Photo Credit: Andrea Deleeuw

By Liam Verster

Recognition for Community Work

Local woman receiving IAAW Esquao Award

Jan 28, 2020 | 5:00 AM

Andrea Deleeuw is this year’s recipient of the Esquao Award. The Institution for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) hands out the award annually, to recognize the work Indigenous women do in their homes, in their communities, and in Alberta.

Deleeuw says she’s being recognized mainly for her involved in the community through the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, which she joined in 2011.

“I started in Youth Work, and then from there, I was involved in a lot of different things through the Friendship Centre. I served on the National Aboriginal Youth Council with the National Association of Friendship Centres, when I was really new to the Friendship Centre movement. And then from there I just kind of dove into community work. So, just a ton of different things.”

Deleeuw’s newest project is a website, Treaty 8 Territory Grande Prairie. She says it’s a way to show everything that’s happening in the community.

“What really was identified was there was a need for better communication about what was happening specific to the Indigenous community. Lots of people wanted information about different events that were happening, and about educational resources, and so I wanted to have that all in one place, so that people could have it.”

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“Then people can subscribe to the website. And there’s a blog aspect to it, so that’s really cool, where different community members can contribute their views on different things, and some cool things they’ve been working on.”

She says she has a lot of love for her community, and that she’s been given a lot, and feels like it’s her responsibility to give back, and getting an award for that is very special.

Deleeuw adds that people who are involved in the community almost have a responsibility to make sure everyone knows they are welcome to participate.

“I would hope that everyone would know that they’re always welcome at different events, and lots of Indigenous things that are happening in our community are not just for Indigenous people, they’re for everyone. So I hope that people feel welcome, and if they’re waiting for an invitation, that maybe they would accept this as they’re invitation.”

Deleeuw adds that anyone who wants to help their community can find great opportunities in Grande Prairie. She points to the Native Counselling Service, the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, and the Parent Link Program’s Indigenous based Family Drop-In Group. She also says her website has a few links to programs and projects to help get people involved.

Deleeuw will receive her award at an IAAW ceremony on May 2, at the River Cree Event Centre in Edmonton.