Deserving Winnipeggers dedicated to their community receive medals from mayor

Winnipeggers who have done outstanding work in the community were honoured at the Winnipeg 150 medal ceremony.

Thirty medals were given out by Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham at Assiniboine Park Saturday afternoon. All recipients were also honoured with a tree.

“Today we are presenting 30 Winnipeg 150 medals to amazing residents with our deepest thanks and admiration for what you have done and continue to do to make our city a greater place,” Mayor Gillingham said.

One of Saturday’s medal recipients was Barbara Nepinak, a member of Pine Creek First Nation.

“It’s always an honour to be recognized for something. I don’t really know what I did. I just show up when I’m asked to go somewhere,” said Nepinak, laughing.

Many in the community would argue the fierce advocate for Indigenous People does more than simply show up to events.

“I guess I’m being honoured for the work that I do in the community,” Nepinak said. “Not just my community but the community at large and also in the city itself. I’ve also represented Canada in different parts of the world.”

Nepinak’s words don’t do justice to her countless achievements. She’s active in various cultural organizations, serves on the Special Indigenous Advisory Council to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, is a wisdom keeper and is a co-founder of Summer Bear Dance Troupe.

Her efforts have been recognized with the presentation of the Order of Manitoba and the Queen’s Jubilee Award.

Though she remains extremely humble about her own achievements, Nepinak says recognizing people’s contributions to community is extremely important.

“We shouldn’t have to wait until they’re gone to be able to do that,” she said. “We have to be able to respect those people. They make a contribution.”