Kaska Dena Elder Mary Caesar Recognized as National Indigenous Trailblazer
Press Release
March 08, 2019
Yukon Women in Mining (YukonWIM) and Golden Predator Mining Corp. (Golden Predator) are pleased to recognize Kaska Dena Elder Mary Caesar (Ła Gedenī Nedestī Ahōl – Strong Woman Walking), who was awarded the Women in Mining Canada 2019 National Indigenous Trailblazer Award at a ceremony on Toronto on March 5th, 2019. Mary was joined by her family, Kaska citizens Dorothy Smith, Nora Ladue, Susan Magun, Golden Predator CEO Janet Lee-Sheriff, YukonWIM representatives and approximately 1,000 people at a ceremony honouring significant achievements by Women in Mining.
Mary embodies the “trailblazing spirit” that helps women achieve success within the mineral industry and has brought ingenuity into the process of creating inclusion, mutual respect and understanding amongst the mining community and local first nations. In 2018, she suggested an Elders-in-Residence Program for Golden Predator’s 3 Aces exploration project in the Southeast Yukon and Kaska Traditional Territory. This program is an innovative way to encourage the sharing of First Nation knowledge and perspectives while building community relationships within the mining sector, a first of its kind and one that proved incredibly valuable.
Golden Predator launched the Kaska Nation Elders-in-Residence Program in May 2018, in which 80 elders went through the program for the duration of the season. The program concluded with an Elder and Youth Retreat at 3 Aces, a truly holistic experience.
“Golden Predator Board, management and staff all join me in congratulating Mary Caesar for receiving national recognition with the Indigenous Trailblazer Award. Mary’s initiative has led to an innovative way to create meaningful community engagement at the grassroots level,” said Janet Lee-Sheriff, CEO of Golden Predator. “With her strong voice she has brought communities together to create the potential for the creation of wealth and opportunity in rural Yukon communities. We are very thankful to Mary for creating positive change and connections as we move forward together for the benefit of our communities and company.”
“Mary has brought a community together through her dedication to innovation, collaboration and the sharing of traditional knowledge to support Yukon’s minerals industry. She has proven that mutually beneficial relationships can be cultivated, appreciated and can create strong community bonds in which everyone is heard, respected and given the tools to succeed. The Elders-in-Residence Program proved that there is a space for everyone in the sector, Elders, youth, and women and to us there is no greater trailblazer than one who not only clears the path but creates a home for all,” stated YukonWIM President and Founder, Anne Turner. “Yukon Women in Mining is honoured to have been a part of the nomination and to have been able to celebrate with Mary during the Women in Mining Canada International Reception at 2019 in Toronto earlier this week.”
Mary, a residential school survivor, has shown resilience and ingenuity in creating new dialogue within the community and credits the Kaska culture instilled in her from her elders for her survival and ability to thrive in the face of diversity. Bringing the same teachings to Golden Predator’s 3 Aces project has provided everyone involved in the program with the same strength, understanding and knowledge needed to succeed and grow within the sector and life in general, a truly immeasurable gift.
Yukon Women in Mining
Yukon Women in Mining (YukonWIM) is a regional not-for-profit organization focused on creating awareness and attraction to the opportunities for rewarding careers for women in the mineral exploration and mining industry. YukonWIM partners with WIM Canada and Yukon-based organizations to meet the needs of the minerals sector today and into the future. YukonWIM is proud to provide new opportunities to its members and industry, through our education and awareness activities and events, as well as our attraction, retention and mentorship initiatives. These initiatives foster personal and professional development and networking opportunities in Yukon’s mineral sector.
Golden Predator Mining Corp.
Golden Predator Mining Corp. is a gold exploration company focused on advancing key projects with significant exploration upside, good infrastructure and community support. The Company is actively advancing the Brewery Creek Project, Yukon, a past-producer with a 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment prepared pursuant to NI 43-101. The 3 Aces Project hosts a high grade orogenic gold system with visible gold at surface and strong structural continuity at depth. Bulk sampling and processing at the 50 tpd Company-owned processing plant has demonstrated gold recoveries of over 85% using a chemical-free process. This green gold provides for the production of .9999 fine gold coins from the Yukon Mint, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Golden Predator.
For additional information:
Anne Lewis
President & Founder
Yukon Women in Mining
(867) 335-1452
info@yukonwim.ca
FB: www.facebook.com/YukonWomenInMining/
Janet Lee-Sheriff
Chief Executive Officer
Golden Predator Mining Corp.
(604)260-5029
info@goldenpredator.com
www.goldenpredator.com
Mary Caesar Ła Gedenī Nedestī Ahōl (Strong Woman Walking)
Mary is a Kaska Dena Elder from the Liard First Nation in Watson Lake, Yukon and member of the Wolf clan. She is an artist, writer, poet, mother, grandmother and residential school survivor. Born in Upper Liard in 1955 her parents taught her traditional skills and teachings until she was removed from her family in 1961 for four years. While residential school devastated lives, families and communities and everyone is on their own healing journey, Mary believes she has learned to survive and thrive due to the pride of her Kaska culture instilled from her parents and Kaska Elders.
Mary is the catalyst behind the Elders-in-Residence Program which was suggested by her at a public meeting. The Program was implemented immediately. She is actively involved in the Program’s future and believes people need to find their voice, work together and Kaska Elders need to be proactive in the mining industry for the future and well-being of the Kaska Nation.
Mary is a cultural presenter and storyteller, sharing what her parents taught her and is currently learning to speak her Kaska language. Mary received her Fine Arts Diploma from Malaspina College (now Vancouver Island University) in Nanaimo and in addition to producing art she also teaches workshops. She has travelled to Switzerland and Germany as part of a Yukon First Nation art show. She is the author of “My Healing Journey” published in Germany. Mary has two sons and several grandchildren.
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