Article appeared in the Sept 22, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
The Interlake Tourism Association held its 10th annual ‘Celebration of Stars’ event on Sept. 15 in Fisher River Cree Nation (Koostatak) this year, located in the heart of the Interlake approximately three hours north of Winnipeg.
Guests, who hailed from around the Interlake and Winnipeg, met at the Leigh Cochrane Memorial Visitors Centre on the banks of the Fisher River. They were greeted by Elder John Murdock, and Mary Mccray Sinclair and George Crate of the Ochekwi-sipi Economic Development Committee, before being treated to a cultural performance at the stage.
Murdock said an opening prayer of blessing, and a group of drummers from, both, Fisher River and Peguis sang an honour song to welcome visitors to the community. Justin Sinclair-Paul of Peguis performed a Men’s Fancy Dance in magnificent regalia that took him nine months to make. Sinclair-Paul is a member of the Loud Eagle Singers & Dancers. He was followed by Janine Thadeus who gave a demonstration of Hoop Dancing.
Guests also were given the rare opportunity to take part in a Round Dance, which is actually a prayer, explained Murdock. All present joined hands and moved in a sun-wise direction, trying to keep their left foot on the ground, to maintain a connection with Mother Earth.
A gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by the Interlake Tourism Association (ITA), followed at the community hall. A long list of dignitaries and community leaders made speeches and presented awards.
Selkirk-Interlake MP, James Bezan, brought greetings, and commended the Chief and Council for their leadership in helping to move the community forward. He praised the ITA for doing “a great job selling Manitoba’s Interlake.”
“We have so many things out here to brag about,” Bezan said.
Tom Nevakshonoff then talked about the abundance of treasures to be found in the Interlake, its parks and wildlife management areas. He spoke about the link between growing tourism and preserving the health of the environment, particularly the lakes.
RM of Armstrong councillor and IDC board member, Carol Lavellee, read out the long list of nominees for the Non Member Interlake Tourism Award category. The South Interlake ATV Club, which has trails spanning through the RMs of Fisher, Armstrong, Woodlands, and Rockwood, won the day, but there was strong competition from seven other groups. Also in this category were The Arnes Farmers Market, Fraserwood Hall, Gimli Car Club, Teulon & District Metis Association, Inc., Lake Francis Community Club, One Stop Gas & Food in Fisher Branch, and Teulon Truck & Tractor Pull.
The Service Excellence Award had three nominees: The Lakeview Resort & Conference Centre, Teulon Golf & Country Club, and Whytewold Emporium, the winner in this category.
Tammy Hudyma, from Community Futures East Interlake, presented the award in Marketing Excellence, which recognizes a marketing campaign that contributes to promoting Manitoba as a quality destination. Award contenders were in a tight race, with a half point separating first and second places, and one point between second and third. Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre secured the award. Other nominees were the Arborg/Bifrost Community Development Corporation (ABCDC), Gimli Community Development Corporation, and Red River North Tourism.
Next, the Partnership Award, was accepted by Mary Mccray Sinclair, on behalf of the Ochekwi-sipi Economic Development Corporation—Leigh Cochrane Memorial Visitors Centre. The award, which recognizes partnerships and alliances that demonstrate the power and value of cooperative approaches to tourism, was presented by Ken Hildebrand, Culture, Heritage & Tourism Secretariat. Other nominees in this category were the Arborg & District Agricultural Society Fair & Rodeo, and Second Nature Adventures in Discovery.
The Product Development category had five nominees: The Oak Point community Club, Second Nature –Adventures in discovery, The Fat Cat Bistro, Town of Arborg-Credit Union Aquatic Centre, and the winner, the Gimli Model Air Festival. This award recognizes a business or organization that has developed or expanded a new or existing tourism product.
The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Rachelle Burak of Arborg, who has spent thousands of hours over the past 25 years donating to causes in her community. There were a total of four nominations in this category, however Burak was the only one to have completed the required documentation necessary to be eligible for the award.
Finally, two nominees vied for the prestigious Interlake Award of Distinction. The Gimli Film Festival (GFF) won over the Whytewold Emporium for this honour. This award recognizes exceptional leadership that helps the Interlake and Manitoba realize distinction as a high quality tourism destination. To date, the GFF has screened over 800 films, and is the largest film festival to be held between Toronto and Vancouver.
