Garnet Angeconeb receives order of Canada award

Garnet Angeconeb was presented with the Insignia for the Order of Canada by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “Garnet has always been front and centre when there was a call for justice and a voice of reason,” said Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day. “He is involved locally and regionally on many boards and committees and also nationally through his work with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A residential school survivor, Garnet has been on the forefront of demanding a formal apology from the federal government, which was delivered in 2008. He was a key figure in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which will deliver its final report on December 15. He is a well-respected man with a swift wit and a deep wisdom.” Garnet was presented with the Insignia for the Order of Canada by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, November 30 in Sioux Lookout. Garnet Angeconeb is an Anishinaabe originally from the Lac Seul First Nation and now lives in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. He attended Pelican Indian Residential School near Sioux Lookout from 1963 to 1969. Garnet suffered many negative effects of government policies in the decades following his years at the school. Despite those personal hardships, he became a journalist, a community leader, and a respected elder in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. In 1982, he graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a diploma in journalism. 
In 1985, Garnet was elected to the council of the municipality of Sioux Lookout. It was there that Garnet spearheaded the founding of the Sioux Lookout Anti-racism Committee. Today the Sioux Lookout Anti-racism continues its work with an added dimension to mandate that being the Sioux Lookout Coalition for Healing and Reconciliation. The SLCHR membership comprises of local former Indian Residential School students, clergy and interested citizens. Garnet also co-chairs the Sioux Lookout Coalition for Healing and Reconciliation. 
 Visit www.garnetsjourney.com where you will meet Garnet Angeconeb. Garnet will tell you stories from his life, in his own voice, in about 30 brief videos.