Alberta Native News - Digital Edition - November, 2017

Volume 34 Number 11 November, 2017

Distributing in Alberta and across Western Canada

ALBERTA NATIVE NEWS

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Cover art by Terry McCue, Eagle Fan, Oil on canvas, 40" x 30", 2017.

On exhibit at the Art Gallery of St. Albert, artgalleryofstalbert.ca.

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Alberta Native News

November, 2017

Saluting the important contributions of Indigenous veterans

By John Copley These days, heroes are found flying across movie screens, battling aliens in video games, and punching out villains in the pages of comic books. But in reality, heroes have been defending our freedoms for a very long time.

“Zinging bullets, the crashing sounds of cannon-fire, muddy trenches, miles of barbed wire and bodies strewn across the landscape; war is indeed little more than hell on earth,” assures 83-year-old veteran John McDonald.

“Over the years I have spoken with and worked with many Indigenous veterans. Those who made it back from the wars were proud of their participation, sorry for the losses of their friends and fellow soldiers, and all with words that praised the comfort of peace and offered prayers that the world would see no more war.”

Recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration with two bars, McDonald served for 31 years as a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery and Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers, and another eight in the Reserve.

Today, as the president of the Aboriginal Veteran’s Society of Alberta, he assists those in need in addition to being a recruitment coordinator with the Canadian Forces’ Bold Eagle Program.

“Indigenous people who served their country did so for a variety of reasons,” explains McDonald. “Some just wanted the opportunity to participate, to work, to leave the reserves they felt trapped on. Others wanted to honour their ancestors and to follow in the footsteps of their uncles, fathers and grandfathers. Indigenous people proved to be natural soldiers – they were skilled shooters, stealthy movers, experts at camouflage and fearless fighters.”

Indeed, for more than a century, thousands of Canadian Indigenous soldiers, sailors and air force members have participated in conflicts across the globe, including the Boer War, World War I and II, and the Korean War. They have also been among the most celebrated.

During World War I, Indigenous soldiers earned at least 50 decorations for bravery. Among them was Private George McLean, a member of British Columbia’s Head of

the Lake Band, who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in the 54th Kootenay Battalion. The book, Native Soldiers: Foreign Battlefields, notes: “Single-handed he captured 19 prisoners, and later when attacked by five more (enemy soldiers) who attempted to reach a machine gun, he was able - although wounded - to dispose of them unaided, thus saving a large number of casualties.”

Others include Henry Louis Norwest, an Alberta Métis soldier and one of the most famous snipers of the entire Canadian Corps. He held a divisional record of 115 fatal shots and was awarded the Military Medal and bar for his courage under fire. Francis Pegahmagabow, an Ojibwa from Ontario, was another top sniper and to this day remains Canada’s most decorated Indigenous soldier.

World War II also witnessed extraordinary feats of courage and stealth. A member of the Brokenhead Band in Manitoba and descendant of Saulteaux Chief Peguis, Tommy Prince was recruited into the 1st Special Service Force (1st SSF), a renowned assault team known by the enemy as the “Devil’s Brigade.” As the Canadian Encyclopedia recounts: “Prince distinguished himself with the 1st SSF in Italy and France, using the skills he'd learned growing up on the reserve… In February 1944, he volunteered to run a communication line 1,400 metres out to an abandoned farmhouse that sat just 200 metres from a German artillery position. He set up an observation post in the farmhouse and for three days reported on German movements via a communication wire.

“When the wire was severed during shelling, he disguised himself as a peasant farmer and pretended to work the land around the farmhouse. He stooped to tie his shoes and fixed the wire while German soldiers watched, oblivious to his true identity. At one point, he shook his fist at the Germans, and then at the Allies, pretending to be disgusted with both. His actions resulted in the destruction of four German tanks that had been firing on Allied troops.

“In France in the summer of 1944, Prince endured a gruelling trek across rugged terrain to locate an enemy camp. He travelled without food or water for 72 hours. He returned to the Allied position and led his brigade to the German encampment, resulting in the capture of more than 1,000 German soldiers.”

For his selfless acts, Prince was decorated with the Military Medal personally by King George VI at Buckingham Palace. He enlisted again in the Korean War and, as a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation for distinguished service. He

Don Langford is a Metis Elder and 37-year veteran who served in five different Canadian Forces bases as well as in Germany during WWII.

would also personally receive Korean, Canadian Volunteer Service and United Nations Service medals.

“Indigenous soldiers,” observes Métis Elder and 37year veteran Don Langford, “were elite fighters throughout the various wars and conflicts they’ve participated in. More important is that they returned home with a great deal of knowledge and leadership abilities.”

Some of these include Sam Sinclair who played a major role in developing the Métis Nation of Alberta, Stan Shank who helped create Native Counselling Services and the Canadian Native Friendship Centres, Vic Letendre who developed Native Youth Justice Society, and Lt. David Greyeyes who returned home to become Chief of his Band, a director with Indian Affairs and a Member of the Order of Canada. As Langford notes, “The list goes on.”

Langford, the executive director of Edmonton-based Métis Child and Family Services, himself served in five different Canadian Forces bases as well as in Germany. He was one of about 30 serving members who lobbied for greater Indigenous rights and to create opportunities for young Indigenous Canadians in the military.

“It was about 16 years ago when Canada’s Armed Forces recognized the contributions by Aboriginal soldiers, sailors and airmen,” says Langford. “They now allow First Nations servicemen to wear their braids and, more recently, the Métis to wear their sashes. Aboriginal veterans are also allowed to wear their Aboriginal War Medal, which was created about a decade ago.”

The actual number of Native Canadians who participated in the two World War campaigns is not actually known. Accurate records weren’t kept and many Indigenous peoples, including the Métis and the Inuit who were not included in the Indian Act didn’t qualify for the tally sheets that included First Nations soldiers. The number however was high. During the First World War alone, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, one in three Indigenous men who were of age to serve enlisted to defend their country.

Today, members of Canada’s Armed Forces continue to protect the nation’s interests, and are involved in everything from territorial surveillance and assisting with natural disasters to serving as peacekeepers and providing humanitarian assistance. Indeed, there is no reason to look up to the sky for a hero. We simply need to look around us.

This article was originally published in Syncrude Canada's 2017 Pathways Magazine.

November, 2017

Alberta Native News

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Alberta Native News

November, 2017

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Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

By John Copley Two months after National Inquiry into Missing and various cries from the public, from organizations and from Murdered Women and Girls (MMIWG) health experts opposition parties, even from survivors who say the and lawyers met in the Alberta capital to prepare for the process is taking too long and that no one is looking into Edmonton segment of the inquiry, and just one week after old cases in order to bring justice to the victims and their Chief Commissioner Marion Buller called for a national families. Chief Commissioner Buller defended the police task force to look into old allegations and commission and explained that they are also experiencing investigations, Buller and Commissioners Qajaq some frustration.

Robinson and Brian Eyolfson arrived in Edmonton to “We don’t have a police force arm to work with us, to begin hearing three days of testimony from survivors and help survivor families get the answers they want and so families of those who were murdered or have disappeared. desperately need to have,” she said in a recent statement.

Inquiry commissioners are visiting “This has been a challenge from the beginning. According communities in Alberta, Nova Scotia, to our terms of reference we can refer matters to the police Manitoba, British Columbia and the services for re-investigation, but only when we find new Yukon to talk to survivors and examine information and that’s an important distinction. For the circumstances behind the deaths families that are living with questions for generations and disappearances of hundreds of they don’t fall neatly into that little box. What we need to Indigenous women and girls over the do is provide the opportunity, or a past several decades. Once the final venue, to get the answers that hearings have been completed the these families so Commission will prepare a report desperately need.” that will include recommendations One of those to promote safer and healthier venues, she added, communities. could become a On November 6, 2017 reality if Health the commission arrived in Canada heeds a Edmonton to participate request from the in both the Lighting of Commission to the Sacred Fire and the expand currently opening ceremonies. inadequate The hearings began programs for the on November 7 and individuals and concluded on families who November 9. Early testify. reports indicated that 58 The commission’s survivors would offer testimony report also calls for at the inquiry but when the hearings wound up that Health Canada to expand an number had increased to 75. existing support program for Debbie Reid, the Executive Director of the National those who testify.

Inquiry, told media that there is a misconception by many During her opening remarks Marion people about what it takes to achieve the goals of the Buller said that the commission “will listen commission. and share in the loss of each families’ loved ones and we “These aren’t 15-minute interviews,” she said, noting will share in the violence experienced by each survivor. that most take over an hour and that the Commission was This may feel like a heavy weight to carry and indeed it is, working 18 hours a day to achieve the goals of the but we do not carry this weight alone. There is strength in initiative. numbers and we will share the weight, the burden of this “Most inquiries,” she noted, “are about a time frame or testimony. Together we will witness each contribution to what happened between this date and that. We’re not the record of evidence of the National Inquiry. We are here looking at time frames (and) we’re not looking at specific to listen so that we can gain further insight into the actions. For me, the magnitude [of these testimonies] systemic and root causes of violence against our women, needs a different way of doing an inquiry. We've learned girls and two-spirt relations. Let us continue to move a lot, even from one inquiry to the next. During the three forward in a good way, guided by the memory and spirit days in Edmonton we interviewed 75 truth tellers in three of our lost loved ones. We are striving to make the truth days and in Winnipeg 105 people offered testimony in gathering that we are doing meaningful and safe for all five days.” participants. It will inform all Canadians of how to She went on to add that not every person “wants to tell improve the outcomes for Indigenous women and girls their story to the public” and that many prefer to tell their and LGBTQ people. Your stories are powerful, your stories in a private environment. stories are important. We remain committed to the families During the past couple of months there have been Continued on page 8

November, 2017

Alberta Native News

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Remembering When

By Xavier Kataquapit I received a note from my sister Janie Wesley this past week that included an historic document. It was a short message that asked me to look at the image of a typewritten telegram or letter that was transmitted on October 17, 1945. It detailed the admission list of children to be sent to the Albany Indian Residential School including my father Marius Kataquapit, one of his brothers and my mother Susan’s brother.

Janie pointed out that this note was messaged just a week before our father’s fifth birthday. The other children on the list would have been similar ages at the time.

In 1945, my father’s family would have been living a very traditional life on the land surrounded by their extended relations. They would have been fluent in the Cree language and would have had very little to do with any European ways of living or communicating. Their lives would have revolved around surviving on the land following traditional practices, activities and ways of living that were thousands of years old.

I have often wondered how my father’s father James Kataquapit would have marvelled at the European people that affected his life. His livelihood was governed by the fur trade and how best to deal and gather income from English and French traders who took his collection of animals furs that had been painstakingly and carefully gathered, prepared and transported over long distances with many weeks of hard labour. His meagre earnings would then be handed back to the same traders in return for a little food and resources to keep his family alive. The European colonizers dominated much of his life and even his spiritual life was filled with the Christian religion while traditional spirituality was suppressed.

As a young man in his 20s, he was asked to take part in a great war for a ‘Kitchi-Okimaw’, a great leader or a King. He was gone for just under two years to serve in the Canadian Forestry Corp in England during the First World War. He witnessed the development that the ‘Mishtikooshoo’, the white man had done in the south. He had boarded a steel hulled ship that took him over the great ocean and wondered to himself if he would ever return. He visited lands on the other side of the world and saw the signs of a great struggle of war, death and destruction.

He was at least somewhat content knowing that he was being paid for his efforts and was happy to return home to his family in the north when the war was over.

When he arrived in Canada and travelled north, he was simply dropped off at a wilderness rail stop near Hearst.

This is where he went on his own and followed a tributary of the Albany River north to James Bay and back to his home and family in Attawapiskat. When he arrived home, he learned that some of the young men he left with simply never returned.

His return left him in the same situation as when he had left. His earnings were managed by the same European traders and church leaders that held the means for him to feed his body and soul. During his absence, his

income from the war had evaporated with the excuse that it was used to provide for his parents and family. After having gone overseas for a war he didn’t understand and worked for two years away from home, he went back to living with nothing and surviving on the land with his own skill and abilities.

Later, as a middle aged man with children, he was being forced by the Government of Canada to give up his young sons under the guise of education. This was not simply a request but a demand as anyone who refused would have their children forcibly removed by authorities.

The family was told that the boys would be gone for the winter and return in the spring but both James and his wife Janie feared that their boys might never come home. This turned their world upside down and made them very sad and anxious. The boys did return but they were changed forever.

My father Marius had very little to say about his memories of his time in residential school. He confided that it was a painful time for him as he was thrust into a foreign world, filled with strangers who followed strange customs and spoke a foreign language. He felt that he was punished for who he was as an Aboriginal person and that the separation from his parents at such a young age scarred him for life.

I was deeply moved by the simple government residential school document that my sister Janie forwarded to me. She had received it from a family friend Roseanne Sutherland, who now works for Chiefs Of Ontario (COO) and is conducting her own research on the residential school era in the James Bay area. This document was a reminder of an atrocity that was done to our children.

The idea that the government thought it was a good thing to steal away all of the children from our communities was terrible. It

was an effort to assimilate our people and thankfully it did not work. Documents such as this bears witness to a crime that broke and bent our communities on a generational basis.

For more columns by Xavier Kataquapit visit underthenorthernsky.com

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Alberta Native News

November, 2017

Kohkom Kisewatisiwin Society coming together to share knowledge

by Rhonda Gladue Wisdom keepers. Teachers. Human rights and environmental activists. Kohkom knowledge has always been held in high-esteem because it is a spiritual gift that promotes the harmony and balance that we once had and hope to have again. Their teachings and stories about kinship, traditional values, languages, foods, spiritual ceremonies, legends, and child rearing practices go beyond the words themselves. They are what connects us to our ancestors and to each other. It is what we need on a communal, national and global scale to regain the balance and beauty of life we once had.

“Women hold the beauty ways, and therein lies our greatest hope.

Those who know this will protect and defend them.”

-Henry Laboucan The Kohkom Kisewatisiwin Society is a group of Indigenous grandmothers who reside in Edmonton and throughout Western Canada. They engage with the community by sharing life’s wisdom, drawing from a wealth of traditional knowledge and personal experiences.

Through storytelling they teach about the power and importance of healing, community, relationship building, and passing on cultural information.

The idea of this story-teaching publication began with collaborative work with Cree/Metis Elder Elsie Paul, founder of the Kohkom Kisewatisiwin Society. The name alone, “Kisewatisiwin,” (not easily translated into English) speaks to how one strives to apply the principles of gentle, loving kindness into all areas of life. Essentially, it is a way life. Elsie, and other members of the Kisewatisiwin society, have dedicated their knowledge, time, and encouragement, all in the spirit of “Kisewatisiwin” to create a calendar that can be integrated into every Canadian classroom, organization, and home. The

In February of 2017, the Kohkom Kisewatisiwin Society brought together Kohkoms and other women to participate in the co-creation of the 2018 Stories from the Kohkoms calendar. The stories that have been collected will go into a book, and school curriculum materials in the future.

beautiful simplicity of these teachings reminds us to “pray everyday, and make kindness, forgiveness, and compassion a way of life.” All people can benefit from these gentle reminders coming from “our” Kohkoms.

“Kisewatisiwin is a principle of living in a good way. It implies a personal commitment to humility, prayer, and loving kindness towards all things.”

The Kohkom Kisewatisiwin Society and Circle Teachings Publishing have collaborated to produce “Stories from the Kohkoms” story calendar (first in series) designed to provide a platform which both showcases Kohkom knowledge and conveys its authenticity. This presentation of their teachings is designed to bring to light

their value, at a time when the call for the retention of values, moral and connections is essential for coming generations. Teachings such as “Water is Life” remind us that water has a spirit that sustains us and when pollute the water, the loss is immeasurable. With growing climate change concerns, coming back to these teachings is vital to sustain our mother earth, which in turn, sustains us.

“We are all guardians of the earth and it our responsibility to relearn the knowledge we once held; the one that shows us how to be kind to the earth and be kind to one another.”

November, 2017

Alberta Native News

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Elders Gathering delivers important messages

By John Copley (ANNews) - This final segment of a three-piece article on the September 11-14, 2017 National Gathering of Elders (NGE) visits the final three topics (Revitalization of Language and Culture; Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; Indigenous Health) of the five that were discussed during the four-day event. Last month's article featured comments and observations made bykeynote speakers Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Chief Tony Alexis (Reconciliation) and AFN Manitoba Regional chief Kevin Hart (Climate Change).

The September and October issues of Alberta Native News introduced our readers to a number of well-known speakers and leaders from the three Indigenous communities, who along with Edmonton mayor Don Iveson, INAC Regional Director General Jim Sisson, and Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan offered welcoming remarks and insight into the roles each is playing to enhance Indigenous languages, lifestyles, culture and overall well-being.

The NGE was a first-ever national symposium that brought nearly 5,000 Elders from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada to Alberta’s capital to talk about and come up with strategies to deal with the numerous issues and concerns that Indigenous peoples face as we move together into the future.

Métis Elder Elmer Ghostkeeper began his keynote address on the Revitalization of Culture and Language by applauding the full room of participants who’d gathered to participate, listen, learn, offer their stories and share their experiences. He thanked his fellow panelists, Elmer Courchene (FN) and Goota Desmarais (Inuit) before discussing the importance of retaining languages and cultural values. He noted that several “University of Alberta students participated in the session, taking notes and summarizing the day’s activities,” though “as was customary during the time I taught at the university, I did make a few changes in each of the areas we discussed: stories, teachings, lessons, reflection and guidance.”

Elder Ghostkeeper spoke at length on culture, noting that in the early days no one knew what culture was or even what the word meant.

“It is an important word, not an Indigenous word but one that we have adopted,” he said. “I’ve spent 27 years at the university talking about and studying culture and today I am still a student of culture. Culture means to cultivate or to work with the land. Our belief is that we are the land, we are nature, we are the environment; we are not external to it. We breathe the air, we drink the water, we eat the food and we generate heat. At its most basic level of meaning, culture is your beliefs and they in turn become your values and from that you create your behaviours and your relationship (to the land).”

He spoke about the difficulties experienced by Indigenous people today to maintain and strengthen languages and cultures because of the predominately spoken English language and the many text books and other material that are only available in the English language.

He said, “It is our hope to one day see all of our Indigenous languages available but it is important not to forget that our language is in us; it is a part of us all and we have to learn to allow the speaker within us to speak the language - we need to allow words to come from the heart.

We need our language experts to come together to ensure the languages are spoken correctly.”

Elder Ghostkeeper noted that in recent months there has been an increase in funding for $5 to $15 million to help revitalize Indigenous languages.

“To this challenge, however,” he noted, “money is irrelevant. We should not depend on money to continue to speak our languages and practice our cultures. We have a fundamental, inherent human right to our language.”

He went on to speak about the Canadian Constitution and in particular Section 35, “which is stand-alone from Sections 91 (federal powers) and 92 (provincial powers) in that Section 35 (Aboriginal powers) cannot be overruled” by the other two. He spoke about his early years as a Métis

leader in Alberta and his conversations with former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed and former Prime Minister Pierre Tanya Kappo Trudeau and how through them he came to realize that “the Crown does not own your children - you do and as such, in my view, the Crown has no legitimacy in apprehending your children. The purpose and function of the Residential Schools was to take the language out of the child and replace it with English and by doing that they also took the culture. Language and culture are two sides of the same coin; when one is taken away, the other disappears.”

Elder Ghostkeeper spoke at length on the subject of Indigenous language and the significance of the spoken word, words that don’t always have a simple meaning but often encode important lessons about life, liberty, responsibility, reasoning and function. He spoke about the words of the ancestors, the stories they told and the songs they sang - stories and songs that parents and grandparents still tell today; stories and songs that deliver powerful messages that must continue to be told if Indigenous culture and tradition is to survive and thrive in the next millennia.

He noted that one day the three Indigenous communities would like to see their languages taught in the schools but, cautioned Elder Ghostkeeper, “we must be a part of that solution because they are our languages and our cultures; our stories and our songs and we must be the ones to tell them. We need to be involved when it comes time to include Indigenous languages in our schools. We need to be included whenever decisions are to be made about things that concern us and/or will have an impact on us and our cultures.”

The forum on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls included Gwen Point (FN), Muriel Stanley-Venne (Métis) and Charlotte Wolfery (Inuit); the keynote speaker on the forum was Tanya Kappo, a Treaty 8 First Nations employee who provides advisory assistance and support. A graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba, Kappo also completed International Law at the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is also a practicing lawyer who specializes in representing Indian Residential School survivors.

Participating in the forum, Kappo wanted to find the answers to key questions and noted that though her comments and findings are nowhere near comprehensive, she wanted to get a sense of what has to be done to bring peace-of-mind, understanding and healing to families and survivors who live with the “tragic reality” of missing and murdered family members.

“How can we better support our communities?” she asked.

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Marilyn Buffalo

Elmer Ghostkeeper

“What do you need from us other than resources and changes in laws? What can we do to help support you each and every day? How can we bring solutions and support for families and survivors? How can we support our Elders?

“I feel a lot of sadness from the Elders, many of whom feel almost helpless because everyone sees what's going on and everyone knows the problems that exist and they have the answers - but why is no one listening?”

The first question presented to the forum participants was “what comes to mind when you hear about missing and murdered Aboriginal women? The answers were varied and straight forward. Some people shared information (about their personal losses and experiences) and asked whether or not Inquiries really worked; others noted that Indigenous women are often victimized by outsiders (non-Indigenous people); another said Aboriginal women are at risk as soon as they are born and that no one is immune, not even honour students or athletes.

“There seems to be an idea or stigma out there that this tragedy only befalls our Aboriginal sisters who live a certain lifestyle - and that’s really not fair and definitely not true,” she said pointedly. “Equating death and disappearance to a particular lifestyle is degrading and stigmatizing and marginalizes this issue even further than it already is.”

Kappa noted ‘that it all comes back to the question about what needs to be done to create the awareness needed to eliminate this stigma.”

Continued on page 14

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Alberta Native News

November, 2017

Artist raises awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women (ANNews) - A powerful art exhibit entitled “Ripples of Loss” by contemporary artist Terry McCue is on display at the St. Albert Art Gallery until December 2, 2017. The haunting image on the cover of the November edition of Alberta Native News entitled “Eagle Fan” is part of this thought-provoking exhibition.

McCue, a self-taught Ojibwa painter inspired by an array of influences, has spent much of his life in First Nation communities. His connection to them is clear in his work. Having enjoyed great success as a painter over the last 20 plus years, he is known for large, distinctive, bold works that represent the interconnectedness of all living creatures.

The Ripples of Loss works are a vivid visual departure from McCue’s previous practice. After an exchange with an artist friend, McCue became compelled to paint these intense, brilliantly coloured images to raise awareness about the missing and murdered Aboriginal Women of Canada.

The resulting sombre and striking works emit the ghostly forms of the women dressed in red in an everchanging landscape. McCue reveals the women in traditional aboriginal ceremonial attire: Ojibwa Jingle Dance dresses, Plains Cree tunics and cloaks. The skeletons of their spirit animals accompany them— sometimes leading the way, facing the incoming storm.

In an artist's statement, McCue introduces himself saying, “I am an Ojibway artist originally from Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, but calling Alberta home for

Justice

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and survivors and loved ones and we invite you to share in a way that feels safest for you.”

Thanking those who came to listen and those who watched the proceedings during the online streaming of the gathering, Buller noted: “This isn’t just an Indigenous problem, this is a Canadian problem; this is a national tragedy. We have a vital role to play in making Canada a safe place to live for everyone. To all Canadians, I want to acknowledge your place, your support, your kindness and your open minds. As we move forward together we will all hear about how to make a better life.”

The three days of testimony and sharing of facts in Edmonton, heard from more than 70 people, many of them women who told stories of suffering, loss, lack of sleep, lack of motivation. Many told stories about the poor treatment they received from policing and other authorities when seeking answers about their lost loved ones. Other

42 years. At 30 years of age I participated in ceremony and was granted the right to make my living as an artist. For the next 18 years I dedicated my life to providing community development work in native communities across Canada. When that work was finished, I began my journey as an artist.

“Most of my work has been devoted to figurative and wildlife subjects, with wildlife becoming the primary focus. I believe that someone must be the voice of those who cannot speak. This belief springs from traditional Ojibway teachings which address the human responsibility regarding the natural world.

“This new work is a complete departure from what I normally do. I can't say why this work is so important to me, only that I am compelled to produce it.

“I have been lucky enough in my life to have had the opportunity to follow my dreams. The missing and murdered Aboriginal women, who are the subject of these paintings, were not allowed this opportunity. And not only that, but they have also been denied justice in their deaths.

I simply feel the need to stand up and speak for those who have no voice, because I can.

“These paintings are incredibly personal to me. It is my hope to add to the spotlight being shone on this tragedy with the creation of these paintings. I am trying to present a respectful depiction of what these deaths have visited upon our families and communities in the sense of loss of potential.

“The death of an individual is not just their loss. It also talked about missing persons reports that went missing and authorities who brushed off survivor families with unexpected callousness. The Commissioners encouraged them to continue on and to remain steadfast when it comes to seeking the answers they need in order to move on with their lives.

Complaints that the Commission is too slow, too quiet, too closed-mouth or not having the right people on board have made the headlines across Canada in recent weeks.

The nature of these accusations are usually delivered in a confrontational or boisterous nature, so media pays attention and is quick to report on the negativity. The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), however, has called for calm. The first group to advocate and fight for Indigenous rights, particularly the rights of Indigenous women, NWAC has never shied away from speaking out about injustices and government’s often turtle-like pace but this time they have taken a different stance and their arguments are not only well founded, it is important that they are heard.

“While there has been discussion about the need for the Commissioners and staff to apply a traumainformed lens on all aspects of the National Inquiry work - for example, by being honest and transparent with what MMIWG2S families can expect at every stage of participation,” noted NWAC President Francyne D. Joe, “NWAC is asking that we all remain mindful of the need to apply a trauma-informed lens when discussing the National Inquiry.

“This is not to say that we cannot be critical of the National Inquiry, there are issues that need to be resolved and many,

Terry McCue, Untitled, oil on canvas. 20×24″, 2016

affects the lives of their family members and the community they are from. For many of the murdered and missing women’s families, there is no end to the pain of wondering. I don't think these works can be ignored and that they will add light to the story.”

McCue considers this new project his most vital artistic endeavour, paying homage and reverence to the women and girls vanished to violence. He now works fervently to capture the many images fluctuating in his mind’s eye and commit them to canvas. For McCue this project further explores his spiritual calling to express the sacredness of all life.

Ripples of Loss will be on exhibit at the St. Albert Art Gallery located at 19 Perron St, St Albert, AB. For information visit artgalleryofstalbert.ca

NWAC included, are looking for reassurances that our concerns are being heard and plans are being put in place to ensure improvements are made. NWAC will continue to release Report Cards as well as work directly with the National Inquiry to provide guidance and support.

Applying a trauma-informed lens to discussions around the National Inquiry respects the reality that many families are counting on this important work.

“As I continue to travel the country and our sister organizations continue to provide on-the-ground support to families, we hear from families that are looking forward to participating, many considering sharing their story for the first time. These realities need to be considered every time the National Inquiry is criticized because these critiques do not stand in isolation but rather are connecting to the lives and experiences of the women, Two-Spirit people and families impacted by this violence.

“We want the public to hear from families and learn about the root causes of this violence. And, similar to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we want Canadians to be empathetic and want to be part of a movement for social change. Disparaging the National Inquiry is distracting from the real issue and takes space away from the experiences of families.

“At the same time, we know that there are families that are calling for a ‘reset’ and NWAC respects every family’s choice to participate in any way they wish, however, until we hear from the hundreds of families from all across the country, NWAC will remain committed to this process and continue to reiterate that we have a vested interest in the success of the National Inquiry.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission had a job to do, to find the truth and to seek ways that Canada and its Indigenous citizens could reconcile and move forward together into a future of promise and understanding. The National Inquiry delving into the cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls also seeks the truth, but reconciliation is not the answer here; the only answer that will provide closure is justice, justice for those who have suffered and a different kind of justice for the perpetrators of crimes against Indigenous women and girls.

Everyone has the right to live free of violence and abuse Bo x 7 738 P ea ce Ri ver, Alb er ta T8 S 1 T3 www.p rr ws.c om

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL WOMEN’S SHELTER E-mail: admin

@ prrws.com

Phone: 780-624-3466 To ll Fr ee : 1 -87 7-6 2 4- 34 6 6 Fax: 780-624-1469

November, 2017

Alberta Native News

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NorQuest College increases its commitment to Indigenous learners

By John Copley (ANNews) -This month NorQuest College was once again a hub of activity and the centre of attention when dozens of attending guests, speakers, sponsors, community partners and local well-wishers gathered at the Atrium in the college’s Singhmar Centre for Learning to celebrate the college’s latest achievements. Continuing to set the precedent when it comes to delivering quality education in a safe, friendly and caring environment, NorQuest added four more benchmarks when it opened the new Indigenous student centre, launched an Indigenization Strategy, introduced a new Legacy Room to support the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund and became the first post-secondary institution in Edmonton to sign the College and Institutes Canada (CICan) Indigenous Education Protocol.

Before the November 2nd event got underway, a separate celebration took place in the Indigenous Student Centre when Elders Tony Arcand and Delores Cardinal hosted a morning Pipe Ceremony. Emcee and NorQuest Community Mentor and Indigenous Relations worker Orest Zwozdesky then welcomed the crowd, acknowledged Treaty 6 Territory, spoke briefly about the significance of the day and introduced Elder Delores Cardinal before she offered the opening prayer.

The always delightful throat-singing trio, Asani, performed O Canada and NorQuest President and CEO, Jodi Abbott spoke to the crowd about the day’s activities.

She emphasized the importance of embracing Indigenous traditions and education and told the gathering that “today marks an important milestone in the history of NorQuest College. Two years ago we set out on a journey to make our college more inclusive for our Indigenous students and for the larger community we are invested in.”

That journey has been a successful one; the number of Indigenous achievers continues to grow. In October the college officially opened the 22,500 square metre Singhmar Centre for Learning, (the first expansion at the college in nearly five decades) and this month offered even more positive news.

“In the spirit of reconciliation and so the power of education can be shared amongst everyone without fear of judgement or cultural bias,” explained Abbott, “NorQuest College has respectfully and proudly signed the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Indigenous Protocol. “By signing this protocol we recognize and affirm our responsibility and obligation to Indigenous education. We recognize and respect that Indigenous Peoples include First Nation, Métis, and Inuit, and that they have distinct cultures, languages, histories, and contemporary perspectives. This is our commitment to making Indigenous education a priority at NorQuest College.”

The document highlights the importance of approaches required to address Indigenous Peoples’ learning needs and supports the educational and economic development of Indigenous communities.

To reinforce that commitment, noted Abbott, NorQuest also became the first institution of any kind in Western

Canada to offer space for the creation of a Legacy Room.

The Legacy Room, a dream come true for both its initiator, Gord Downie, and the family of 12 year old Chanie Wenjack, a young Indigenous boy who died in 1966 after fleeing a residential school in northern western Ontario, is dedicated to reconciliation and enables organizations housing the rooms to highlight their commitment to Canada’s reconciliation journey. It is a place where people can come together to talk about reconciliation and acts as a reminder that this important movement has been designed to provide Top: Asani thrilled the audience at NorQuest College when they sang the national Canadians an opportunity anthem in Cree. Bottom: The drums and chants of the Amiskwaciy Academy to gain a better Singers were also enjoyed by the crowd. understanding of the plight of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous Education Protocol. Indigenous youth are the the affect that the schools continue to have on Indigenous fastest growing demographic in Canada today. It is an Canadians and their communities. economic and social imperative that we provide Downie Wenjack Fund co-chair, Charlene Bearhead, Indigenous peoples with the educational opportunities and said the organization “is very excited that NorQuest work-integrated learning experiences to develop the skills College will house the first Downie Wenjack Legacy they will need to succeed and thrive as they transition Room in Alberta. Alberta had more Indian residential (from college) into employment. It is so important that we schools than any other province or territory. We hope that all work collaboratively to advance the journey of Truth with the opening of this Legacy Room, NorQuest College and Reconciliation and continue building on the Protocol is planting the seeds for what will become the province to better support and meet the needs of Indigenous with the most Downie Wenjack Legacy Rooms.” learners, engage with Indigenous communities and deepen The addition of the Legacy Room was yet another in a lengthy list of initiatives developed by the college during Continued on page 15 the last couple of years. Located along the west wall of the Heritage Tower, the Legacy Room sits in one of the college’s busiest locations and in full view of students, employees and the general public. The location was chosen to ensure that as many people as possible would have access to the room, a site that promotes reconciliation and allows every visitor to the college the opportunity to learn more about the former Indian Residential Schools and the legacy they have created.

Following her comments Abbott introduced CICan President Denise Amyot.

Amyot, who makes her home in Ottawa, greeted the gathering, pleased to see such a large number of people come out to witness the signing.

“I am honoured to be with you all today to celebrate NorQuest College’s commitment to Indigenous learners and communities and the official signing of the CICan

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Alberta Native News

November, 2017

Bold Eagle: One Bold Idea

By John Copley A Canadian Armed Forces’ initiative is transforming lives and opening the doors to a military career for many young men and women.

Each summer, Indigenous youth from across Western Canada and northwestern Ontario travel to CFB Wainwright to participate in the Bold Eagle summer employment program. Taught by professional soldiers, the program helps to develop physical fitness, self-discipline, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills. It includes a four-day cultural camp, administered by First Nations and Métis Elders, followed by a five-week basic military qualification course.

“Many Bold Eagle applicants have never been off the reserve, never been to major city,” says program recruitment coordinator and Indigenous veteran John McDonald. “And then we have applicants from the cities who’ve also never experienced this type of program or the military-style training it embraces. The cultural camp

eases the transition.”

There’s perhaps nothing a military veteran likes more than seeing the next generation take up the call and explore the possibilities of serving for their country. In addition to traditional combat roles, recruits can pursue careers in engineering, telecommunications, health care and advanced equipment technical support.

“When I joined the Aboriginal forces as a civilian, our job was to find ways to help make life a little easier for the serving Aboriginal servicemen,” says McDonald.

“Fortunately, we had a lot of wisdom because there were a lot of Elders in that group. One of the goals was to find opportunity for Aboriginal youth and to encourage Aboriginal youth to consider military careers. That’s how the Bold Eagle program came about.”

Since its inception in 1989, the Bold Eagle program has hosted over 1,300 youth. For more information, visit www.forces.gc.ca.

Award winning film comes to Edmonton December 5 (Edmonton) – On the heels of its award-winning festival circuit run and North American theatrical release, the critically acclaimed Canadian documentary “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” will be screened at Metro Cinema in Edmonton on December 5, 2017 as part of its Music Docs Series. The film will start at 7 pm with a live music performance at 6:30 pm by Jay Gilday.

The film, which won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Masterful Storytelling at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, was a double award winner at the 2017 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival taking top honours for Best Canadian Documentary as well as the Audience Award.

Many artists and musical forms played a role in the creation of rock, but one of the most influential music pieces of all time is “Rumble”, the 1958 rock power chord

by Shawnee rock guitarist and singer/songwriter Link Wray. Wray, who’s heavily featured in the film, was recently nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. The first song to use distortion and feedback, it was the only instrumental single to be banned from radio for fear it would incite violence.

“Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” explores how the Native American influence is an integral part of music history, despite attempts to ban, censor, and erase Indian culture in the United States and abroad. As the film reveals, the early pioneers of the blues had Native and African American roots, and one of the first and most influential jazz singers’ voices was trained on Native American songs. As the folk rock era took hold in the 60s and 70s, Native Americans like Father of the Delta Blues Charley Patton, jazz singer Mildred Bailey, guitar wizard Jimi Hendrix, folk heroine Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson, Jesse Ed Davis, The Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo, and Randy Castillo (Ozzy Osbourne), helped define its evolution and made their distinctive mark on music history.

“This whole film happened because I was playing sold out arenas and stadiums with Rod Stewart….and I started to wonder why there were no other Native Americans in

Are you an Aboriginal youth living in western Canada or north-western Ontario?

Are you interested in a challenging summer experience that delivers hands-on skills development, encourages teamwork, provides physical fitness and promotes cultural awareness?

Bold Eagle is the program for you! It is a unique summer employment program that combines Aboriginal culture and teachings with military training.

Apply before April 30th each year.

If you are interested in having the Bold Eagle Coordinator come to your community or organization to present the program, contact boldeagle@forces.gc.ca or call 780-842-1363 ext. 5158 or 780-261-0202.

John McDonald is president of the Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta and recruitment coordinator with the Canadian Forces Bold Eagle Program.

the biz,” explained Executive Producer Stevie Salas.

“Then I discovered there were indeed others who, for reasons unknown to me, people didn’t know about.”

The documentary utilizes concert footage, archival images, playful recreations, and interviews to tell the powerful story of how Indigenous music was part of the fabric of American popular music from the beginning, and how those contributions were left out of the picture. It also features interviews with musicians, artists, historians, and family members including Martin Scorsese, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Slash, Steven Tyler, Jackson Browne, Iggy Pop, Steven Van Zandt, and Buddy Guy. The film is directed by Catherine Bainbridge (Reel Injun) and co-directed by Alfonso Maiorana, who also serves as director of photography. Producers are Catherine Bainbridge, Christina Fon, Linda Ludwick, and Lisa M. Roth. Executive producers are Stevie Salas (Apache) and Tim Johnson (Mohawk). Executive producers at Rezolution Pictures are Catherine Bainbridge, Christina Fon, Diana Holtzberg, Linda Ludwick, Jan Rofekamp, and Ernest Webb (Cree).

Metro Cinema, located at Garneau Theatre (8712 109 Street) in Edmonton, is a community-based not-for-profit society devoted to creating and fostering opportunities for the exhibition of diverse, unique shared viewing experiences.

The screening of “Rumble: Indians Who Rocked the World” on December 5 is part of Music Docs - a monthly film series featuring music documentaries, from classic to contemporary. Music Docs is curated by Tim Rechner, and co-presented with CJSR, Blackbyrd Myoozik, and Steamwhistle.

The next day, also at Metro Cinema, Reconciliation in Focus presents “Reframing Land” a short film compilation on Land and Territory. It will screen on December 6, 2017 at 7 pm.

For more information visit metrocinema.org.

November, 2017

Alberta Native News

11

Indigenous artists are featured at the AGA

by John Copley If you haven’t yet visited the Art Gallery of Alberta’s (AGA) latest series of exhibitions there’s no time like the present to do so. The main and second floors of the gallery are filled with a unique blend of artistry. The first of the two newest exhibits, Calling Stones (Conversations), October 28, 2017 to February 19, 2018, was created by southern Alberta-born Kainai artist Faye HeavyShield.

The second exhibit, WordMark, October 28, 2017 to March 25, 2018, features a series of creations by Raymond Boisjoly, Bob Boyer, Dean Drever and Amy Malbeuf that engage the viewer via “the complexity of visual communication, through the interweaving of language, image and symbolism.”

HeavyShield, whose work mainly comprises sculpture and photography, is presenting a new body of work inspired by her visits to the Majorville Medicine Wheel (Iniskim Umaapi) in southern Alberta and the stories of her ancestors that are rooted there. An important centre of traditional ceremony and worship, Iniskim Umaapi has been continuously used for over 4,500 years, making it one of the oldest religious monuments in the world.

“Drawing from her responses to this site, its history and her own heritage, HeavyShield’s work provides both a personal and conceptual connection to the past, linking generations of Indigenous peoples to the present lives of the Kainai people,” explained AGA Executive Director and Chief Curator, Catherine Crowston. “Faye is a senior Alberta artist whose work is very connected to the landscape of southern Alberta. Her art work is based on the story of the woman who came back to earth on the web of a spider; a story that’s connected to the Medicine Wheel.”

“My art,” noted HeavyShield in her artist’s statement, “is a reflection of my environment and personal history as lived in the physical geography of southern Alberta with its prairie grass, river coulees, and wind and an upbringing in the Kainai community (with a childhood stint in the Catholic residential school system). The past, present and imagined make up the vocabulary used to realize my

Art by Raymond Boisjoly

thoughts and ideas; responses and references to the body, land, language.”

Her new work, notes the statement “is driven and inspired by her memories, her family and her community and are often composed of circles, spirals, grids and lines, recalling the bonds of families and the gathering of communities.”

Organized by the AGA, Bob Boyer, Dropping Atom Bombs, 1988. Mixed media on flannel blanket. Art WordMark is the first in a Gallery of Alberta Collection, acquisition in progress. series of four exhibitions that will feature works by contemporary First Nations, role as a curator.

“Our goal was and is to purchase art from both emerging Inuit and Metis artists, newly acquired for the AGA’s artists such as Amy Malbeuf and from established artists permanent collection. such as Boyer and Raymond Boisjoly, a Haida artist who “It is through the creation and public exhibition of makes his home on Canada’s west coast.” museum collections that histories of art are written and Amy Malbeuf is a Métis artist from Rich Lake, Alberta. remembered,” noted Crowston. “This important initiative, She graduated with a BFA from the Alberta College of Art funded by the Canada Council for the Arts “New Chapter” and Design in 2010 and received a Native Cultural Arts grant program, will ensure that works by significant Instructor Certificate from Portage College in Lac La contemporary artists are shared with the public and Biche in 2012.

She has also earned an MFA from the maintained as a lasting legacy for the future.”

University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus and Crowston approached the Canadian Council for the Arts continues to participate in residencies and exhibit her work for money to purchase Indigenous art from Alberta artists internationally.

By combining media such as caribou hair “and from other artists whose work is important, artists tufting, beadwork, installation, video and performance, like Bob Boyer, an important and influential Canadian Malbeuf addresses the intersections of language, place and artist.” ecology.

Unfortunately, Boyer a well-known Saskatchewan-born Malbeuf has received many accolades for her artistic Métis artist passed away in 2004. Born in 1948, he earned creations and just last year received the Lieutenant a Bachelor of Education degree (1971) at the University of Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award and the Saskatchewan and during his life served in many art and William and Meredith Saunderson Prize for Emerging education positions while pursuing his artistic practice.

Artists in Canada.

His positions included curator at the MacKenzie Art “This particular exhibition showcases some of the Gallery in Regina and Head of the Department of Indian beautiful work she creates via a technique known as Fine Arts at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in tufting, in this case caribou hair tufting,” created primarily Regina. Boyer’s art has been exhibited across Canada and in circular images with written messages that deliver food internationally, most recently through a major posthumous for thought to those who view them. retrospective of his work organized by the MacKenzie Art Dean Drever is a Haida/Canadian who was born in Gallery titled “Bob Boyer: His Life’s Work.”

Edmonton in 1970.

His unique 2011 creation, Black Boyer addressed colonial issues both through his work Metal, is an interesting and thought-provoking piece of art and his political actions. He advocated for increased that highlights the symbols of well-known rock band recognition of Indigenous artists through the Society of Canadian Artists of Native Ancestry (SCANA) and Continued on page 12 highlighted contemporary Indigenous artists through his

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Alberta Native News

November, 2017

Retired Senator was a Metis Role Model and lifetime activist

By Clint Buehler EDMONTON - Thelma Chalifoux, a high-profile member of Alberta’s Metis and Indigenous community and once a Canadian senator has died with friends and family at her bedside. She was 88 years old.

I had the pleasure and privilege of having Thelma as my friend, and as a colleague on many projects and initiatives over the years, beginning in 1971. So this is a eulogy as much as it is an obituary.

Thelma was born in Calgary in 1930 to Paul and Helen Villeneuve, who instilled in her their pride in their Metis heritage, and the importance in life of being of service to others.

After leaving an abusive marriage in the 1950s, she went back to school to study sociology at Lethbridge Community College and construction estimating at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, while working to support her seven children.

She became a newspaper journalist and broadcaster in Peace River, where she more firmly established her dedication to exposing and alleviating the plight of the less fortunate, especially Indigenous people. She was the first full-time Metis woman staff announcer and first Metis women to serve on the Senate of the University of Alberta.

Her activism assumed a new formality when she became one of the fledgling Company of Young Canadians’ (CYC) first fieldworkers, Canada’s version of

Artists

cont. from p 11

legends.

“Drever’s work will definitely inspire the imagination of the viewer,” noted Crowston, “because though he is interested in creating work that has a particular or specific message, he takes something away from the original and makes its identification a little more complicated.”

In this particular exhibit, as in some of his previous work, Drever references a series of popular and recognizable cultural icons that are void of original content (save the shape) and blacked-out to create onedimensional shapes that seemingly resemble Haida art forms.

“The positive and negative space created through Drever’s alterations,” notes the work’s bio, “resemble the graphical blocks of colour used in the visual traditions of Northwest Coast peoples. Hovering between recognizable logos and abstract forms, the black and white logos offer dual perspective on the corporatization of identity at the expense of Indigenous or personal expression.”

the Peace Corps in the U.S., and charged with promoting and assisting activism at the community level.

As Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau launched his vision of a Just Society, and put the funding in place to make it a reality, the early 1970s was a time of unprecedented encouragement and financial support for Native controlled (via societies with Native board control) initiatives. These initiatives were all responsive to the issues Thelma had been urging for years including friendship centres, Native courtworkers, addictions treatment, communications, housing. education and training, economic development, women’s issues and political representation organizations.

Thelma took an active interest in all of them, sometimes as board member or staff, and sometimes behind the scenes. Whatever her role, she did her part to ensure these new entities had the best vision and did the best job possible.

A major focus of Thelma’s attention was the organization representing the political activities of the Metis, the Metis Nation of Alberta and the Metis National Council - but not as an elected representative. As an appointed Metis Senator removed from the often intense battles over policy and priorities, Thelma and her Metis Senate colleagues were free to provide the benefit of their wisdom and experience without political influence.

She would take that same attitude and approach with her Black Metal highlights the logos and summons of rock bands that include: Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Nazareth, Motley Crue, Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Black Flag and others.

Born in 1981 Raymond Boisjoly is an Indigenous artist of Haida and Québécois descent who lives and works in Vancouver. For the past several years he has exhibited extensively across Canada and internationally in both solo and group exhibitions. In 2016 he was a recipient of the VIVA Award, presented by the Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation for the Visual Arts, Vancouver and is one of the five artists shortlisted for the 2017 Sobey Art Award.

His name is also on the list as a finalist (announcement Dec. 4, 2017) for the prestigious Aimia | AGO Photography Prize. The organization is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year.

Boisjoly is an Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studio in the Department of Visual Art and Material Practice at Emily Carr University of Art and Design and is artistically represented by Vancouver-based agent, Catriona Jeffries.

Treat yourself to an early Christmas present and visit the

Senator Thelma Chalifoux (1929 - 2017)

when she was appointed to the Canadian Senate by then Prime Minister Jean Chretien, the first Metis and the first Indigenous woman appointed to that post. In the Senate, while Indigenous issues were certainly a priority, she also served on numerous other committees.

Since mandatory retirement from the Senate in 2004 when she turned 75, Thelma focused her attention on the Michif Cultural Institute in St. Albert while dealing with lifetime health issues that had grown more severe as she aged.

Thelma Chalifoux made a positive contribution to the country, to the province and to the Metis community. She will be remembered well as a Metis Role Model and a lifetime activist.

Amy Malbeuf, kayâs-ago, 2013. Sculpted natural caribou hair on light panels. Art Gallery of Alberta Collection, purchased with funds from the Canada Council for the Arts New Chapter Grant Program.

Art Gallery of Alberta; these are two exhibitions you will not want to miss.

The Art Gallery of Alberta is located at #2 Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton. For more information visit youraga.ca.

Alberta Native News is the most widely read newspaper for Indigenous people in Alberta and throughout the western provinces and the north.

To advertise your business or community event call Dan at 780-421-7966 or email natnews@shaw.ca.

Visit us online at albertanativenews.com.

November, 2017

Alberta Native News

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Alberta Native News

Elders

cont. from p 7

Communication and conversation, she noted, needs to begin taking place throughout Canadian society and with those suffering as victims. It was also determined that more consideration about the impacts of residential schools needs to be addressed. Answers need to be found as to why Aboriginal women and girls run away from their homes, their communities.

“We also have to be aware of the traditional and institutional precedents that have been set by [government entities] such as the Child Welfare and Justice sectors, institutions that constantly work against us,” she said.

“Survivors of attempted murder need a voice, as do the families of survivors of missing and murdered women,” noted Kappo. “We need to talk to women and girls who have survived the violence and learn what saved them from that situation? What support do they have? What supports didn’t they have and what more should we be thinking about and looking at a little bit more?”

Another topic that arose during the forum was concern for the safety of women and men being released from jail.

“Women - and men - being released from prison need to be delivered to a safe place. When our people are being released after a period of incarceration they are often just dropped off on the street and at no particular time of day,” she said. “They often have no one to talk to, no one to greet them, no outside support and no resources; this is not a safe situation.”

Kappo addressed many issues during her keynote comments and noted that celebrating and recognizing Elders was another topic that arose during the forum.

“Many people feel that there should be an Elder sitting on the MMIW Inquiry, and that we should be talking openly about sexual abuse; it’s going to be hard work, dark and painful work and that goes back to the importance of ceremony and the work that it does” to help the healing process.

When the subject comes to “healing our communities,” noted Kappo, “the overwhelming response throughout the day was that ceremony and family & community belonging is a very important element. Forum participants strongly believed “that ceremony is one of the surest ways to help because it involves family and community,” the two strongest components to well-being.

The last of the five forums held during the NGE event was Indigenous Health, hosted by panel members Dr. Reg Crowshoe (FN), Lorraine Deschambeau (Métis) and

November, 2017

Susan Peffer (Inuit).

Keynote speaker Marilyn Buffalo, the Indigenous Cultural Advisor at the University of Alberta, offered the keynote address.

“It is important to note,” began Buffalo, “that with all of the conversation that’s been going on and all the political promises that have been made about Nation-to-Nation discussions, the one thing that has to be on that agenda is a discussion about treaty rights when it comes to health. We National Gathering of Elders Committee Member Marilyn Buffalo marches proudly believe that our treaty in the closing ceremony in Edmonton on September 14, 2017. rights to health have not Photo by Terry Lusty been frozen in time and that these rights must be interpreted into meaningful them adequate health (coverage) and well-being of language, present day language so that everyone themselves and their families and that includes food, understands. First Nation Elders are still proactive when it housing, clothing, medical care and the necessary access comes to health; they continue their healing practices and to social services and the right to security in the event of it is time the government of this country understand that unemployment, sickness, disability, old age, widowhood, they have an obligation (to honour treaty rights). We must and other lack of livelihood because of circumstances remind the Canadian government and the federal, beyond control. Canada also talks about having endorsed provincial and territorial leaders that our rights to health the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. are entrenched in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. This declaration was made a decade ago but not one Those discussions took place in 1982 - coincidentally the section of those declarations has yet been implemented by same year that the last National Elders conference took the Government of Canada.”

Buffalo continued by urging the Elders and others in place in Ottawa. to “go to the internet, or have your children attendance “Elders, we have been quiet for too long and in this download a hard copy of the Declaration for your process, we have lost and we now have a lot of work to do. reference and use."

A powerpoint presentation followed in Never be afraid to speak out. I remember a lesson from my she discussed the challenges and the thoughts of which father; he was a Korean War veteran and he told me: ‘they forum participants. might think they are big shots but they are no different than “First,” she noted, “Indigenous people are not treated in you or I because just like us, they put their pants on one leg the same way as the mainstream population; health care at a time. services are based on funding and policies versus actual “We must also make certain that they know when we need.

Indigenous people are faced with poor health care approach them for shelter and funding for housing, which staffing and training opportunities. Because of the affects our health and well-being - all of you Elders are assimilation process instilled through the residential entitled to that and it is covered in Article 25 of the school system we have lost much and we have Universal Declaration on Human Rights at the United experienced very hard times as a result of drugs, alcohol Nations.

“Everyone has the right to a standard of living that gives Continued on page 15

For information contact wakinagallery@gmail.com or call (780) 237-1556.

November, 2017

Alberta Native News

NorQuest College increases

cont. from p 14

and poverty. And finally, if you live on a reserve or a Métis settlement you are often denied appropriate care dues to budgetary constraints. The legal battle of who pays for what is ongoing and degrading; we call it the ping-pong effect.”

Buffalo spoke about Indigenous medicines and western medicines, noting that “my Elder taught me in Cree that my pharmacy and healing is in the forest and on the land.

Anything I want to eat, medicines, fruits, meat - they are on the land and it my job to go and find them. There needs to be the inclusion of the Indigenous Cycle of Life and the traditional methods, including healing ceremonies. There are two systems: one is western where the information flow is written data, messages, policies and reports. The other is Indigenous and we have to begin working together with our young people to help support that bridging of the gaps and by integrating our own oral culture and ceremony into these western organizations. The medical community, the university professors, the school teachers all need to become more knowledgeable when it comes to Indigenous issues and jurisdictional problems. These western organizations would be better off by ensuring that (qualified) Aboriginal people are on their boards, in their schools and on their health care systems.”

15

cont. from p 9

the collective understanding of Indigenous history and culture among students, staff and faculty members. This will help us advance the journey of Truth and Reconciliation our country needs to move forward on.”

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson noted that during the past decade he has come to realize the important work being achieved by NorQuest College.

“I am so grateful,” he said, “to have had the opportunity to learn about the extraordinary work, the transformational undertaking that this college stands for every day for more than 10,000 learners in our city.”

Student’s Association member Gordon Holub also addressed the gathering and talked about the important role the college plays when it comes to educating Indigenous students. He also commented on the creation of the new Legacy Room, noting that it would help in the process of healing intergenerational trauma and providing space that will enable every citizen to learn more about residential schools and what happened within their walls. He said that many students in the college “had no idea about what happened in the schools or how the trauma has continued” to have a negative impact on generations of Indigenous families.

Also on the agenda was the college’s newly adopted Indigenization Strategy.

“More than words on paper, it will help guide our day-to-day work,” explained Abbott.

“It is a living document that provides us with a holistic approach to reconciliation and decolonization. The success of our college depends on all of us feeling respected, engaged, and part of a greater good. We have been deeply inspired by the concept of wahkôhtowin, which means everything is related. When we reflect on this noble concept, we realized that wahkôhtowin shouldn’t be only about our commitment to Indigenous learners, but about our entire philosophy at NorQuest. Our goal is to work as a fully integrated organization.”

NorQuest College is the Edmonton region’s only community college serving 15,850 students annually throughout the province in full-time, part-time, distance learning, and regional programs. It is located in downtown Edmonton. For more information visit norquest.ca.

Elders

Top: The unveiling of the NorQuest Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Legacy Room. Bottom: (l-r) Charlene Bearhead, Denise Amyot, Jodi Abbott, Elder Delores Cardinal.

Buffalo closed by noting that though times are difficult and progress is slow, perseverance is essential, as is the continued determination and willingness to speak out and to make sure that no government or health system, forces their policies on Indigenous peoples whose inherent and treaty rights supersede that of a departmental determination developed to separate Indigenous Canadians from those rights.

“We have a young population,” noted Buffalo, “and if we want to keep our families healthy it is up to us to learn the traditional methods of midwifery and maternal health care. We need to be very aggressive in asserting our rights and demand to have clean running water in every Indigenous community north, south, east and west. We need to have community-based support for our young families and as our Elders say: no more

Are you a charismatic, outgoing, and energetic person?

If you are a people person with a flair for exceptional customer service, you are the kind of person that we looking for. Here at River Cree Resort and Casino, we value our associates. We prepare them to excel, and we recognize a job well done. The River Cree Resort & Casino is committed to helping you reach your personal growth and career goals, while paying you a competitive wage. While we offer careers with a wide range of responsibilities, every role in our organization is valued and recognized as a contributor to our success. We’re always interested in dedicated, friendly people who not only want to make a difference in their work lives, but in their personal lives as well.

What can you achieve at River Cree Resort and Casino?

- You can work in a world class entertainment facility - You can work with motivated individuals who have great customer skills - You can gain the skills and knowledge that you need to advance in your career - You can help contribute to an exceptional guest experience If you are interested in a people-oriented profession and have strong interpersonal skills, consider a career in customer service. Utilize those skills to find fulfilling employment in the Gaming industry, Food & Beverage and or Administrative departments.

How can you find out about current job opportunities at River Cree Resort and Casino?

You can view job openings and submit your resume on line at www.rivercreejobs.com. Follow us on Facebook at River Cree Resort & Casino Job Board. Come to our office In person and visit our Recruitment Specialist.

blaming, no more pointing fingers. We have to step up and do what is right by taking care of our relatives, our families and our communities. As Elders we have to take our powers back because we are the teachers; we are the knowledge keepers. Do what you can to share your heart and no more bickering between ourselves - in other words remember that First Nation, Métis, Inuit - we are all the same people.”

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Alberta Native News

November, 2017