.
Honourable Mentions and Committee Choice Award
The committee recognized five Honourable Mentions: Shane Sakchekapo, Barbara Ruotsalainen, Jesse Fiddler, Kai Koivukoski, and Terry Lynne Jewell. From among this group, the Committee Choice Award was presented to Shane Sakchekapo — a young Indigenous athlete from Round Lake, Ontario who overcame a serious muscle condition to find a new path in competitive darts. Shane reached #1 in Canada during the 2024–2025 season, won the National Darts Federation of Canada Singles title, and captained Team Canada at the World Cup of Darts in Seoul, South Korea.
Posthumous Recognitions
Three individuals were honoured posthumously for their lasting contributions to truth and reconciliation in Sioux Lookout: Garnet Angeconeb, a residential school survivor, Order of Canada recipient, and founding force behind the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee and Friendship Accord; Peggy Sanders, who offered companionship and dignity to expectant mothers from northern communities and co-founded the Anti-Racism Committee; and Ennis Fiddler, a founding member of the Anti-Racism Committee who played a central role in the creation of Meno Ya Win Health Centre and established CBC Radio’s first native-language program in Ontario. A shared plaque honouring all three will be placed in the TRC Sponsored Garden near the Travel Information Centre.
Sponsors
The 2026 TRC Recognition Gathering was made possible through the generous financial and in-kind support of the following sponsors:
Platinum: Fresh Market Foods, Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA), Kuhkenah Network (KNET), Lac Seul First Nation, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA)
Gold: Kenora District Services Board (KDSB), Remedy’sRx, Seven Generations
Silver: Keewatin-Aski Ltd (KAL)
Bronze: A&A Taxi, Equay-Wuk Women’s Group, St. Andrews United Church, The Sioux Lookout Bulletin
About the Municipality of Sioux Lookout Truth and Reconciliation Committee
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout Truth and Reconciliation Committee is an established committee of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, formed in 2016 in response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Formerly known as the Mayor’s Committee for Truth and Reconciliation, the committee includes two members of Sioux Lookout Council and is supported by the Municipality in its work to foster respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents, promote cultural awareness, and take meaningful local action on reconciliation.
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For more information, please contact:
Joan Cosco, Municipal Councillor
[email protected]
