Yvonne 'Bonnie' Bressette is being recognized for her transformational leadership and guidance as a long-serving member of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Band Council.
In 1988, the now 85-year-old, became the first female chief of the First Nation, and served as a council member for over four decades.
Bressette was named to the Order of Canada on December 29, 2022 and calls it a huge honour.
"People respect each other and help each other, and work together they can accomplish so much," said Bressette. "That's always been the way of our life. My dad taught me very young that there's no woman's job, there's no man's job, if there's a job that has to be done and you're the only one there, get it done."
She said all of her accolades over the years were part of a team effort.
"All those years I worked, I always had the whole community was working," she said. "I've always said our community is such a beautiful community, with a beautiful history, language and culture."
Before her time on band council, Bressette owned and operated Lakeside Restaurant, and played a part in the development of the community's first-ever plaza.
Bressette was one of 99 members to be honoured in 2022's Order of Canada, which recognizes individuals who make extraordinary contributions to the country.
"I just want people to treat people equally, understanding that we all have differences, different backgrounds and stuff like that, but respect and treat people equally and life will be so much better," said Bressette.
A date for the investiture ceremony where recipients will receive their insignia has not yet been released.
