The accomplished musician and activist works with STR8UP 10,000 Little Steps to Healing and her work there caught the eye of Kim Beaudin, President of the Coalition of Aboriginal Peoples Saskatchewan and who also works with Sunn. He nominated her for the prestigious award.

“I was really struck with the life struggles she had overcome and as I got to know her more and thought ‘wow this person has really overcome a lot’ and she can certainly send a positive message for Aboriginal people to understand when you hit rock bottom, you can get up and you can make a better life for yourself,” says Beaudin.

Sunn started this path when she began her own healing. She leads an alcohol and drug-free life and is going onto her fourth year of sobriety. When she heard that she was going to receive the award, she felt overwhelmed and shocked.

“From where I’ve been in my life having gone through addiction, through the foster care system, experiencing abuses and dysfunction in my childhood to being incarcerated…it’s a great honour.”

Since then, she’s been focusing her time working with many non-profit organizations such as STR8UP, Riverbend Integrated Community Ministries as well as focusing on her greatest passion, music. She incorporates her songs into her community presentations to inspire others to pick up a lifestyle of healthiness. Her performance at the FSIN Strength of Spirit awards left many in the audience with tears in their eyes. She intends to release an album in late spring with all of her own songs on it.

“I really strive to attract people to the idea that in order to be successful, you have to be successful in your own life,” she says. “You can change your life, there is help and there are people out there who understand and will absolutely help you if you ask for it.”

Beaudin says he comes across people who struggle each and every day that Jorgina tries to help and that is why he believes Sunn was a great nominee for the award.

“I believe she’s going to move on to even better things down the road.”