2025 Award Nominations

It's that time of year for ONWAA's exciting award nominations! Please submit your nominations by September 5th, 2025 for the following 3 awards:

1) Gabrielle Kakegamic Memorial Award

2) Jody R. Waddilove Memorial Award

3) Outstanding Homemakers Coordinator Award

Nominations are accepted via mail or email: [email protected]

Ontario Native Welfare Administrator's Association
21 Wilmer's Rd.,
Neyaashiinigmiing, ON N0H 2T0

Please see the eligibility criteria listed below for each award. 

Gabrielle Kakegamic Award

CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY: The award is presented annually to an ONWAA member community support staff or case worker  who has been of long-service to their community in the area of social assistance.  Income Assistance Case workers and support staff who meet the following criteria are eligible for the award:

• Members of an ONWAA community;
• A member of an Ontario First Nation community;
• Demonstrated long-service to their community; and or
• Advocacy and experience in the area of social assistance.
• Willingness to mentor others in the field.

Individuals must be nominated in writing and nominations must be submitted to ONWAA no later than six weeks prior to their annual fall assembly. All ONWAA members are eligible to submit nominations.  

Nominations must include:

1. Proof of ONWAA membership;
2. Letter of support from their Ontario First Nation community, which may be from a colleague, member of Chief and Council and or a community member.  Multiple letters are accepted and encouraged;
3. Any documentation regarding the nominee’s long service to their community and work in the area of social assistance.
4. Any other relevant documentation in support of the nomination.                                                                                                                                               

Jody R. Waddilove Memorial Award

The Jody R. Waddilove Memorial Award, established by his daughter Jodie-Lynn Waddilove, is in memory of the late Jody R. Waddilove.  Jody Waddilove was a long-standing member and executive of ONWAA and an Ontario Works Administrator in his community, the Munsee-Delaware Nation for 30 years.  Jody was a proud advocate for First Nations peoples and led a drug and alcohol free life.  He was also a respected Elder, former member of his First Nation’s Chief and Council, active community member and volunteer, and a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

This award honours Jody’s outstanding contribution and more than 30 years of leadership and advocacy in the areas of social assistance and social justice issues. 

CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY: The award is presented annually to an ONWAA member who has been of long-service to their community and or in the area of social assistance issues. 

Ontario Works Administrators who meet the following criteria are eligible for the award:

• Members of ONWAA;
• A member of an Ontario First Nation community;
• Demonstrated long-service to their community; and or
• Advocacy and experience in the area of social assistance and or social justice issues relating to First Nations peoples.

Individuals must be nominated in writing and nominations must be submitted to ONWAA no later than 6 weeks prior to their annual fall assembly.

Nominations must include:

1. Proof of ONWAA membership;
2. Letter of support from their Ontario First Nation community, which may be from a colleague, member of Chief and Council and or a community member.  Multiple letters are accepted and encouraged;
3. Any documentation regarding the nominee’s long service to their community and work in the area of social assistance and or social justice issues.
4. Any other relevant documentation in support of the nomination.

SELECTION PROCESS: Members of the ONWAA Executive, along with Jodie-Lynn Waddilove, will chose from the nominees, the winner of this award. 

AWARD & PRESENTATION: The award (one per year) consists of a certificate, as well as an award presentation at the annual ONWAA fall assembly in Toronto.  

Outstanding Homemakers Coordinator of the Year Award 

CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY
This award will be presented annually to an ONWAA member who has committed long term service to their community as a coordinator of the Homemakers and Nurses Services Program. 

Homemakers Coordinators who meet the following criteria are eligible for the award:

•  Members of ONWAA;
• A member of an Ontario First Nation community;
• Demonstrated long-service to their community; and or
• Advocacy and experience in the area of the Homemakers program and or Homemakers and Nurses Services Act issues relating to First Nations peoples.

Nominations must be in writing and include:

1. Proof of ONWAA membership (ONWAA can assist if requested).
2. Letter of support from their Ontario First Nation community, which may be from a colleague, member of Chief and Council and or a community member.  Multiple letters are accepted and encouraged.
3. Any documentation regarding the nominee’s long service to their community and work in the area of the Homemakers program and or Homemakers and Nurses Services Act.
4. Any other relevant documentation in support of the nomination

We look forward to receiving your nominations by September 5th, 2025, and presenting the awards at this year's Fall assembly on October 22 & 23, 2025 at the Chelsea Hotel. 

Miigwetch!