Awards we've received:
2011 CHIEF DAVID CROWCHILD AWARD
Ghost River Rediscovery in honoured to announce that it’s Executive Director, Michael Lickers was awarded the 2011 Chief David Crowchild Award. Each year this honour is awarded to individuals that have gone to great lengths to bridge the gap, create dialogue and build relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures. Michael Lickers is a passionate, inspiring and committed man whose firm belief in the power and strength of community shows in his undoubted commitment to the Aboriginal community, youth and to this city. He is not only making major waves in the Aboriginal community, Michael has also shared his experiences and knowledge in an effort to heighten our communities understanding of Aboriginal cultures around the world.He avails himself at all costs to get his message across - our two worlds can work together, live together, and create change together. We are pleased to be part of this truly admirable experience and continue to support Michael as leader in Aboriginal education and awareness.
2011 DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Ghost River Rediscovery Society is pleased to announce that it was recently awarded this year’s Alberta Business of Distinction Diversity Leadership Award through the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
“The value and importance of acknowledging and appreciating the many cultures that make up the multicultural fabric of our city is vital – we are one of the most diverse cities in Canada,” said Michael Lickers, Executive Director for Ghost River Rediscovery Society. “We have individuals working within our organization that represent countries from across the world,” added Lickers.
The Alberta Business of Distinction Awards was launched in 1991 to honour and celebrate business excellence. Every year select organizations from across Alberta are chosen as finalists and are awarded at the annual awards gala.
Successful recipients were announced on March 4, 2011, in Edmonton, Alberta. Ghost River Rediscovery beat out three high profile competitors, all from the Calgary region. “It is amazing to be recognized, even more so to stand out from such distinguished competitors,” said Lickers.
Ghost River Rediscovery Society takes great pride in providing outdoor cultural education services to individuals of all ages, races, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds – a practice that is reflected in their staff.
“Creativity and innovation has kept our organization one step ahead and has allowed us to lead our staff into successful roles while supporting diversity, productivity, and individual growth,” said Lickers. “That alone, in our mind, has made us a leader, because we recognize and acknowledge that employees are by far the best asset to an organization,” Lickers concluded.
2005 UNITED WAY ABORIGINAL INCLUSIVENESS AWARD
The George Blondeau Aboriginal Inclusiveness Award was established to honor the late George for his compelling work at United Way to become inclusive of Aboriginal people in the profit and non-profit communities. In 2005, Ghost River Rediscovery was honored to be the recipient of this award. Ghost River is honored and will continue to work hard at creating better relationships between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities.
2006 ANNUAL CANADIAN AWARD for INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Ghost River Rediscovery is honoured to have been a finalist for the prestigious Canadian Awards for International Co-operation, co-funded by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
GRR was one of 19 organizations nominated for the 14th annual awards, which recognize the excellence of Canadian organizations working in developing countries. GRR’s nomination recognized the contributions of its Empowering Indigenous Youth program in Guyana, which building leadership skills among youth from Canada and Guyana.
“By providing leadership and practical skills training in communication technology, business skills, and proposal writing to the young, the Ghost River Rediscovery Society is enhancing connections and building a new generation of leaders across Indigenous communities in both countries,” said a CME news release. “This has fostered the development of leadership skills and important connections to their Aboriginal cultures and those of other indigenous groups throughout the Americas.”
2006 BETTER BUSINESS AWARD - Honorable Mention
Ghost River Rediscovery received an honourable mention in the 2006 Better Business Bureau of Southern Alberta Business Ethics Awards in the Non-Profit/Charitable Organization category.
Announced Nov. 9, the awards recognize businesses and organizations that display outstanding ethics in dealing with consumers, employees, vendors and the community.
“As a non-profit organization and a registered charity, we know how important it is to build ethical practices into every component of our operations and programming and our thanks go out to the Better Business Bureau for recognizing our achievements in this regard,” said GRR operations manager Sonya Kobelsky.
2003 CHIEF DAVID CROWCHILD AWARD
Ghost River Rediscovery is honored and humbled to be the recipient of the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award. This award is given out every year during Native Awareness Week to the aboriginal agency that works toward bridging the gap and creating dialogue and relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures. Ghost River Rediscovery's achievements reflect the goals and values that Chief David Crowchild lived by, as his greatest desire was to achieve harmony, peace, and dignity for all.