Ten Inspiring Indigenous Women, Past and Present

Press Release

To mark International Women’s Day, the FNQLHSSC wishes to highlight ten Indigenous women. Whether through their sporting performances, arts or commitments, these women have left their mark on First Nations throughout Turtle Island.

Widia Larivière

Widia Larivière, born to an Anishinabekwe mother from Timiskaming First Nation and a Quebecois father, is the co-founder and director of Mikana, an organization that raises awareness regarding the realities of Indigenous peoples. For many years, she has dedicated herself to defending human rights and the rights of Indigenous peoples and received the Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International in 2017.

Credits : Mikana

Michèle Audette

Michèle Audette, whose father is Quebecois and mother is Innu, is from the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam. Since the 1990s, she has played a key role in transforming relations between Indigenous peoples and Quebecois and Canadian society. She served as Commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada, thus helping to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by Indigenous women while promoting justice and equality for Indigenous communities in Canada. She currently serves as a senator in the Canadian Senate.

Credits :Canadian Senate

Joséphine Bacon

Joséphine Bacon, an Innu from Pessamit, is recognized as one of the major Indigenous writers of our time. In addition to her literary talent, she excels as a producer, translator, lyricist, and teacher of Innu-Aimun, her mother tongue. Through her creations, she strives to perpetuate the tradition of community elders. In 2023, she was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Canada, which is the second highest civilian honour.

Credits : Ordre national du Québec

Elisapie Isaac

Elisapie Isaac, known under the artist name Elisapie, was born in Salluit, Nunavik. She is a renowned musician. As a singer and songwriter, her album “The Ballad of the Runaway Girl” (2018) received a 2019 Juno Award nomination for “Indigenous Music Album of the Year” and a 2019 Polaris Music Prize nomination. She also won two Félix Awards in 2019 as well as the 2019 Gamiq Award. Her fourth album, “Inuktitut,” is very successful, with its soundtrack featuring ten popular songs, all in her mother tongue.

Credits : Facebook / Elisapie

Cindy Blackstock

Cindy Blackstock, of the Gitxsan First Nation, is a nationally and internationally recognized activist for the rights of Indigenous children. In 1998, she played a key role in the founding of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. Since then, she and her organization have worked tirelessly to improve services for Indigenous children across the country.

Credits : McGill University / Cindy Blackstock

Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk

Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk is Canada’s first Inuk cardiac surgeon. Her commitment and hard work have not only reduced disparities in terms of access to medical services for the Inuit, but also inspired the next generation of young Inuit to pursue similar careers. She continues to promote health and wellness issues in Indigenous communities, with a particular emphasis on those in Nunavut.

Credits : University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Dr. Nadine Caron

Dr. Nadine Caron, from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, is Canada’s first female First Nations general surgeon. She leads the Northern Biobank Initiative, which aims to preserve tissue samples from medical procedures. This initiative aims to facilitate equitable access to genomic research on diseases such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer and thyroid cancer for people in northern British Columbia, including members of First Nations communities. In recognition of her exceptional work, she received the Dr. Thomas Dignan Indigenous Health Award from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2016.

Credits : The Canadian Press / Jonathan Hayward

Julie Philippe

Julie Philippe was appointed judge to the Court of Québec in 2020, becoming the first Indigenous woman to access the bench in Quebec. Originally from Mashteuiatsh in the Lac-Saint-Jean region, she is deeply involved with the Indigenous community. She is vice-president of the board of directors of the First Peoples Justice Center of Montréal and president of the board of directors of the Indigenous CPE Soleil Le Vent (childcare centre). In 2020, the Université de Sherbrooke created the Bourse de la juge Julie Philippe (Judge Julie Philippe scholarship), which encourages academic perseverance in Indigenous students demonstrating financial need.

Credits : Université de Sherbrooke

Autumn Peltier

Autumn Peltier, who comes from the unceded territory of Wiikwemkoong in Ontario, is an Anishinaabe who is committed to defending the rights of Indigenous peoples and the right to water. At the age of 13, she spoke at the United Nations General Assembly to denounce the problem of contaminated water in Indigenous communities in Canada and raise awareness among leaders. She has received numerous distinctions, including the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, awarded by the Governor General of Canada and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. She is also a former speaker at the World Economic Forum, a four-time finalist for the International Peace Prize and, in 2021, she was selected by Maclean’s magazine as one of the 50 most influential Canadians.

Credits : Global Heart Repair Foundation

Brigette Lacquette

Brigette Lacquette, an Ojibwe from Cote First Nation, is the first First Nations hockey player to be named to Canada’s National Women’s Team. She is a role model for young First Nations athletes, especially girls who play hockey. She firmly believes in their place in the world of sport. She competed at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games, thus helping Canada win the silver medal.

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