Every year the Willow Lake Métis Nation (WLMN) proudly honours two exceptional individuals as the Citizens of the Year. The Citizen of the Year awards aim to recognize outstanding individual contributions to the Nation and the communities in which they live, work, and play. These awards highlight their commitment to Métis culture, community involvement, and leadership.
This year’s recipients, Mary McKenzie and Deacon VanEe, have truly gone above and beyond in their contributions to the social and cultural life of Willow Lake Métis Nation and beyond in their commitment to hard work, community engagement, and cultural preservation.
Mary McKenzie: Adult Citizen of the Year
Born in Anzac and descended from one of the historical Métis families, Mary is a fountainhead of traditional knowledge, which she has long shared with individuals of diverse backgrounds and ages. Her teachings have played a vital role in the cultural and historical preservation of the Nation, and her ongoing efforts will ensure that this knowledge is transmitted to future generations.
Mary transmits her cultural teachings through art and storytelling. Throughout her life, she has taught numerous children and adults the art forms she learned from her mother, including beading, sewing, painting, carving and weaving. Her storytelling prowess is exemplified in a published collection of narratives from Northern Alberta Métis Elders, where she recounts the tale of “How the Black Poplar Got its Sacred Bard,” which was also shared with students at Bill Woodward School in Anzac.
Mary’s commitment to sharing her culture has significantly contributed to fostering community and understanding, while also preserving important knowledge, and her efforts have profoundly affected all those who have been fortunate to spend time in their company. They have also not gone unnoticed in the wider world. In 2022, she was honoured in 2022 with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her invaluable contributions to her community.
We are pleased to announce Mary McKenzie as this year’s Adult Citizen of the Year for the Willow Lake Métis Nation.
Deacon VanEe: Youth Citizen of the Year
Deacon VanEe hails from Anzac and traces his Métis ancestry through the two historical lines. Mature beyond his years, he has been actively engaged in junior leadership roles, scouts for a number of years and has participated in the WLMN Youth Summer Students program since its inception in 2021. These experiences have enabled him to cultivate discipline and accountability, which have helped him navigate life’s many challenges.
Deacon takes great pride in his Métis heritage and has actively participated in all aspects of moose hunting, aspiring to one day shoot his own moose. He has a deep love of the outdoors, eagerly seizing any opportunity to hunt, golf, fish, kayak, or ride ATVs. A culinary enthusiast, he particularly enjoys preparing moose burgers, a dish he has mastered, surpassing even his parents’ skills at preparing them.
As a remarkable son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, it is with great pleasure that we announce Deacon VanEe as this year’s Youth Citizen of the Year for the Willow Lake Métis Nation.
