The Bonnyville Friendship Centre is proud to celebrate CEO Janet Gobert as a recipient of the 2026 Esquao Award for Community Involvement, recognizing her outstanding leadership, advocacy and lifelong dedication to Indigenous communities.

Gobert was recently appointed to the Government of Alberta’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Bursary Committee, where she will help support Indigenous students pursuing post-secondary education across the province. The appointment reflects her ongoing commitment to advancing educational opportunities, equity and meaningful support systems for Indigenous learners and families.

As CEO of the Bonnyville Friendship Centre, Gobert has played a leading role in addressing critical community needs while strengthening programs, partnerships and supports throughout the region. Her work continues to create safe, welcoming and culturally grounded spaces for Indigenous people in Bonnyville and beyond.

“Janet leads with compassion, strength and lived experience,” said the Bonnyville Friendship Centre. “Her dedication to uplifting others and advocating for Indigenous families has had a lasting impact on our community.”

Gobert’s advocacy is deeply rooted in her personal journey as an MMIWG2S+ survivor and an intergenerational residential school survivor. Through both her professional and personal experiences, she has become a powerful voice for justice, healing, safety and reconciliation.

The Esquao Awards celebrate Indigenous women across Alberta who demonstrate leadership, resilience and positive change within their communities. Gobert’s recognition highlights not only her professional accomplishments but the meaningful relationships and trust she has built throughout her years of service.

The Bonnyville Friendship Centre congratulates Janet Gobert on this well-deserved honour and thanks her for her continued commitment to the community.