Mamakwa female newsmaker of the year

For being chosen by her own peers to lead the northern Ontario region of the Anglican Church, Lydia Mamakwa of Kingfisher Lake is Wawatay’s female newsmaker of the year for 2010.
In May, in her own community, Mamakwa was consecrated a bishop of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The northern Ontario region is part of the Keewatin Diocese, which is headed by Archbishop David Ashdown. By amending its laws, it’s the first time the church has allowed a region within a diocese to choose its own bishop.
It’s a role Mamakwa wasn’t she sure she wanted at first. When originally asked to run for bishop, she declined. But a conversation with her husband, Chief James Mamakwa, changed her mind. He said it was too important not to consider the nomination.
Her consecration is the fulfillment of a long-term vision of Elders in the area. As bishop, Mamakwa says she wants to continue carrying this vision forward. The goal is that some day the northern Ontario region will be its own diocese – a First Nation ministry.
Mamakwa says Aboriginal people want to adapt church laws, or canons, to suit the needs of Aboriginal people and their communities, or as she describes, “make it our own.” She’s quick to add the Aboriginal delegates do not want to leave the church, but rather create their own place within the church as servants of God.
“Our people treasure the gospel,” she said.
And the Anglican Church welcomes her leadership.
“We see in you what it means to be a faithful servant of Jesus,” said Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, during Mamakwa’s consecration.
Mamakwa will have a seat alongside other bishops from across the country.
“I believe the national House of Bishops will be blessed by your quiet spirit … your gentle ways,” Hiltz said of Mamakwa.