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Profile Stories
MISTAHI MAMÎCÎHÎTOWIN AWARD Awasis Boutique
Mistahi Mamîcîhîtowin Spirit Shines Through
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An educator by trade, Christine Marie’s vision for her Awasis Boutique has always been to foster the spirit of Reconciliation by providing opportunities for Indigenous knowledge sharing. At Awasis Boutique, aside from designing and selling original Indigenous culture inspired apparels for children and their adults, there is a clear desire to bring people of all backgrounds together and demonstrate Indigenous pride.
Mistahi Mamîcîhîtowin or “Great Pride in You,” is not just the namesake gifted to the special Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce SABEX Award during a special Pipe Ceremony, it is the demonstration of how an organization creates positive relationships with Indigenous enterprises and integrates Indigenous ways of knowing and collaborating. Christine’s Awasis Boutique does exactly that by partnering with Indigenous designers and organizations, such as Wanuskewin Heritage Park or the First Nations Bank of Canada. For Christine incorporating other Indigenous artists’ artwork in her products and offering her creations through Indigenous organizations is one of her ways of strengthening relationships. “We rise by lifting others,” is a saying that Christine says she tries to emulate. And although Awasis Boutique sells its creations primarily online, Christine also partners with non-Indigenous organizations such as Twisted Goods and the USASK shop to make her products available in store fronts in Saskatoon and beyond.
Awasis Boutique’s Orange Shirt Day original designs were all the rage once again this year, selling across Canada. “When people of all ages wear my products, they are helping to create awareness, educate others about who Indigenous people are and their history. When the Orange Shirt Day orders come in from coast to coast in our country, not only it means that this special day is growing, but it also means that Awasis Boutique can make more donations,” says Christine.
Indeed, Awasis Boutique has made it its mission to give back as much as possible to non-profits supporting survivors of residential school and their families such as The Legacy of Hope Foundation, as well as organizations supporting children’s education and well-being, like the Saskatoon Public School Foundation’s Early Learning Equal Start campaign. To date, after only four short years in business, Awasis Boutique has already donated over $60,000 to various non-profit and charitable organizations across Canada. Truly, Christine Marie and her Awasis Boutique are deserving of the Mistahi Mamîcîhîtowin Award and of our heartfelt thank you and congratulations for demonstrating reconciliation in action.
Nutrien presents the Mistahi Mamicihitowin Award to Awasis Boutique
Entrepreneurship in action
Jolene Watson of Clarity Coaching & Development increased her sales by 126% during the pandemic and subsequently doubled her revenue in the past year. In March of 2020, after the speaking side of her business disappeared overnight due to the suspension of conferences worldwide, she developed a full day Myers-Briggs® course focused on communication styles, stress management, and leadership strategies. She then became a Certified Virtual Presenter, Emotions-Centered Coach, and received her certification in Mental Health First Aid. She is passionate about professional development and is always acquiring additional knowledge to better serve her clients. Point in case, she is also currently taking a 30-hour body language course. It is Jolene’s drive to help others, her enterprising spirit, risk taking, grit, and vision that lead to her being the recipient of this year’s Entrepreneurship Award.
Growing up on a mixed farm outside of Biggar, Saskatchewan, Jolene’s early career as a Registered Veterinary Technologist did not necessarily predict her current entrepreneurial journey. Yet, today she has come full circle as she teaches a 16-hour client relations and stress management course to first year veterinary technology students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. In addition, she also teaches at the Praxis School of Entrepreneurship, Leadership Saskatoon, and at the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards Executive Education program. She is driven to help her clients acquire the confidence needed to increase their charisma, communication skills, presentation skills, and stress management coping strategies. It’s this passion that has led her to develop a full suite of in-person workshops, virtual presentations, and personality profiling services that she delivers to a wide range of organizations from provincial and federal departments and agencies, to mining sector corporations, engineering firms, and non-profit organizations.
Jolene’s goal to become Canada’s Networking Expert recognized nationally and internationally, her drive as an entrepreneur to market Clarity Coaching & Development beyond Saskatchewan, and her ability to connect with people allow her to continue to develop and grow her business. Her enterprising spirit is also helping her contribute to Saskatoon, the province, and the nation’s economy, beyond her business, by providing people of Saskatchewan and afar with the customized tools to needed to grow themselves and their organizations. A proud Saskatchewanbased entrepreneur, next year she will celebrate her 10-year anniversary in business!
U of S presents the Entrepreneurship Award to Jolene Watson - Clarity Coaching & Development
SPIRIT OF SASKATOON AWARD Remai Modern
Exhibits Spirit of Saskatoon
Remai Modern aims to be a welcoming and inclusive public gathering place where people engage together through local and international modern and contemporary art. This architectural landmark on Saskatoon’s riverbank is an invitation to residents and visitors of all ages to experience culture, community and conversation in a beautiful space. Thanks to this vision, its staff and the programs implemented to bring it to life, Remai Modern has won the Spirit of Saskatoon SABEX Award.
The museum exhibits its spirit of Saskatoon in many ways, such as by showcasing the incredible work being done by local and regional artists alongside exhibitions featuring notable national and international artists. This institution takes seriously its responsibility to work toward greater understanding and improved relationships with Treaty 6 Territory First Nations and Métis people. Therefore, Remai Modern is taking steps to infuse Indigenous perspectives and be responsive to requests and ideas for change. It is also establishing relationships with Indigenous groups such as the Saskatoon Survivors Circle, providing reconciliation training to its staff and regularly displaying the work of Indigenous artists.
To continue to improve the visitor experience and access to its programs for people of all ages and walks of life, the museum introduced by-donation admission every Wednesday and removed the admission fee for youth under 18 years of age in February. It has since moved to by-donation admission on all open days for the next 20 years thanks to a generous commitment from the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation. Whether it is offering school tours, dedicated visits for people in long-term care, minimal simulation “relaxed tours,” American Sign Language interpretation, by-appointment visits or off-site outreach programs, Remai Modern aims to be inclusive. This goal prompted the museum to invite and actively respond to community feedback. In fact, Remai Modern’s new strategic plan released in 2021 was informed by input received from hundreds of community people, including the business community, Indigenous groups and Elders, educators, artists, art organizations, donors and many others. They all helped create the museum’s roadmap to best serve the community and visitors now and in the future.
Beyond the art displayed, the programs offered including talks, films and other events. Saskatoon residents and tourists alike all agree that their experiences are enhanced by Remai Modern’s people - front desk, learning and engagement staff and program guides. Thanks to these individuals’ enthusiasm to discuss the exhibitions, answer questions and share their genuine love of art, while making meaningful connections, Remai Modern’s Spirit of Saskatoon truly shines.
Discover Saskatoon presents the Spirit of Saskatoon Award to Remai Modern
Congratulations!
TO THE 2022 WINNERS:
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by SAFETY CULTURE
Sponsored by
GROWTH SMALL BUSINESS
Sponsored by GROWTH BIG BUSINESS
Sponsored by COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Sponsored by
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Sponsored by
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Sponsored by NEW BUSINESS VENTURE
Sponsored by
SPIRIT OF SASKATOON
Sponsored by MISTAHI MAMÎCÎHÎTOWIN
Sponsored by
HALL OF FAME
Sponsored by
Sherwood & Elaine Sharfe
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS
