Did Your Fave Make The List? 10 Canadian Indigenous Women To Watch

Did Your Fave Make The List? 10 Canadian Indigenous Women To Watch

It's great to see so many familiar faces on this list recently posted to Buzzfeed: 10 Canadian Indigenous Women To Watch. You might even recognize a few ladies from previous articles on our website. Check it out!

ashleycallingbull
1. Ashley Callingbull

I know you've seen this Enoch Cree Nation beauty on our page before. She is the first Indigenous woman to win the title of Mrs. Universe, as well as the first Canadian Woman to win the title. And you probably enjoyed her time on the Amazing Race Canada last year! She is definitely an outspoken advocate for Indigenous women in her community as well as her country.

MarionBullerCBCNews
2. Marion Buller

So great to learn more about this incredible lady from Buzzfeed!

“Marion Buller is the first Indigenous Woman in British Columbia to be appointed as a judge. Not only is she important to Indigenous women because she is inspiring, but because she is chief commissioner the inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous women. We are certain that the work of Marion Buller will change lives one day!”

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3. Sunshine Quem Tenasco

You may have seen some of these beautiful beaded pendants featured in our gift guides over the years. Sunshine is the Founder of Her Braids, an organization that aims to bring awareness to the clean drinking water situation in Canada. Her own community of Kitigan Zibi has been without drinking water for 15 years! Too long for anyone! The Her Braids pendants are not just a fundraiser for water but a way to connect with others in the community. They frequently host beading workshops in the community while educating all about the water crisis.

KonaWilliams
4. Dr. Kona Williams

Here's another lady I know we need to learn about, so thank you Buzzfeed for making this list!

“Dr. Williams is Canada’s first Indigenous forensic pathologist. She one day hopes to be a liaison between the forensic community and Indigenous communities. In her free time Kona enjoys running as well as mentoring future aboriginal physicians hoping to go into many different medical fields.”

DevonFiddler
5. Devon Fiddler

Here's another creative woman whose business we have featured in our gift guide before. Devon Fiddler is a Cree Woman of the Waterhen Lake First Nation, located in central Saskatchewan, Canada. She is the Founder & Chief Changemaker of SheNative Goods Inc, whose primary products are handbags and accessories. Through her business she hopes to generate awareness, empowerment and altered perceptions of Indigenous Woman & girls worldwide. She was also earned the 2016 YWCA Women of Distinction Award and the 2015 Start-up Canada Young Entrepreneur of the year award.

JessieNault
6. Jessie Nault

This young lady will definitely go on to some amazing things!

“Jessie is the first person in her family to have attended University, and she took this a step further by also continuing on to post-graduate studies! Aside from being a recent graduate of the University of Ottawa medical school, Jessie also does research in cervical cancer and hopes to launch a vaccine program to aboriginal communities all across North America. Jessie is an inspiration to many, and uOttawa students can see her on billboards around campus.”

naomi-sayers
7. Naomi Sayers

“Naomi “Kwe” is an outspoken Law student currently studying at the University of Ottawa. Naomi has published over 17 papers often on heavy topics such as sex trafficking and anti-terrorism. Because of her work, Naomi has been interviewed by VICE and has been featured in #AskAFeminist. Naomi has also has spoken on 40 panels and still makes time to talk about issues that are important to her on her blog.”

TISHYNAH-BUFFALO
8. Tishynah Buffalo

We recently featured Tishynah Buffalo's fabulous fashions. She's a Cree woman from George Gordon First Nation Saskatchewan and her looks have featured in London Fashion Week, Couture Fashion Week in New York City and countless shows throughout Canada.

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9. Zondra (Zoey) Pricelys Roy

“The ever fantastic and well-rounded Zondra (Zoey) is definitely someone we cannot keep up with. From her spoken word poetry to her work as an educator, it is an understatement to say that this girl has a bright future. She also takes time out of her busy schedule to give back to her community and has been even recognized by the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee for her work. How does she do it?!”

Maatilii-1
10. Maatalii Okalik

And last but not least, here's another young lady who is serving as an insspiration to the youth in her community.

“Maatalli is the president of the National Inuit Youth Council and represents Inuit Youth in Canada. She also made her voice heard at the COP21 climate change conference in Paris in 2015. She focuses on issues such as reconciliation, voting rights and revitalizing Inuit language. Maatalii has won the Outstanding Young Woman Award in 2016 and the 2017 Indspire award. Make sure to watch Maatalii in the 2017 “Indspire” awards this year!”

So tell us, can you think of any other women that should be on this list? Let us know!

About Toyacoyah Brown

Toyacoyah Brown is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, currently living in Chicago. She received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.A. in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. When she's not scouring the Internet for fun things to share with PowWows.com readers you can find her digging for vinyl in her local record store or curling up with a good book.


One Comment “Did Your Fave Make The List? 10 Canadian Indigenous Women To Watch”

  • Avatar for Remo Bozzato

    Remo Bozzato

    says:

    I admire these indigenous women.

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