The Mille Lacs Area Human Rights Commission held their fifth annual awards luncheon on July 21. The Human Rights Commission was created in the Mille Lacs area in March of 2005. In the past, the commission has annually honored three people for achievements and outstanding performance in the field of human rights, specifically those who stand against prejudice and violence, and who promote human rights.
This year, four awards were presented to people who make a difference. The first award was presented by Margaret Hitzemann to Onamia special education paraprofessional Angie VanAlst. “Angie gives a positive perspective to students,” Hitzemann said. “She practices the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support program at Onamia. She always looks for the good in a person, and she finds the good in everyone.” The song “Find What You’re Looking For” by Amy Grant and Mindy Smith was played in honor of VanAlst. “There’s so much good in the worst of us, so much bad in the best of us. It never makes sense for any of us, to criticize the rest of us. We’ll just find what we’re looking for, we’ll find it and so much more,” VanAlst said. The song means so much to her and the lyrics hold true to her life. The second award was presented by Cyndy Rudolph on behalf of Mike Conner. Conner nominated ShadiAnn Schultz for her intense drive to promote human rights in the Isle School District. Schultz is the Isle K-12 discipline director, working in the Stop Think Plan room. “She works extremely hard with the students, staff and community to promote human rights, eliminate hate, prejudice, and discrimination and to celebrate our diversity,” Conner wrote. Schultz recognizes students and staff for following the Huskies Hi-5 guideposts: no teasing, always use proper language, keep hands and feet to yourself, be responsible and always be respectful. “Our students need to understand what it means to be respectful,” said Schultz. “But they also need to understand what it means to be respected.” The third award was presented by Pastor Kris Johnson, to a life-long friend, Sue Lyback. Growing up on Mille Lacs Lake, Lyback learned to be one with the community and environment not only physically, but spiritually as well. “Sue has helped organize and create the Voices of Unity group in the Mille Lacs area and has done a remarkable job,” said Johnson. “Sue may be moving away, but she will always be remembered for standing up against prejudice and promoting equality.” Lyback believes in a strong sense of freedom. “Freedom is about being free not only physically, but spiritually too and we all must fight for it,” she said. “I can’t be free as long as others remain in bondage.” The final award was presented by Father Dave Gallus to Mary Sam. “This last award goes to a person that everyone knows deserves it,” said Gallus. “She was the founding force of our Human Rights Commission and has been recognized throughout her life for the work she has done in human rights.” Mary Sam received the award once before, along with being honored by the state for her work in human rights. For years, Sam helped the Twin Cities and the Mille Lacs Band in the field of human rights. She has now taken over the human rights business on the campus of Central Lakes College. “We’ve got discrimination in our community,” Sam said. “We all have the change in our blood and can help make a difference.” The program came to a close with the reading by Gallus of an inspirational quote by Robert Kennedy. “Each time a man (woman) stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he (she) sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
Photo: Human Rights Award presenter Father Dave Gallus; award winners Angie VanAlst, Mary Sam, ShadiAnn Schultz and Sue Lyback; and presenter Rev. Kris Johnson at the annual Mille Lacs Area Human Rights Award luncheon. Photo by Ben Sam.
This year, four awards were presented to people who make a difference. 
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