2025 Grandmother/Elder
Grandmother Dr. Myra Laramee
Cree, ocêko-sîpiy (Fisher River Cree Nation)
Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards is proud to have Grandmother Dr. Myra Laramee as Elder on the Planning Committee. Grandmother Myra provides traditional knowledge and teachings to the planning committee. She advises on how best to celebrate and honour Indigenous youth through the Awards process and is present at the evenings event sharing joy and encouragement not only to the recipients but to the numerous guests attending the Gala awards.
Since 1976, Myra Laramee, a member of Fisher River Cree Nation, has helped transform Manitoba’s education system as a beloved teacher, co-founder of the Aboriginal Teaching Circle, administrator, counsellor, mentor, Traditional Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, and creator of no fewer than 12 guiding documents on how Manitoba can infuse Reconciliation, Indigenous languages, and Indigenous-centred content into curricula.
Myra is a Capan (Chapan, Grandmother), Mother, Sister, Daughter and friend. These roles have been significant in shaping the person that she is today, as have the mentors in Myra’s life who encouraged her to reach her potential. As a Traditional Knowledge Keeper, she imparts the importance of these relationships by teaching Ogichi Tibakonigaywin, Kihche Othasowewin, Tako Wakan: The Great Binding Law.
We are so happy to have Myra as our MIYAA Noogum (Grandmother).
Elder Carl W. Stone
Anishinaabe, Baaskaandibewiziibiing (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation)
Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards is proud to have Elder Carl W. Stone as Elder on the Planning Committee. Carl was born on the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. He was raised by his Grandmother Eliza Stone. Eliza was a respected Elder and of the Anishinaabe Midewin Society. Mr. Stone is a grandfather to five Naya, Aubrey, Logan, Ryan and Nora as well as a brother to 16 siblings.
For the last 49 years, Mr. Stone has been active in the reclaiming of the Anishinaabe spiritual and cultural ways of his people. In the mid-1970’s, Carl was one of seven young men of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation who played a role in bringing back the Traditional Drum and Ceremonies to Brokenhead First Nation. After 100 years of silence, the Brokenhead Drum sounded its voice again.
Among other works, Carl worked in addictions for 16 years and was a Chartered Member of the first Child and Family Services Steering Committee and its development. Carl worked Treaty Land Entitlement and is a former Director of Education for Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. Carl then received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. He then worked as a student, staff and faculty advisor for over 23 years at the Indigenous Student Center (ISC) at the University of Manitoba.
MIYAA is happy to have Elder Carl Stone as our MIYAA Elder.