This award is named in honour of Mrs. Mary Guilbault. She was a respected Elder in the Métis community and a pivotal player in the creation of the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Mary was born on June 19, 1930 in Fisher River, Manitoba to Elijah and Priscilla Bowers. She grew up on the Fisher River First Nation where she spent much of her early childhood years on the land with her parents and grandparents, trapping, hunting and fishing.
In the fall of 1943, the Indian Agent whisked her away to the Residential School. First to Brandon for several years and then to Birtle, where she completed high school. Mary came to realize that education was of utter importance in order to compete with the larger society.
On June 23, 1950 soon after departing the Residential School system, Mary Bowers met and married Mr. Ernie Guilbault, who was born and raised in Fannystelle. They settled in Winnipeg and together had five daughters, all of whom have entered the work force well educated and employed in various professional fields, from education to social work. Mary passed away on June 13, 2013.
Mary’s Contribution to the community included participation in;
The formation for the Manitoba Métis Federation in 1967 where she sat on the Board of Directors holding the Education Portfolio until 1974
The housing study that resulted in the Lord Selkirk Park Housing Development
An upgrading program that became nationally recognized and adapted by Canada Manpower
Forming the Court Communicators Program with Judge J.Rice and Judge I. Dubienski
The establishment of the Prince of Wales/Princess Ann Bursary for Métis Students
The establishment of counselling and tutoring services for the Nursing, Education and Social Work at Brandon University and the University of Manitoba
The establishment of satellite universities in northern Manitoba resulting in Assiniboine College (The Pas) and Keewatin College (Thompson)
The establishment of the Median Credit Union
Kinew Housing in 1970 - President-Board of Directors
Metis Women’s Organization – Board of Directors
Elizabeth Frye Society of Manitoba – Board of Directors
The All Nations Traditional Healing Centre Inc. – Board of Directors
Louis Riel Institute – Board of Directors
Mrs. Guilbault provided guidance to a vast number of Indigenous youth, men, and woman. In promoting the traditional and cultural values of the ancestors, she said “For me, the revitalization of my culture and traditional identity many years ago has assisted me with issues that have traumatized me in the past. Understanding the wisdom and spirituality of our ancestors brings many benefits into the everyday lives of our people.”
Through the Louis Riel Institute and Manitoba Métis Federation the Louis Riel Institute is proud to offer the Mary Guilbault Métis Award. This Award is named for the respected past LRI Board Member, Mrs. Mary Guilbault. The Mary Guilbault Métis Award is for Red River Métis post-secondary students who excel in academics as well as in the community.
Mary Guilbault Métis Award 2025/2026
This award is named in honour of Mrs. Mary Guilbault. She was a respected Elder in the Métis community and a pivotal player in the creation of the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Mary was born on June 19, 1930 in Fisher River, Manitoba to Elijah and Priscilla Bowers. She grew up on the Fisher River First Nation where she spent much of her early childhood years on the land with her parents and grandparents, trapping, hunting and fishing.
In the fall of 1943, the Indian Agent whisked her away to the Residential School. First to Brandon for several years and then to Birtle, where she completed high school. Mary came to realize that education was of utter importance in order to compete with the larger society.
On June 23, 1950 soon after departing the Residential School system, Mary Bowers met and married Mr. Ernie Guilbault, who was born and raised in Fannystelle. They settled in Winnipeg and together had five daughters, all of whom have entered the work force well educated and employed in various professional fields, from education to social work. Mary passed away on June 13, 2013.
Mary’s Contribution to the community included participation in;
The formation for the Manitoba Métis Federation in 1967 where she sat on the Board of Directors holding the Education Portfolio until 1974
The housing study that resulted in the Lord Selkirk Park Housing Development
An upgrading program that became nationally recognized and adapted by Canada Manpower
Forming the Court Communicators Program with Judge J.Rice and Judge I. Dubienski
The establishment of the Prince of Wales/Princess Ann Bursary for Métis Students
The establishment of counselling and tutoring services for the Nursing, Education and Social Work at Brandon University and the University of Manitoba
The establishment of satellite universities in northern Manitoba resulting in Assiniboine College (The Pas) and Keewatin College (Thompson)
The establishment of the Median Credit Union
Kinew Housing in 1970 - President-Board of Directors
Metis Women’s Organization – Board of Directors
Elizabeth Frye Society of Manitoba – Board of Directors
The All Nations Traditional Healing Centre Inc. – Board of Directors
Louis Riel Institute – Board of Directors
Mrs. Guilbault provided guidance to a vast number of Indigenous youth, men, and woman. In promoting the traditional and cultural values of the ancestors, she said “For me, the revitalization of my culture and traditional identity many years ago has assisted me with issues that have traumatized me in the past. Understanding the wisdom and spirituality of our ancestors brings many benefits into the everyday lives of our people.”
Through the Louis Riel Institute and Manitoba Métis Federation the Louis Riel Institute is proud to offer the Mary Guilbault Métis Award. This Award is named for the respected past LRI Board Member, Mrs. Mary Guilbault. The Mary Guilbault Métis Award is for Red River Métis post-secondary students who excel in academics as well as in the community.