Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) proudly announce three women as recipients of the 2021 Eagle Awards
Posted on August 20, 2021
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) proudly announce three women as recipients of the 2021 Eagle Awards
(From left to right: Carol Tobicoe, Volunteer award, Joanne Webb, Trailblazer award, Jane Beecroft, Friend of the First Nation award.)
A local Indigenous Activist, a Toronto historian, and the first woman to ever be elected to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) Council, are the 2021 recipients of the MCFN Eagle Awards.
“In 2020, Chief and Council started the Eagle Awards as we have never formally acknowledged the many people that make our First Nation so proud,” says MCFN Chief R. Stacey Laforme. “These awards are about recognition, which builds pride. Pride for our young people, as they learn and be inspired by people who have gone before them.”
Carol Tobicoe, the first woman to ever be elected to the MCFN Council, has received the “Community Volunteer Award.” She has dedicated her time to ensuring the Three Fires Annual Pow Wow was a successful event since 1987. She has also assisted with planning and participating in several other community events. She is currently a member of the MCFN Culture committee, where she volunteers her time to assist in supporting the preservation of history, language and culture of the First Nation.
“This is an honour,” said Tobicoe. “I have been volunteering in the community since day one, and I never did this for recognition, but it is great to feel appreciated. I think [the awards] will inspire our youth to want to do more.”
A well-respected Community Member, Joanne Webb, has received the “Trailblazer Award.” Webb has held positions with the Hamilton Health Sciences, Canadian Union of Public Employees (Diversity Vice President for Aboriginal Workers), Ontario Division Board, and is a member of the Ontario Aboriginal Council, Ontario Human Rights committee, and Ontario Women’s Committee. She has always kept Indigenous advocacy at the heart of all involvements and educated people on MCFN, and the Treaty Lands and Territory.
“This is a real honour for me, I am so humbled,” said Webb. “I have to say chi-miigwech to my nominator and Chief and Council for this. I am very proud of my community and everything we do, and I always encourage people to learn our history. Something like this inspires you to keep going, and makes me want to push even harder.”
Jane Beecroft, who led the Community History Project (CHP), has received the “Friends of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Award” in recognition of all the work she has done to keep MCFN history alive and preserved. The CHP is part of the Toronto Historical Association, and works co-operatively with heritage organizations across Toronto and with residents’ associations in its study area.
“I am honoured and delighted to receive this award,” said Beecroft.
“Jane shamelessly promoted and advocated for the Mississaugas, to the City (Toronto), the Province and the Federal governments. She wrote letters, petitions, and asked anyone who would listen to get to know our story,” said former Chief of MCFN, Carolyn King. “She is truly one of our best friends.”
“Each of these women are so important to our First Nation,” said Chief Laforme. “We are grateful to each of them, and so proud to honour them.”
The 2021 recipients will be celebrated at a Ceremony and Feast in September, at the MCFN Community Centre. The 2020 recipients (Justice Harry LaForme, the late Karl King, and The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor) will also be celebrated, as their Ceremony was put on hold due to COVID-19.
Mississaugas of the Credit are an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nation with 2,600 members, of whom approximately 800 live on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation near Hagersville, Ontario.
MEDIA CONTACT: Gov.Comm@mncfn.ca
Treaty Lands & Territory
