Congratulations to our CILR Award recipients

Tiara Opissinow, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatchewan

Tiara Opissinow was born and raised in Onion Lake Cree Nation, in Treaty 6 territory where she lives with her family, her dog napatak, and her cat manicōs. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics in the spring of 2023 at the University of Alberta. Currently, she is working on learning her language, Plains Cree, with her grandma. She is currently enrolled in the micro-certificate in Indigenous Language Documentation. Through this certificate, she aims to combine her passion of videography and art to learn new and creative ways to keep her language alive.

Cindy Ann (Inutsiaq) Rennie, Iqaluit, Nunavut

Cindy Ann (Inutsiaq) Rennie was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Cindy started working as an Inuk Interpreter translator in the languages Inuktitut, English and French for patients from Nunavut to receive medical care in Montreal, Quebec back in the 1990s. Cindy worked in the Communications and Media field focusing on showcasing Inuit Culture and traditions. Cindy returned to Nunavut in 2001 to contribute to the newly created territory Nunavut. She is currently employed with the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. Cindy enjoys working with people and celebrate her culture. She has two grown sons and lives in Iqaluit.

Iokarenhtha Thomas, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Ontario

Shé:kon. Iokarenhtha Thomas is the mother of 5 children. She is a Mohawk (wolf clan), originally from the Oneida Nations of the Thames and Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, but currently resides at Six Nations of the Grand River Territory with her family. She is a recent graduate of McMaster University’s Indigenous Studies program and currently, is in her first year of the Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa Mohawk Immersion Program. She was very fortunate to have grandparents who have instilled in her, a great sense of identity, knowledge, and pride as a Hotinonshón:ni person, along with the importance of preserving and revitalizing their original language, culture, and governance systems, for our future generations. She has worked in language preservation and revitalization, off and on, since she was 15 years old, and it continues to be a great passion of hers. When not in school, she enjoys painting, drawing and learning new art forms. She also enjoys being out on the land, exploring, fishing, hunting, and spending time teaching her children everything that she can. She thinks it is vital for her children to have a strong connection to the land that they’re born from, so that they have a better understanding of who they are as Onkwehon:we (original people). She writes, “I know this is only the beginning of a lifelong learning journey, but I thank the Indigenous Language Revitalization program for providing so much to me in such a short span of time. I hope to put these skills to work very soon! Niá:wen.”

Makee Kakee, Panniqtuuq/Iqaluit

Makee Kakee (Maaki) is originally from Pannniqtuuq and moved to Iqaluit 24 years ago to work for BRIA, now called Qikiqtani Inuit Association as an Interpreter/translator. Makee completed a diploma program of Interpreter/Translator and has been working professionally for 30 years. She loves working with Elders to gather information about the past and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Over her career, Makee has worked in different organizations such as, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), Nunavut Social Development Council (NSDC), Nunavut Court of Justice (NCJ) and as a freelancer, and as an instructor at the Nunavut Arctic College concentrating on Legal Interpreting. Makee is currently taking an educational leave to learn more of the Inuit history, traditions and traditional terminology. She enjoys working with sealskins and sewing garments, both industrial tanned skins and traditionally tanned. Makee has three daughters (one son passed), 24 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild who all speak only or mostly Inuktitut.

Barbara Ballantyne, Deschambault Lake/Saskatoon

Barbara Ballantyne is from Deschambault Lake, and now lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She is the mother of ten children and grandmother of five. She is currently writing a book with her daughter in Cree ‘th’ dialect.  Barbara became interested in the Indigenous Language Revitalization program because as a mom and an Aboriginal Head Start Coordinator, she could hear the little ones only speaking English. Upon completing CILR, Barbara wants to create or work with a language program to bring back her language.

Caroline Ipeelie, Iqaluit

Caroline Ipeelie was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut where the majority of her family resides. She has three boys, who shape and drive her life. She currently works as a Heritage Appreciation Coordinator for the Qikiqtaaluk region; working with locals, collecting stories and promoting Inuit culture. 

Ceporah Mearns, Panniqtuuq/Iqaluit

Ms. Ceporah Mearns is originally from Panniqtuuq, Nunavut, currently living in Iqaluit. Ceporah is a mother of two and is a celebrated children’s book author whose work has been translated into Inuktut and languages worldwide. A passionate researcher and instructor, volunteer and a student in the Qimattuvik program at the Pirurvik Centre in Iqaluit, NU. Ceporah places Inuit culture, traditions and language at the forefront of her contribution to her community, territory and global community.

My name is Carole Tinqui. I was born in Behchoko, Northwest Territories and have lived here all my life. I have a daughter name Khloe who is six years old, and am married to Kevin Tinqui. Tłı̨chǫ language is my first language when growing up and it is very important for me and my families. I’ve seen many changes in our community and I want to help those in need, as well as learning more teaching skills. I know it takes a lot of hard work and determination to learn our Tłı̨chǫ language.

Samone Sayese-Whitney is a member of the Tsuut'ina Nation. She is a mother of two, aged 4 years and 10 months. Since 2012, Samone has been teaching language at the Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute at the elementary, middle and high school level. Samone began the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization with colleagues at the Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute in 2019. She looks forward to completing her certificate and continuing on to gain a Bachelor of Education to support her work in Indigenous education and language revitalization.