In each and every MWF affiliated club there are individuals who regularly devote time and energy to the activities of their club which directly, or indirectly, support the mission of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. In every community, there are individuals and groups who volunteer their time and talents to further the cause of conservation, and the future of angling and hunting. For the most part, they go unheralded, with their only reward being the personal satisfaction of “doing their part for wildlife”, but the Manitoba Wildlife Federation wants to recognize those people for their untiring efforts. NOMINATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 16, 2009. These awards will be presented Saturday, January 16th at the Annual Convention Awards Banquet in Russell. Note: Volunteer Service Awards can also be given out at any MWF general meeting. Help the Federation acknowledge its “most valuable asset” by nominating that individual, association, or agency for any of the following awards: VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD: Awarded to those who have given freely of their time and energy for many years and are always available to lend a hand, regardless of the task. MANITOBA OUTDOOR HERITAGE AWARD: Awarded for demonstrating a commitment to protect and enhance the privileges of all Manitobans who participate in the heritage that is hunting and fishing and to pass on those traditions in good health to future generations. JACK DUNLOP MEMORIAL CONSERVATION AWARD: Awarded in memory of Jack Dunlop for who "conservation was a way of life" for an outstanding contribution to conservation through an individual effort or community, provincial or national conservation program/project. MWF AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Awarded to recognize an MWF affiliate for past and/or present work or project that promotes and supports fish and wildlife conservation and enhancement, participation in the traditions of hunting and angling, youth outdoor activities, involvement in the community and charitable causes. 2010 AWARD WINNERS ! VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS: Mr. Abe Wiebe Abe has been an active member of his club since its inception in 1997. He has helped out with every activity that his association has ever undertaken including working on a dock project, making advertising signs, raising and lowering their giant tent, the annual ice fishing derby, trophy buck night and our annual rubber duck race where he brings most of the equipment, including his own boats. He has been a volunteer coach for the Recreational Fishing League from 2004 to 2009 and out of those 5 years his teams have twice finished in first place in the province. Kids on his team have received MVP honours three different times. Abe Wiebe is one of those people who always helps and often goes ahead and does things on his own. Sometimes those things go unnoticed, but not unappreciated, and he is most deserving of a Volunteer Service Award. Nominated by Rivers Game & Fish Association Mr. Mitch Ledoyan Mitch Ledoyen has been a member of his club for the past 30 years and an Executive member for 25 of those years. Mitch has chaired just about every committee that his club has, from fund raising to fish and big game committees. He has helped out in every aspect of the Junior Rifle program, runs the annual youth fishing derby, coaches a team in the Manitoba Recreational Fishing League, and has served as club treasurer. He is always willing and able to help out wherever he is needed and is an enthusiastic advocate when it comes to promoting conservation, wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing. Mitch is a most worthy recipient of a Volunteer Service Award. Nominated by St. Boniface Wildlife Association MANITOBA OUTDOOR HERITAGE AWARD: Mr. Arnie Sakolinsky Arnie Sakolinsky received a standing ovation for his contribution to our hunting heritage. At the age of 17 Arnie Sakolinsky felt a calling for the sea, joining the Royal Canadian Navy in 1961 and serving his country on both coasts. He had the privilege to command the HMCS Mirimachi and the NMCS Fundy. In 1987 he was posted to Winnipeg where he served until 1995, when he was released due to medical reasons. During all of this time, hunting and fishing was part of his life, but as life is, his Multiple Sclerosis was causing him to have to use a wheelchair to sustain his everyday life. He did not let this slow him down and continued his outdoor activities. In 1995, together with other like-minded folk, he founded the Field and Stream Association for Manitobans with Disabilities and they became an affiliate of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. Arnie initiated a very ambitious provincial appeal to allow big game hunting from stationary vehicles. In 1996 provincial regulations were changed to allow mobility restricted big game hunters to discharge a firearm from a stationary vehicle. The next issue to be dealt with was to have the Federal Government amend the Migratory Game Bird Regulations to recognize the needs of mobility restricted hunters and permit hunting of waterfowl from a stationary vehicle. Thanks to Arnie’s determination and perseverance, and nine years of wading through bureaucratic red tape courtesy of the Canadian Wildlife Service, mobility restricted hunters from all across Canada now have the opportunity to go waterfowl hunting. Although many agencies and individuals assisted in his endeavor to bring forward the issue of mobility restricted hunters and to help people continue to enjoy the life style they have chosen, it takes one person to lead the charge. Through his efforts Arnie Sakolinski has made a significant contribution to our hunting heritage, for this and future generations of hunters, and is the recipient of the 2010 Manitoba Outdoor Heritage Award. MANITOBA AFFLIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD: St. Boniface Wildlife Federation St. Boniface Wildlife Association was formed in 1971 by a small group of sportsmen who shared an interest in hunting, fishing, shooting sports and conservation. From the very beginning, and continuing to this day, the vision of this club is “to promote, enhance and educate our membership on conservation, safety and sportsmanship, and as well, to foster awareness and appreciation of wildlife and habitat.” This club encourages youth and family participation by offering hands-on opportunities to participate in wildlife activities. Every year the club hosts a children’s fishing derby, an ice fishing derby, a week-end fishing event at Caddy Lake and a shooting weekend where kids are introduced to different types of firearms at the MWF Education Center. Encouraging family participation extends to their meetings as well (“Kid’s Night” and “Ladies Night”) and by offering things such as a photo contest. St. Boniface Wildlife has been actively involved with the Junior Rifle/Hunter Education programs, running one of only two programs within the City of Winnipeg. Members have supported the Hides to Habitat program and Wild Gobblers Unlimited since the inception of both, and sponsored and coached teams in the Recreational Fishing League. Members freely volunteer their time to help out with St. Boniface activities and events as well as venues coordinated by the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, such as the Learn to Fish program, the Mid-Canada Boat Show, Hunting Appreciation Day, etc. and have hosted the MWF convention not once but twice in the last few years. St. Boniface Wildlife Association has and continues to be, one of the most active associations, and a most deserving recipient of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation 2010 Affiliate of the Year Award. 2009 AWARD WINNERS ! VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS: Mr. Norman Paracholski and Mr. Russ Horobetz Mr. Don Lee Mr. Ryan Coburn Mr. Don Pottinger Mr. Ken Podruski Mr. Rick Kirkpatrick Mr. Julius Waedt Mr. Hal Sveistrup Mr. Harold Desveaux MANITOBA OUTDOOR HERITAGE AWARDS: Mr. John Williams Mr. Don Porter JACK DUNLOP MEMORIAL CONSERVATION AWARD: Mr. Rudy Turman MANITOBA AFFLIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Thompson Wildlife Association