Penny Mickanuck receives her Lifetime Achievement Award from Minister of Community and Social Services Rajan Sawhney (Photo: Rajen Sawhney / Facebook)

By Shaun Penner

Lifetime Achievement

Mickanuck recognized for family violence prevention work with Lifetime Achievement award

Jul 24, 2020 | 5:04 PM

The Executive Director of the John Howard Society in Grande Prairie has been recognized for her nearly three decades in working to prevent family violence in the Peace Region.

Penny Mickanuck was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Alberta government on Friday, July 24 as part of the 2020 Inspiration Awards. The award comes in recognition of her 28 years of service with the John Howard Society, which works to provide programs and education that look into the causes and consequences of crime.

A statement from the province says Mickanuck has demonstrated leadership and has helped build capacity to help prevent family violence in the Grande Prairie area during her career.

“She pioneered the use of the narrative therapeutic approach within Alberta for treatment for people who have been abusive in their relationships,” reads the statement.

“She brought innovative training opportunities to Grande Prairie, organizing more than 10 community-training events on topics such as Narrative Therapy and Intelligent Compassion in Group Therapy.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

This is the second Lifetime Achievement award Mickanuck has been honoured with in 2020. Back in February, she was awarded the Chris Henderson Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 2020 Passionate Heart Awards, handed out annually by the Family and Community Support Services of the City and County of Grande Prairie, as well as the Towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley and the Village of Hythe.

The Inspiration Awards are given every year by the province and are meant to celebrate those raising awareness of family violence, sexual violence and abuse, and advancing healthy relationships.

A total of 17 individuals, organizations and businesses were handed Inspiration Awards in five categories on Friday, including the High Level Community Policing Society in the Family Violence Prevention category.

“These awards recognize outstanding community leaders who have gone above and beyond in helping prevent family violence, sexual violence and bullying in their communities,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Community and Social Services. “Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees, and thank you for your hard work and dedication to helping vulnerable Albertans.”

The list of 2020 winners can be found below:

Lifetime Achievement

• Penny Mickanuck (Grande Prairie)

Family Violence Prevention

• Paul Kent (Calgary)
• Christine Berry (Calgary)
• Carlene Donnelly (Calgary)
• The Today Family Violence Help Centre (Edmonton)
• Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF) Society (St. Albert)
• Islamic Family & Social Services Association (Edmonton)
• High Level Community Policing Society (High Level)
• Higgerty Law (Calgary)

Sexual Violence Prevention

• Dr. Kiara Mikita (Calgary)
• Tammy Shopland (Lloydminster)
• MacEwan Anti-Violence Education Network (Edmonton)
• Bow Valley Harmony Project (Banff)

Bullying Prevention

• Caroline Gosling (Missal), (Edmonton)
• Brett Todd (Cold Lake)

Innovation

• Dr. Deinera Exner-Cortens (Calgary)
• Ever Active Schools (Edmonton)