Two northerners are among the recipients of 2024 Premier’s Awards.
JP Gladu of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation and Lynne Innes of Moose Cree First Nation received the provincial honours on Nov. 25.
An initiative of Colleges Ontario, the annual awards celebrate the achievements of Ontario college graduates in areas including health care, science, technology and engineering, community services, the arts, business, and the skilled trades. It’s now in its 31st year.
Gladu, who was nominated in the Business category by Sault College, is principal of the consulting firm Mokwateh and currently sits on the board of directors of Suncor, the Institute for Corporate Directors, Broden Mining, and the First Nations Major Projects Coalition Advisory Centre.
He is chair of Canada's Forest Trust and a member of BHP's International Forum for Corporate Responsibility committee. Previously, he was president and CEO of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB). Gladu is also a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
Gladu holds a forestry technician diploma, an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University, an executive MBA from Queen’s University, and the ICD.D from Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Innes, who was nominated in the Health Sciences category by Northern College, is the president and CEO of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.
Starting her career as a registered nurse, Innes went on to become a nurse practitioner after completing a master’s degree in nursing and certification from Laurentian University. She’s additionally a certified health executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
After 10 years with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, Innes was named vice-president of clinical services and chief nursing executive in the fall of 2018. In June 2019, she was appointed president and CEO.
In addition, Innes serves as a board member on the Ontario Hospital Association’s board of directors, as a school board trustee with the Moosonee District Area School Board, and as the vice-chair of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Health Task Force.
