A Beausoleil First Nation woman, who passed away earlier this year, has been honoured posthumously by the Ontario Native Women’s Association.
As part of the association’s 2022 Recognition Awards held recently, Brenda Jackson was named this year’s recipient of the Legacy Award. Jackson passed away at Georgian Bay General Hospital July 31 at the age of 53.
The Legacy Award goes to an Indigenous woman who impacted and contributed to the Indigenous women’s social justice movement.
Jackson was recognized for her leadership and dedication to the Georgian Bay Native Women’s Association (GBNWA) and the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC). She served as president of GBNWA for more than 25 years.
“Her work will continue to ripple through our communities for years to come and inspire Indigenous women everywhere to reach for the top, as no dream is too big," the association noted in handing out the honour.
She was Zhoonya Penesse Kwe (ba), of the Red Hawk Clan, from Chimnissing (Beausoleil First Nation), Ojibwa Anishinabekwe and Second Degree Medewiwin of the Three Fires Medewiwin Lodge.
“Brenda was a loving mother to her beautiful daughter, Christy,” the association noted in memory of Jackson. “Brenda was a proud grandmother of two astounding little girls who lit up her world.”
Jackson was remembered for her deep love of family and as a loving and devoted sister to Kathy and Sheri.
“They were often referred to as corn, beans and squash,” the association noted. “Brenda was Beans, Kathy is Corn and Sheri is Squash. Individually, they are each strong and doing their life’s purpose, but together, they were the three sisters!”
Growing together, the three sisters protected each other and were stronger by each other’s sides, the association pointed out.
“An Elder once said that seeing each of them was nice, but having the three of them together, they had a positive impact on all those around them. Like a braid of sweetgrass, they attracted positive energies and brought it into the work they did with community.”
Jackson is described as each day living her life the Anishnabe way, sharing in the love of the teachings and natural ways of life.
“An Elder described Brenda’s leadership as one who’s focus was to meet the priorities of the people,” the association noted.
“If the community needed it, you could trust Brenda to get it done. This is what made her contributions so impactful. Her priority was to meet the needs of the people she served.
“She did this with heart and compassion, and her work will leave an everlasting impact for our region.
Under her leadership, GBNWA started with two programs, then to five and now employs 25 people full-time.
“Brenda was a mentor to many. She shared her knowledge and a piece of her heart with everyone she met.” the association stated.
“There are many versions of Brenda, Zhoonya Penesse Kwe Ba, each one equally as great as the next. She played many important roles within our family, our community and beyond, and she filled these roles perfectly."
For more information about the awards, click here.
