We need your help to decide Newsmaker of the Year
- EFN Staff | November 19, 2014
The annual newsmaker of the year hunt is now on. The back room folk at Eagle Feather News have done their very unscientific process of research and they have picked some of the biggest news stories and news makers of the year for your consideration and vote.
The top five stories are a mix of young and old and tragedy and hope. Individual nominees include entrepreneur Kendal Netmaker and athlete and role model Summer Michel. Both have had an amazing 2014. Summer was a SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Award winner, a Junior Citizen of the Year, Chief of the Pelican Narrows Youth Chief and Council and a multiple medal winner in canoeing at NAIG.
Kendal Netmaker continues to grow his Neechie Gear brand and has travelled the world speaking on entrepreneurship. Amongst his achievements this year he was named Youth Entrepreneur of the Year by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and as the youth recipient for the 2015 Indspire Award.
The tragic story of Marlene Bird generated a firestorm of media nationally (though it took a while) and highlighted the issue of violence against Aboriginal women. Her story and the release this year by the RCMP that there have been almost 1200 murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada on the past 25 years has started the conversation in Canada about having a national inquiry on the root causes that lead to such tragedies.
The entire topic of murdered and missing Aboriginal women generated consistent press all year. Tireless advocates have kept the issue front and centre with marches, art displays and pressure on police and politicians for answers. This cause certainly deserves consideration.
Lastly, the North American Indigenous Games took Regina by storm this summer. Thousands of athletes, coaches and family flooded old Pile of Bones for a week in July. Despite coming second, Team Saskatchewan had a great showing and the host committee did a heck of a job. The event changed many young people’s lives and the impact will be felt for a long time in Aboriginal communities across the country.
So dear reader, we ask you to help choose the news maker of the year. Please vote in the Reader Poll on our Home Page or comment on our Facebook page. It will be good practice for the Federal election in the spring.