Okimaw Awards Celebrate Saskatchewan’s Influential Men

Sixteen Saskatchewan-born men, each distinguished in their respective careers, have been honoured at the 2025 Okimaw Awards.

The awards, which recognize men making a difference in their communities, started in Alberta in 2022. The 2025 awards marks the inaugural ceremony focusing on Saskatchewan’s men.

On September 12 at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, the following awards were presented:

Lance McNabb – Humility

Creeson Agecoutay – Honesty

Brad Spence – Respect

Brad Bellegarde – Courage

Jada Yee – Wisdom

Chief Michael George Starr – Truth

Donald Carrier – Love

Garrick Schmidt – Cultural Revitalization

Erroll Kinistino – Creative Arts

Kendal Netmaker – Business Leader

Andre Bear -Human Rights & Advocacy

Michael Linklater – Sports

Tyler Gervais – Justice

Nelson Bird – Lifetime Journey

Howard Desnomie – Father Figure

Justin Holness – Entertainer/Musician

“It was quite an honour,” said Nelson Bird, former CTV News personality and host of Indigenous Circle, and recipient of the 2025 Okimaw Award for Lifetime Journey.

“To know that my work in telling and sharing stories, and being a journalist for such a long time, is being recognized in this way – it meant the world to me.”

Bird, from Peepeekisis First Nation, who is currently a lecturer in Indigenous Journalism and Communication Arts at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), was the first Indigenous person to hold the assignment editor position in CTV Saskatchewan, and was one of the first Indigenous faces regularly featured on network television.

“I never stopped learning throughout my career from people, from culture, from ceremonies,” said Bird. “I feel as though it was my duty, and my honour, to share this information to the masses however I could.”

Being a trailblazer in his field meant that with the recognition came plenty of hostile reactions from those unwilling to accept an Indigenous person in a prominent position.

“I’ve had dozens of letters, phone messages, threats from people in the province who don’t like me because I’m Indigenous. I’ve faced a lot of racism,” he said.

“There were times I wanted to give up because I thought I couldn’t live like this. But I know, if I did, it would empower people like that.”

“But I wanted to continue educating people. That’s what I want my legacy to be – that I never stopped despite some obstacles and hurdles.”

Now, in his role at FNUniv, Bird said he feels that same drive to educated and share stories, but now in manner that directly influences the next generation of Indigenous storytellers.

“It’s important for us to have storytellers and journalists who pass on our stories. It has to happen in some way.”

Tyler Gervais shares that passion for making his community a better place.

Recipient for the 2025 Justice Award, Gervais is a passionate lawyer focusing on Indigenous law and nation building. Called to the Bar only a little over a year ago, Gervais has already opened his own law firm, Miyo Wahkohtowin Law, founded and named from the Cree worldview that everything is connected.

“That’s how I try to practice, in how I deal with people,” said Gervais. “To make sure I understand them, make sure I build rapport with them, so they feel supported.”

Gervais found his way into law in a circuitous way. While finishing his education degree at FNUniv, he spoke with former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Jody Wilson-Raybould at a Liberal convention.

“I wanted to make a difference in Indigenous communities because we need change. She told me education is a good start, but if you want to make a real difference, go to where the policies are created. She said go become a lawyer,” said Gervais.

The advice was embraced, said Gervais, and he went through the ups and downs of law school, keeping focus on what inspired him to pursue a career in law.

Gervais, owner of Miyo Wahkohtowin Law

“I’m putting my ancestors, my youth, my community on my shoulders. It’s very meaningful to me. You carry generations with you,” he said. “We’re breaking cycles.”

Gervais said he was shocked and honoured by the Okimaw award, which proves as valuable validation that he’s on the right path.

“We’re in a time of Reconciliation and self-governing – it’s not good enough just to talk about it. We need people in these positions with the skill and drive to do it,” said Gervais.

Erroll Kinistino, from Ochapowace First Nation, has long been in visually prominent positions in the arts. The recipient for the Creative Arts Award, Kinistino’s career has been most famously marked by reoccurring roles on CBC’s North of 60 and CTV’s Corner Gas.

“It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but it’s such an honour to have the inaugural award for Creative Arts,” said Kinistino.

“You don’t always know the impact you’re having on the community, and in some cases the mass media, so it’s incredible that the Okimaw awards can recognize some of us and help create a vision for the future.”

Kinistino has been immersed in arts and culture his entire life. Raised by parents who loved music and hosting community art events, Kinistino said he was nurtured to sing, to act, and to perform. Participating in choir eventually led him to the performing arts. Small steps which resulted in acting in some of Canada’s most iconic television shows.

“I hope these awards can inspire people to keep doing what they’re doing,” he said.

“I think it can influence others to grow – not just in the arts but in being a Chief, or leader in your community.”

And even though the Okimaw Awards are centred on the influential men in Saskatchewan, Kinistino said much of the credit for their success still goes to Saskatchewan’s women.

“At the gathering, every man that was there honoured his parents, his mother, his grandmother, the women that stand beside us that bring honour to our communities and nations.”