Today, the Saskatchewan NDP held a reception at the legislature to honour Brenda Reynolds, a status treaty member of the Fishing Lake Saulteaux First Nation. Reynolds is the first Indigenous person and first Canadian to receive the UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize which is awarded to two recipients every five years.
Reynolds is a social worker and nationally recognized leader in Indigenous Health, trauma-informed care, and reconciliation. She also played a vital role in the largest court-ordered Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.
Saskatchewan NDP MLA and Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Betty Nippi-Albright led the reception and celebration of Reynolds.
“To stand here today and recognize a trailblazer such as Brenda is a privilege,” said Nippi-Albright. “The work that she has done and continues to do is a beacon of hope for Indigenous people not just in Canada but all over the world”.
The Prize recognizes the achievements in the service of humanity as guided by the purposes and principles of the UN, while honouring and paying homage to Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation.
“Brenda is the first Indigenous person to receive this award,” said Nippi-Albright. “She is an inspiration to us all. I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say I can’t wait to see what Brenda does next.”