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MAG.com VOL. 2 NO. 9 WINTER 2014
An Indigenous Lifestyles Magazine for Everyone!
MICHAEL LINKLATER EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS YOUTH WITH AN INSPIRING MESSAGE
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Catching up with Michael Linklater and Looking Back at 2014 Welcome to our last issue of the year, which looks back at some of the biggest Indigenous Accomplishments and News of 2014. This year, it was Indigenous women that dominated the headlines. The good news was seeing more Aboriginal Nurses graduate into the workforce like the ones we covered in our story “5 Aboriginal Nurses” (Page 16) and seeing our woman taking more leadership roles when it came to activism (Eriel Deranger, Erica Violet Lee); education (Shauneen Pete); and business (Leanne M. Bellegarde), all great stories which we cover this issue. Although, the bad news was watching the growing numbers of 1200+ Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada increase with new cases almost every week or so. And what was worse, was seeing our Conservative Government do nothing about it, mostly saying they were all isolated incidents. So moving into 2015, it has become clear that it is now up to Indigenous people to protect our sisters, daughters, nieces, mothers and grandmothers since no one else will. There’s really no way you can positively segue into our cover feature, so instead I’ll share a quick story. Back in 1999, when I published GenX magazine, I did a cover
story on Michael Linklater (pictured in this column) who was 16 or 17 at the time. Back then he was just starting his basketball career and I remember that day clearly. What most people don’t know was his best friend, Kevin Moccasin, who passed away in 2003, was supposed to share that cover with him, but he didn’t make it to school that day. For this issue’s cover story on Linklater, we revisit that time but also update you on his life today and what has changed in the last 15 years. As for the back story of this issue, we weren’t actually planning on featuring Linklater. That was actually for next issue, since we just did a photo shoot of him last month. But stuff happened and things got switched around behind the scenes and Linklater ended up being this issue’s cover story, like as if it was meant to be. So when I talked to Michael to catch up and do some fact checking, I asked him if he still had that old issue of GenX, and sure enough he had it locked up in a frame at home. He also had another copy and sent me a pic, which gave me the inspiration and the strength to finish this issue. It reminded me why I still do this in the first place. Sometimes you just have to go back in time to stay motivated and keep on going everyday. So with that, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers; let’s end this year right with our best issue yet - 2015 here we come!
Sincerely,
AN INDIGENOUS LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE FOR EVERYONE VOL. 2 NO. 9 - WINTER 2014 PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Chris Tyrone Ross
ADVERTISING SALES Harvey Knight
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Quentin Karmark Chris Tyrone Ross
COPY EDITOR Lani Elliot
REZX WRITERS
Bill Stevenson, Chris Tyrone Ross Jay Bird, Katryna Smith, Lacy Morin-Desjarlais, Lani Elliot, Shane Bellegarde, Shauneen Pete, Tala Tootoosis
REZX PHOTOGRAPHERS Bill Stevenson Curtis Cameron Ryan Peterman
REZX EDITORIAL BOARD
Bill Stevenson, Chris Tyrone Ross, Jay Bird, Lani Elliot, Shane Bellegarde, Shauneen Pete
CONTACT INFO:
Business: 306.999.3055 Please E-mail for our mailing address E-mail: rezxeditor@gmail.com Website: www.rezxmag.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/RezXMag Facebook: www.facebook.com/rezxmagazine
REZX MAGAZINE
Chris Tyrone Ross, Editor-In-Chief
INSIDE ISSUE NO. 9: DECEMBER 2014
RezX Magazine is a division of RezX Multi-Media Company (founded in 2004) and is published 6 times per year (bi-monthly). RezX is distributed province wide in 3 major cities of Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and to all 75 First Nations and 11 Tribal Councils including 11 First Nations Community Schools of Treaty 4 Education Alliance (FHQTC).
Digital Edition: 5000+ views
Page 21: Indigenous Fashion
Print Circulation: 7000 copies DISCLAIMER
Any content, images, graphics are hereby copyright to RezX Multi-Media Company, (unless otherwise noted) and cannot be reproduced, reprinted, republished or altered in anyway without the expressed written permission of the Publisher.
Page 17: Executive Profile, Leanne Bellegarde
Page 20: 2014 Year In Review
ABOUT THE COVER:
COVER: Michael Linklater PHOTOGRAPHER: Curtis Cameron GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Chris Tyrone Ross
Page 12: Cover Story: Michael Linklater
HOROSCOPES
Find online exclusives @www.rezxmag.com WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? Popular RezX Blogger, Novalee Fox continues her blog on her life as a University student and the many challenges that come with it.
MONTHLY INDIAN HOROSCOPES For months that we do not publish, Bill Stevenson continues his monthly horoscopes here under the “Horoscopes” section, so make sure to visit us to find what’s in store for you every month
REZX RADIO - THE SILENT X PODCASTS Beginning in 2015, our RezX radio section will feature a variety of podcasts, interviews and music. But to kick things off early, we will post a new podcast from RezX blogger and writer, Cowboy Smithx called “The Silent X”. Now it’s important to note that The Silent X is not, in anyway part of RezX, as it is Cowboy’s own exciting new venture in on-line radio. We are just proud to have his permission to post all his podcasts that feature exclusive interviews with Indigenous filmmakers, actors and more - check em out yourself, some are already posted!
NEW BLOG - TALA TOOTOOSIS Also new to RezX, is blogger and writer, Tala Tootosis of Saskatoon, SK. What we love about Tala, is she is extremely honest and straight forward but above all, passionate about what she writes about as you will see in her new blog coming in 2015.
READ EVERY SINGLE STORY, INTERVIEW, FEATURE IN REZX EVER! Beginning with this issue, we will begin to publish every story from the magazine on the website so that you can share it with your social media networks. Check out the site now, as every day, we will post a story from this issue, then in 2015, we will begin doing that with every other story we have done.
SUBSCRIBE TO REZX ON-LINE Interested in subscribing to RezX for your home, office or school, you can now fill out a subscription form on-line at; http://www.rezxmag.com/ subscribe/
Indian Horoscopes:
The “Here Comes Neechie Santa Claus ” Edition By Bill Stevenson JANUARY Kisê-pîsim The Great Moon – Deer
The kids are singing about Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer but you’re just trying to get one of your vehicles road worthy. You have Flatty (always has a flat tire), Gassy (Hard on gas), Glassy (always has a broken window), Coldy (heater doesn’t work). Neechie Santa thinks you should put more 70/30 mix in Coldy, that’ll help the heater do its job.
FEBRUARY Mikisiwi-pîsim The Eagle Moon – Eagle
This Christmas season try not to be afraid of your desires! You know you want what you want but you always have trouble believing you are worthy of having what you want. But this Christmas put your insecurities aside and allow yourself to enjoy your heart’s desires. Your family already knows this and they would love to see you live your life to the fullness you deserve as well.
JULY Paskowi-Pîsim The Moulting Moon – Coyote
Asking Saint Nick for a partner isn’t going to work unless you want one named BOB, best to start looking at your qualities and what you bring to a relationship and ask how you can add to your partner skills. Giving hickies doesn’t count but cooking up a mad turkey dinner or baking the cookies will get you noticed! This late in the winter season you’re almost down to the last of the grab n’ snags!
AUGUST Ohpahowi-pîsim The Flying Up Moon – Mouse
Christmas has always been for the kids and for the family coming together; save the adult stuff for New Year’s Eve. Bring gifts for unexpected guests, eat a little more food, throw a snowball or two at the ones you love and laugh when they hit you back with one. It’s these moments that make you human, and make you love.
MARCH Niski-pîsim The Goose Moon – Cougar
SEPTEMBER Nôcihitowi-pîsim The Mating Moon – Salmon
APRIL Ayikî-pîsim The Frog Moon – Beaver
OCTOBER Pinaskâwi-pîsim The Migrating Moon – Turtle
Your December round dance is going to have 12 drummers drumming, 11 elders smoking, ten men dancing, nine gals giggling, and eight maids drinking tea. So you better prepare your hall with 7 turkeys roasted, six hams a-sliced, five crates of egg nog, four long distance calling cards, three gallons of tea, two extra canteens and a partridge in a pear tree…
Your parents tell you that you were born away in a manger and didn’t have a crib until you were 3 and by then you didn’t need one anyway, so your little sister used it instead. But don’t ever underestimate the love of your parents, for while the stars in the bright sky looked down on where they laid that cool summer night, they loved and wanted you. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise!
MAY Sâkipakâwi-pîsim The Budding Moon – Bear
Luck. You know better than to believe in such a trivial thing but you also know that hard work brings its own luck at the right time. This Christmas you are going to see how your hard work brings you all the luck you need and you will be amazed at how lucky you feel.
JUNE Pâskâwihowi-pîsim The Hatching Moon – Thunderbird
Tax breaks are not the only thing charities are good for. Spend some time volunteering at the local soup kitchen, pick up a hammer and help build a home, or sort some clothes for donation. Charities are great places to find your own center, to return to the community and help and to remind yourself of your own good fortune in life. None of us are really rich, we are just teachers of our children’s values.
Decking the halls with boughs of holly isn’t making you feel too jolly this year; the end of year struggles are real and you’re feeling it more this year than others. Don’t be afraid to cut back on the gifts and don’t be afraid to spend more time with family. The old year is passing away and regardless of the wind and weather, this new year is ripe with opportunities for your family.
NOVEMBER Iyikopiwi-pîsim The Frost Moon – Wolf
You know every Wolf has their day and as leader of the pack you know when to celebrate the accomplishments of your colleagues! End of the year is a chance for everyone to have their moment at the podium as you applaud their success and congratulate them on a job well done. Your words mean so much to so many, do not hold them back.
DECEMBER Pawâcakinasîsi-pîsim The Frost Exploding Trees Moon – Spider
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Always dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones you’ve always had here, and this year is like every other with no place like home. Family and friends are making the Christmas season a very special time for you and your partner. Take the time to love your partner, put agendas aside, kiss for no reason, and hug every chance you get. Soft touches become the foundation of memories in relationships.
For more Indian Horoscopes every month, check out: http://www.rezxmag.com/category/horoscopes
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If there was a Snow Dance you would be all over that one, already polishing up your snowboard, firing up your snowmobile and staking out your claim to the old ice fishing hole on the lake. You love winter and sneer at anyone who dares complain about the crisp refreshing air. Winter to you is another season to subdue, to overcome and to declare supremacy over. And you have not been beaten yet!
NDN NEWS / OPINION
Indigenous News & Opinion
By Jay Bird
The views expressed here are those of columnist Jay Bird and do not represent RezX as a company or magazine.
BC Chief Fights Big Oil http://is.gd/x0HDSU “Phillip is now one of more than 100 people who have been arrested since the protests began.” The Kinder Morgan Trans-Mountain pipeline 987 km expansion runs from Edmonton to Burnaby, through 15 First Nation territories, has been opposed since its inception in April 2014. Grand Chief Phillips of the Photo Credit: Darryl Dyck Canadian Press Union of BC chiefs decided to act like a leader when he got arrested for opposing Kinder Morgan’s drilling. Doing nothing has been the norm on issues like this but maybe that standard was finally confronted today when a chief made his presence felt.
Question Your Democracy http://is.gd/4bPZvO
“When you negotiate with the colonizer, the colonizer will only recognize you if it suits its longterm economic and territorial interests.” Glen Coulthard has a new book out ‘Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition’, in which he examines Indigenous politics in Canada. What’s happening in Canada is Indigenous people are partaking in a system they did not create nor did they vote for; they are not partaking in a democracy but in a game of ownership. Sure Indigenous people own the land, but who owns them? Who creates their legislation? Who enforces the Indian Act? Who determines the finances of their community? Questions to look deeper into, a book worth the read for political enthusiasts.
The Accountability Magic Trick http://is.gd/x2s6wJ
“Presenting accountability legislation as the solution implies that First Nations are the cause of their own poverty…” Bill C27 is the Financial Transparency Act and it was created by Indian Affairs to force bands to post their earnings online; the deadline to post is Dec 12, 2014 or face funding cutbacks. The Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation promoted a ‘stereotype’ of how Indigenous leaders carelessly spend their money and the bill gained public acclaim. Meanwhile, poverty is caused by chronic Federal under-funding of Indigenous communities and salaries are a small portion of that. Good magic is not being able to see the sleight of hand happening in front of you.
Ockham’s Razor for the Indigenous http://is.gd/2sGqt6
“The only entity we are aware of that…takes money off the top of the so-called ‘pie’ is the federal government themselves.” Saskatchewan MP Rob Clarke made the claim, on APTN Nation-to-Nation, that Indigenous organizations are taking 7 to 10 percent from the finances dedicated to on-reserve child and family services. It’s that twisted Conservative version of Ockham’s razor where ‘the easiest answer is to place the blame back on the group suffering from its shortfalls’. The Gov’t refuses to take the responsibility for administrative and funding problems they created and instead blame Indigenous leaders for the money not being there.
Church Resurrects Residential Era Belief http://is.gd/rAqyHC
“Their arrangement…would have gone off without a hitch were it not for a traditional smudging ceremony taking place as part of the event’s program.” Immanuel Pentecostal church in Winnipeg cancelled an event at their building which had smudging as part of its agenda, citing it breached their religious autonomy. Another Pentecostal church defended the actions saying ‘(we) should not compel each other to go against our consciences in order to accommodate another belief’. It begs the question, do Christian churches view Indigenous cultural beliefs as their equal? It feels ‘residential school-esque’, harkening back to a time when Indigenous people had their beliefs outlawed in churches, schools, and society.
SASKATCHEWAN NEWS BRIEFS Map in Tamra Keepness Search Turns up Nothing
10 years ago, July 2004, five year old Tamra Keepness went missing from her home in Regina’s Core Neighborhood. This sparked the largest police search in Regina history. She was not found and the case became cold. On November 3, 2014 a new tip came in about the potential whereabouts of missing child, Tamra Keepness. A post on reddit by ‘MySecretIsOut’ displayed a map of the Muscowpetung Reserve claiming to ‘search the wells’ as the possible location of Tamra. Regina Police, RCMP, and 3 family members investigated 21 wells for a period of 5 days with the use of a specialized camera to search the bottom of each well. After a thorough investigation it was determined the map was inauthentic and based on word of mouth evidence supposedly leading back to a prison in Alberta. The Regina Police force have asked the public to report all tips to them, and not to social media outlets, so as to avoid putting undue pressure on the family until each tip can be verified. The Regina Police are highly committed to solving this crime and there is a $50,000 reward for evidence that leads to the solution of this case.
Residential School Indian Cemetery “If the Indian is to remain, we expect him to be a decent neighbour; and to be a decent neighbour, we expect him to accept our religion, our education, our laws, and our customs. We allow him no choice and we allow him no time.” (Attributed to E.F. Wilson. Principal of Shingwauk Residential School. May 1891. The Canadian Indian. Vol.1, no.8.) The Regina Residential School which ran from 1890 to 1910 was a forgotten piece of Regina history. The school was operated by the Presbyterian Church of
Canada and contained a graveyard on the site that went unchecked and grew over as time passed. The Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (MHAC) found 22 graves in 2012, potentially 40 on site, at 701 Pinkie Road and petitioned the City of Regina to protect the Residential School cemetery. The graveyard is located in a section of the Global Transportation Hub deemed the ‘West Industrial Lands Secondary Plan’. This plan seeks to widen Pinkie Road for the influx of future traffic. However, the group that owns the land has stated they want to honor the cemetery.
The issues at hand for the Heritage Committee and the Cemetery Commemoration Working Group are 3 things: leave the cemetery as is, develop a maintenance standard, or designate it as a municipal heritage site. Thus far, no decision has been reached as to what will happen with the cemetery but the hopes are this land will not be developed. Throughout 2013-2014 a group called ‘Regina Indian Industrial School Multimedia Project’ has been raising awareness about the school. With the aid of BirdSong Productions the group has created a project that represents photography, audio, written text and other digitized media about residential schools.
RezX Poll on Indigenous People’s Comfort Level with Caucasians in response to CBC Poll CBC ran a poll on November 12th, 2014 that asked questions about how comfortable Canadian citizens were with their Aboriginal counterparts. These questions delved into areas of romance, employment, housing, and voting. The results of the polls showed the Prairies to have the least tolerance and/or acceptance of Aboriginal peoples. RezX editor Chris Ross decided he needed to ask Aboriginal people in the Prairies the same questions to one, see if this divide was coming from both sides, and two, to provide parity in the questioning.
NEWS
RezX ran 4 questions that examined romantic involvement, marriage, being neighborly, and employment. RezX switched ‘Caucasian’ for ‘Aboriginal’ for each CBC question so respondents would have the exact same poll questions. 93% of the respondents (100 people responded) were Aboriginal and the results for each category showed a 74% or higher affirmation in each category, comfortable to very comfortable, from Aboriginal people towards their Caucasian counterparts. Those numbers were pretty even with the Canadian average overall. However, on the Prairies the ranges of approval of Aboriginal people in each category were from 50%-67%; decidedly lower.
Chief Perry Bellegarde running for AFN Shawn Atleo stepped down as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in May 2014. This left a vacuum in the power structure of the AFN which is set-up to represent Indigenous nations at a Federal level. On November 5, 2014 the 3 candidates for Office of the National Chief of AFN were announced. The candidates are Perry Bellegarde chief of the FSIN, Leon Jourdaine current chief of Lac La Croix FN, Ont., and Ghislain Picard Regional Chief of First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Bellegarde, from Little Black Bear, has as his platform 4 issues: One, Establish a process for self-determination that includes revenue sharing, environmental sustainability, and a duty to consult that accommodates international standards such as free, prior and informed consent. Two, establish a new fiscal relationship with the federal Crown. Three, an inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Four, revitalization and retention of indigenous languages. The elections are slated to occur in Winnipeg on December 10, 2014. All Stories Compiled by Jason Bird
QUESTION AUTHORITY Find out how at www.uregina.ca/arts/journalism
EDUCATION
LEARNING ON THE PATH TO RECONCILIATION
Dr. Shauneen Pete
first responses to hearing about the social injustices enforced by government. To correct the absences First Nations and Métis peoples have developed their own institutions: Gabriel Dumont Institute, the Saskatchewan Institute of Technologies and First Nations University of Canada. We established the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College to be one source of language and cultural revitalization. Indigenous peoples working with the universities have developed Indigenous Studies programs and Aboriginal Teacher Education Programs with the aim of Photo by Bill Stevenson transforming education for all. First Nations scholars, elders and community based educators are transforming curriculum in (A small story) My dad told me the story of a time the K-12 and higher education systems. For over when there was a gathering of ten thousand teepees thirty years in this province, First Nations and Métis at the banks of Missouri River. Can you imagine? peoples have offered the gifts of learning. Yet, over Many different groups of Indigenous peoples were and over again our gifts have been rejected. represented in that place. My dad described how these peoples respected that each group did things Too often we hear mainstream people criticize in their own way; he explained that speakers would Indigenous education programs as offering negotiate the ways that things would be done and something “watered down” when these programs they would confirm their willingness to cooperate offer Indigenous pedagogies and worldviews. Too through ceremony. Once these protocols were often we hear students say that they will take Native exercised then the negotiations would begin: new Studies courses in high school because they perceive alliances were created and trade was undertaken. them to be easier. Some individuals resent taking At the end of the gathering there was a review and courses with Indigenous content in the same way as affirmation of the agreements and then gifts would some employees resent be offered before the peoples parted. taking mandatory crosscultural training in their First Nations peoples have a long history of gift work place. Rejection of offering. During the treaty making process gifts the gift plays out in the were offered to the government officials. This offer criticism, resentment, of the gift was almost immediately followed by and downplaying the the government implementation of the Indian Act. important knowledge that Our offer of shared use of the land was met with Indigenous peoples offer. assimilative strategies which included residential schools, forced urbanization, the child welfare And yet, we continue to system and enfranchisement. offer experiences that would help mainstream These policies of assimilation were then erased folks to learn. For from the public memory by a system that only example, we offer free told the dominant narrative that Canada is good, language courses in a fair, peaceful and just. As a result of the erasure local library and craft of the public memory for many Canadians, denial, classes in the community dismissal, minimization and deflection are the centre; storytelling
festivals province wide through the public libraries and schools; powwows, round dances, feasts; public lectures, workshops, art installations and more. All folks have to do is – show up. Indigenous peoples have shown their generosity again and again – only to have those invitations rejected by the vast majority of members of the dominant group. Peace and reconciliation cannot be achieved when denial, dismissal, minimization, deflection, criticism and resentment are the first responses to the offer of the gift. Members of the dominant group must learn to embrace the humility of not knowing. Dominant group members - through their admission of not knowing and with an earnest desire to learn - must step forward to learn from First Nations and Métis peoples. They must practice acceptance of the gift. They must overcome their fear of rejection to ask one question – will you teach me please? And they must be prepared to face the possibilities of rejection because we have learned not to trust dominant group members. Only from this position of humility can meaningful, trusting and reciprocal peace be achieved. Only through the practice of asking to learn may we finally make progress on the road to reconciliation. (Adapted from a speech given at the Building Nonviolent Communities breakfast, Oct. 2014).
shelly.mike@cloud.com
BUSINESS
SECTION NAME - RIGHT
Q. Where do you see your business in five years?
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PROFILES: NATHAN KAYE Nathan Kaye - right
Nathan Kaye of the Sakimay First Nation is a young man with a great business idea, and now an entrepreneur with the educational background, savvy, drive, and now the means to turn his idea into a successful business venture. As the third place winner of the STC Youth Business Plan Award, and the first place winner of the U of S Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge (AYIC), both sponsored by Potash Corporation, it looks like Nathan is well on his way to success with SETTours.ca, which offers sports and entertainment travel packages for the sports aficionado. RezX Magazine asked him a few questions regarding the secret of his success. Q. What does this win mean for your company? A. Winning (in total) $8,500 helped alleviate the financial obstacle of the start-up process. I used the prize money to make a down payment on the website and branding aspect of the business which is the main focal point of the business. Q. What inspired you to start a business like this? A. First of all I’ve always been interested in sports and I’ve always wanted to travel the world to explore different cultures, customs, food, and landscapes. And I wanted to start my own business, so I applied and got accepted into a post-secondary program for business. I came up with the idea (for my business) while in an Entrepreneurship class, did the research and tedious task of looking through the professional league schedules, presented it to the class where the instructor encouragingly asked if the idea was going to be brought to life. I told her I would like to, and it actually took a number of years to take the initiative to work towards getting it started.
A. I would like my business to be an established and recognized brand throughout Western Canada. I hope to have available a wide range of packages to events other than sports such as music festivals, film festivals, and cultural festivals and eventually packages for worldly events such as the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and Tomorrowland Music Festival to name a few. Q. What kind of advice would you give to other young entrepreneurs just starting out? A. You have to have some thick skin to be ready to experience (both the) highs and lows; where you may feel discouraged, like you want to give up, but also where you feel ecstatic for your accomplishments and where you see your business going. If you want your business to succeed you have to put the work in, don’t expect anybody to have the same passion for your business that you have. Sometimes when things don’t go as planned or expected you might need to go back to the drawing board and restrategize your approach and make the necessary adjustments. Q. How do you measure YOUR success? A. I would measure my success by being able to use the business as a platform to inspire, motivate, and educate other young entrepreneurs on the ups and downs of starting and running a business, and also to have the ability to give back and contribute to causes and/or events I believe in; anything related to social responsibility, environmental causes, cultural education/ awareness, even physical activity initiatives. Q. Who is your favorite sports team? A. Boo to the Bruins!! Haha but I am a Lucic fan lol. My favorite team is the Canucks. I would like to see OKC and the Raptors in the NBA finals with the Raptors winning. And I am a Bears and Patriots fan. So not really a one team guy but when you live in the middle of nowhere with no real specific professional team to put a claim on you end up spreading the love to a number of different teams for different reasons is my guess haha.
2015 NHL ALL-STAR PACKAGE: COLUMBUS, OHIO FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD 26TH Pre-game party where guests will enjoy a gourmet buffet menu with full open bar Doors open at 3 PM (Saturday) & 12 PM (Sunday) Gordon Biersch is located at 401 N Front St. across the Go street from Nationwide Arena Tickets to Skills Competition on Saturday the 24th Tickets to All-Star Game Sunday Hotel Accommodations
2015 SUPER BOWL PACKAGE: PHOENIX, ARIZONA JANUARY 30TH FEBRUARY 2ND Tickets to attend Official Super Bowl Party on Saturday Tickets to VIP Tailgate Party Tickets to Super Bowl Hotel Accommodations
2015 NBA ALL-STAR PACKAGE: NEW YORK, NEW YORK FEBRUARY 13TH 16TH Tickets to Saturday NBA All-Star Skills Competition Tickets to Sunday NBA All-Star Game Hotel Accommodations
EDITORIAL
NEW COLUMN: Introduction to my Life My name is Tala Tootoosis, I am a 31-year- old single mother from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, but residing in Saskatoon, SK. I have been asked by RezX Editor-In-Chief, Chris Ross to start writing this new column and blogs for the famous magazine RezX. It has been said that I have a special skill in telling stories, using storytelling to teach others based on examples from my life or how I have lived and learned, using brutal honesty and extreme detail to teach with humility and compassion as best I can.
By Tala Tootoosis
When I was little I got in trouble and was sent to the principal, I punched a boy in class for bullying me and didn’t tell the principal when he asked me what happened. When I got home that day my mom asked me why I did not say what happened to me, I told her I stayed silent because I was scared to get into trouble. My mom then said some very important words that stuck with me ever since that very incident, “if you want to remain in a position where people will always understand where you are coming from with the decisions you make, always tell the whole story and be brutally honest!” So with that, allow me to be brutally honest about my story; I am a recovering addict of Crystal meth, Crack cocaine and Alcohol. To say the least, I used to be a hard-core party girl. Everyone always asks me what it was that helped me to want to get sober, I always tell them that one day I just woke up and knew that I was born for something so much more amazing then to die from addictions. The Creator did not bring me here to be a human being on this earth to die as a martyr of what not to do. All I wanted when I got sober were such simple goals; I wanted to be a good mother, have my own home, get a job, and live a normal life, if there is such a thing as a normal life. That was in 2003 when I first sobered up, since then I have gone far beyond my own expectations of success and recovery in my own resiliency. I am now a motivational speaker for recovery from addictions with holistic healing. My agent for
speaking is Diversity Talent, and they are the ones who book me for speaking gigs. I have been a motivational speaker for eleven years, and speaking throughout Canada and I can be found on their website as well with my own personal Biography. I am a social worker, I have my degree, I went through university all five years straight through even though I went in pregnant, I got a 85.6 GPA in my first semester, I got cancer in my third year and still continued to finish university. I have been cancer free ever since 2012, went to ceremony to get doctored and have never had any problems ever since. I am now working as an addictions counselor at a treatment center here in Saskatoon. I have been in a couple plays with the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Program, Circle of Voices titled “Crystal Clear” and “Hunger Strike”. I have also been consistently involved in any community events in Saskatoon so that I can say I always give back for what I have been given - a second chance. Now I am ready to share experiences for others to see change can happen for anyone with writing and with Rez X magazine.
June 1 to 3, 2015
TCU Place, Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatoon
ABM is the most powerful Aboriginal-driven business development event in Canada. At each ABM, delegates initiate new business deals worth over $30 million. ABM Prairies is focused on the economies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We therefore design the event to match the business development priorities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba First Nations and Metis communities.
www.aboriginalbusinessmatch.com
MICHAEL LINKLATER
CATCHING UP WITH MICHAEL LINKLATER It’s been a very productive year for Michael Linklater, who has accomplished many things for himself and the community. Throughout the year, his basketball team competed in a number of FIBA (Federation of International Basketball Association) 3X3 basketball tournaments that took him around the world, including a trip to Tokyo, Japan in October to compete in the World Tour Finals. In November, he also took some time to organize a much needed event called, “Boys with Braids” in Saskatoon, SK, which was meant to empower Indigenous boys to be proud of their long hair and braids. To finish off the year in December, his team was invited to the FIBA 3X3 World All Star Tournament in Dhuhr, Qatar, where they will get the chance to prove themselves again on the world stage. For those not yet familiar with Linklater, achieving this kind of success took years in the making and its a story that I have followed as a reporter since I went to high school with him back in 1998.
BORN IN THE USA Beginning with his childhood; Michael Linklater was born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA, but was raised in Saskatoon, by his grandparents, Maria and Walter Linklater, both of whom he calls “Mom and Dad”. Linklater spent a lot of his childhood playing basketball on the courts of St.Mary’s Elementary School - a sacred place which was like his second home. It is here that his journey to basketball success began. In high school, Linklater’s game started to develop to a point where he was dominating other high school players. He was playing for Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs and was quickly becoming the buzz of Saskatoon basketball circles. In the off-season, Linklater also played organized basketball whenever he could, like participating in the 1998 Saskatchewan Indian Winter Games in Regina, where he would lead his team to Gold - becoming the first of many Championships in the future. Kevin Moccasin was his best friend at the time, and was just as competitive but also extremely talented due to his skills and length. As teenagers, Kevin and Michael were an unstoppable basketball duo on street courts throughout the city and for a brief time, teammates at Mount Royal. But in 2003, tragedy struck, as Moccasin went to an after hours party and got into a fight with another person and was stabbed and later passed away as
a result. For Linklater, it was devastating to lose his best friend, but Linklater took this as a lesson to just continue bettering himself. He never drank or did drugs in his life and continues to walk the red road while dribbling a basketball. So to honour his best friend, he started the Kevin Moccasin Memorial Basketball Tournament which took place four years in a row after his death and was brought back in 2013 to commemorate ten years since Moccasin passed away. Linklater described Kevin as, “a warm cheerful spirit always with a smile on his face and a protector over friends and family”. For Linklater, Life continued on in college in the US and Canada; 1st year with United Tribes (Bismarck, ND); 2nd year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (Saskatoon, SK); 3rd year with SAIT - Southern Alberta Institute of Technologies (Calgary, AB); 4th year with Lakeland College (Lloydminster, AB); and his 5th and final year back with the U of S Huskies. It was that year, when Linklater helped lead the U of S Huskies to their first ever Canadian InterUniversity Sport (CIS) Championship in 2010. “Winning the first ever Championship was huge for us” explained Linklater. But it wasn’t the last time he would chase a Championship. Earlier this year, Linklater and his team competed at FIBA 3X3 American Qualifiers in Chicago, IL, where they qualified for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Finals in Tokyo, Japan. Travelling to Japan in October, Linklater says it was a great cultural experience for his team. “It was great, new country, new culture... something worthwhile. Amazing to be in the competition. Japan put a lot of work in letting you experience their culture”. His team made it all the way to the championship final, where unfortunately they played their “worst game of the year”, says Linklater.
STORY BY CHRIS TYRONE ROSS Additional Reporting by Katryna Smith PHOTOS BY CURTIS CAMERON + Shelley Mike
INSPIRING INDIGENOUS YOUTH THROUGH BASKETBALL &
Although, they still qualified for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour All-Star Tournament in Dhuhr, Qatar on December 12th, which will see only six teams competing - arguably the best six 3 on 3 teams in the world. At press time, Linklater was jumping on a plane, going across the world again, and by the time this issue is released, we will know the results of that tournament - which might also be the most important thing in the world for these players. But in Saskatoon, Linklater felt there was a much more important issue besides basketball that needed his attention.
BOYS WITH BRAIDS When stories of Indigenous youth being bullied in school because of their long hair and braids starting making the news, Linklater, who also wears his long hair proudly in a braid, seen this and decided he needed to do something about it. “When I first saw the post and people on social media commenting about it, I saw the need for an event.”
One time, while doing some errands in Saskatoon, SK, I stopped at WBYL and seen Linklater playing ping pong with one of the kids. “We really encourage our staff to be interactive with youth” said Linklater. “I’ve never ever thought I was better than somebody, and some kids don’t know it, but being genuine and true to them, makes kids feel welcome here, and to just share a common interest with them”. At RezX, we call the people we profile, “real models” because they have to be relatable to the kids who might read our magazine, and Linklater fits the description perfectly. “When you do things to create your own path, you make it a bit easier, like seeing the first doctors, lawyers...but in no way am I comparing myself to them, it just gives young basketball players a chance to be able to see what I’ve done is possible. It’s about being relatable, I grew up in the inner city in Saskatoon, so to grow up and learn the game and go from Saskatoon to around the world, what’s stopping anyone else from doing it? “It’s recycling talent, giving back, because it’s not my gift and knowledge to keep, it is mine to share”.
So on November 20th, he organized “Boys with Braids” at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge which featured a variety of speakers like himself and Tasha Hubbard (a filmmaker) and invited mostly Indigenous boys and their parents to talk about the importance of long hair which is rooted in First Nations tradition. He also invited the public and local and national media to educate them about why they wear braids in the first place. “It defines who we are as Aboriginal people, boys and men, it’s like our trademark that we are proud, because we really lost touch with our hair, our traditions through our history with residential schools and colonialism”, explained Linklater. “When I was young I dealt with a lot of hardships of my. To see my (own) boys and my friends and family going through the same thing - It seemed to be repetitive of the same hardships. So awareness needed to be done. Encouragement and awareness about this and to inform the public of this very vital subject”. His commitment to youth continues to be strong. Linklater, now 32 and proud father of five children, works for the White Buffalo Lodge Youth Center as the Program Coordinator. His contribution has been profound in helping the youth on a daily basis.
& PRIDE
Photos: (top) Linklater in 3X3 Gear - Photo: Curtis Cameron (middle) Linklater and ‘Boys With Braids’ participants in Saskatoon - Photo: Shelley Mike; (bottom) Linklater’s Saskatoon Team Competing at FIBA 3X3 World Tour in Japan - Photo: Above Basketball Culture Magazine
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW
INDIGENOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS & NEWS OF 2014 How Indigenous Women Dominated The Headlines
2014 was the year, Indigenous People made a lot of progress, but was also another year of activism from the grass roots and Aboriginal politicians, against a Conservative Government that has long ignored their efforts. From calls for an inquiry of the 1200+ Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women to many Bills that have passed legislation, with some even failing like the First Nations Education Act, that forced the resignation of then AFN Chief Shawn Atleo - it was a year mired in politics with Indigenous people trying to change history or at least the outcome of it. However, 2014 wasn’t all about politics, as many Indigenous People achieved milestones, as you will read in our 2014 Indigenous Accomplishments and News of the Year, which was also the year Indigenous Women dominated the headlines.
Eriel Deranger organized a series of Anti-Tar Sands Concerts featuring the legendary Neil Young earlier in 2014 (Image Courtesy of TREATY)
JANUARY: The Four Launches, First TV show to feature four aboriginal women talking everyday issues
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW
Shauneen Pete, Shannon Fayant, Bevann Fox and Robyn Morin make up the all female cast of this new talk show which launched in January on Access 7 (Access Communication). The Four’s format was similar to The View, but it was different because it touched on a lot of issues facing Indigenous women and society and was also picked up in syndication in the US. Season 2 is set to kick off in January of 2014.
FEBRUARY: Eriel Deranger Organizes Neil Young Anti-Oil Sands Fundraisers across Canada The “Honor the Treaties” Concert Tour was a project to help fundraise legal fees for the Athabasca Chipweyan First Nation (ACFN). The concert series was started in 2013 by Neil Young touring Fort McMurray and surrounding area with nation member: Eriel Deranger (a main activist and advocate for ACFN). Neil Young launched the “Honor the Treaties Concert” tour after visiting the territory and witnessing the first hand impacts of the Oil Sands. Neil Young met with Chief Allan Adam of ACFN and learned more about the legal battle that is ongoing. This legal battle is opposing the expansion and opening of Shell Canada’s Jackpine Mine project in their territory (Treaty 8). The concert tour reached the fundraising goal of $75,000.00 through the four stop concert series. The “Honor the Treaties” tour reached a wide audience of Canadians that kick-started discussions about the Oil Sands and the industrial site’s impacts on First Nation people and territories and even the globe. Neil Young toured through Winnipeg, Toronto, Regina, and Calgary.
MARCH: A Tribe Called Red Wins Juno, first Aboriginal to win New Group (George Leach also wins Best Aboriginal CD) The 2014 Juno Award, Breakthrough Group of the Year was awarded to: A Tribe Called Red, the Indigenous Electric Powwow Drum group who consists of DJ Shub, DeeJay NDN, and DJ Bear Witness. This was the first time an Indigenous group has won outside of the Aboriginal Juno specific Category. It was a conscious decision for the group to not enter the Aboriginal Album of the Year Category, which was awarded to George Leach’s album Surrender. The group and their public stance on their decision raises questions whether or not the Juno’s need Aboriginal specific awards?
MARCH: Joseph Boyden’s Book: The Orenda won Canada Reads 2014 in March-An influential piece of literature for Indigenous people Joseph Boyden, an Indigenous Canadian author, won the Canada Reads 2014 awards and competition for novel, “The Orenda”. The
photo by Mike Dubois
photo by Ryan Peterman competition hosts Canadian personalities and they each pick a Canadian novel and publicly debate which novel should all Canadians read. The novel “The Orenda” was chosen over Margaret Atwood’s novel, “The Year of the Flood”. The book’s storyline is about before Canada formed as a formal nation and takes place between the Jesuit Missionaries and Iroquois and Huron. The competition has a goal to choose a novel that is meant to change our nation.
MARCH: Erica Violet Forces Name Change of Bedford Road Redmen The Saskatoon High School Bedford Road Collegiate changed their school name and mascot this year after many years of public debate and complaints lead by Erica Violet. The name was dropped after a Saskatoon School Board motion in March and after three months of meetings with Staff, students and Alumni the school revealed their new name Bedford Redhawks. The school began using the name “Redman” in the 1920’s and adopted an Aboriginal Man to be the logo in the 1960’s. The school said the name originally reflected the color of the sports teams jerseys and not any race. Without Erica Violet’s efforts, the name Redmen might never have changed today. Lace Mode
JUNE: Supreme Court of Canada Tsilhqot’in Nation Land Title Ruling The land title grantment was a one of a kind Supreme Court ruling in Canada. It granted Aboriginal title to more than 1700 kilometers of Tsilhqot’in territory to the Tsilhqot’in First Nation, which is made up of six bands. This sets a precedent for First Nations who have not signed Treaty in Canada. In 2012, the Tsilhqot’in First Nation was granted hunting, trade, and trapping within a large area of land. The government said that specific site declaration must be made where the traditional historic camps were, but the First Nation advocated that they were semi-nomadic to keep the land title broad. The Nation was successful in their resistance to narrowing their land title and claim. - Lace Mode
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW
From left to right: Dr Robin Evans (Associate Dean, Undergraduate), Dr David Gregory (Dean Faculty of Nursing), Chris Barlow (Program Head SCBScN), Robin Woodhouse McKenzie (student), Tegan Pfefferle (student), Sarah Weeks (student), Dr Netha Dyck (Dean of Nursing).
AUGUST: 5 ABORIGINAL NURSES First Five Aboriginal Nurses Fast Track and Graduate from the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program This past August, five Aboriginal nurses graduated one year early from the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN) program, which is offered jointly by the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. As part of the very first graduating class of this new collaborative degree program, they became the first Aboriginal graduates of the program - and that is why they made it on RezX’s Indigenous Accomplishments of 2014.
photo by Ryan Peterman
JULY: Regina Hosts 2014 North American Indigenous Games Regina hosted the North American Indigenous Games 2014 (NAIG). The NAIG website states, “the event showcased unity, sport, culture, youth, volunteerism and teamwork amongst First Nations, Métis, and non-Indigenous”. The weeklong events hosted teams and groups from 21 nations in North America through 14 sporting events including cultural events. The games brought thousands of people to Regina and injected millions of dollars into Regina’s economy. - Lace Mode
SEPTEMBER: Tanya Tagaq, Indigenous Inuit Musician won the 2014 Polaris Music award in September beating Arcade Fire and Drake The Polaris Music Award recognizes Canadian recorded music “of the highest artistic integrity” as stated on their website. The winner for 2014, Tanya Tagaq and her album Animism is breaking many barriers and definitions in music. Tanya Tagaq’s album Animism described by Geoff Berner off her official website: “If you listen, you will careen through a panorama of the contradictions of existence. You can hear the living land, and the
The graduates were to convocate in 2015 if they had followed the usual course of studies. But they fast tracked by taking classes year round with very few breaks, so were able to graduate a year before other students. This is quite an accomplishment to juggle heavy program demands with personal commitments – and not have a summer break. The SCBScN program is unique in that students have the opportunity to interact with patients in their first year of the program. This four year, direct entry program is offered in Regina (187 seats), Saskatoon (150 seats) and Swift Current (8 seats). Students in their third year also have the opportunity to apply for the accelerated option, completing their nursing education in three years instead of four. One of the graduates who RezX talked to was Mindy Cameron, who took her studies in Saskatoon and said the program fit her personal
land under assault. You can hear children being born and conceived. You can hear the torture of the innocent, and the glory of the tenacious, unstoppable force of life. If you listen you can actually hear the sound of a people defying genocide to rise, wounded but alive, strong, and ready to fight.” - Lace Mode
OCTOBER: The ‘Falcon’ Almost Became Winnipeg’s First Aboriginal Mayor Robert Falcon-Oullette (Cree) was an electoral candidate for Mayor in the Winnipeg, MB election 2014. He has been nicknamed “the
needs when she applied. “I needed to find a job that followed me, instead of following it, and the good thing about nursing is, you have a job when you’re done,” she explains. Like many others who start in nursing, it can be a little intimidating. But Cameron easily overcame that with a support group of fellow students and nurses. “The biggest thing is you feel so alone in the beginning, but then you meet all the other women and you make really good friends and help each other through it,” she says. Cameron says her decision to become a nurse was also about empowerment. “I had to do something for myself. Being a mom made me feel confident, and I felt it would be empowering to be more helpful.” The SCBScN’s Aboriginal Nursing Student Achievement Program (ANSAP) provides Aboriginal students on campus with support services to ensure program success. Both the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have Aboriginal advisors available to provide one-onone support throughout the application process and nursing studies. Applications are received each year between October 1 and February 15. Contact nursing@uregina.ca or nursing@saskpolytech.ca for more information. Falcon” from his public speeches during his electoral candidate addresses, especially on his approach to topics such as race, Indigenous women issues, and poverty. Falcon’s history involves him growing up impoverished, spending time in the Military, and also includes his education credentials, which are lengthy: Bachelor of arts in music from the University of Calgary, master’s in music and master’s in education from Université Laval, and a PhD in anthropology from Laval. Falcon ended up coming up short but third overall in the Winnipeg Election. - Lace Mode
OCTOBER: Sisters In Spirit Vigil Hundreds of people were in attendance at the annual Sisters In Spirit Vigil, which took place on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the First Nations University of Canada. This year’s event focused on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. According to Jacqueline Anaquod, event organizer, this vigil is crucial to providing “a traditional and ceremonial space for our community members who have been affected by violence.” One of Jacqueline’s goals for this event was to “bridge Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together.” With the help of organizations like University of Regina, UofR Students’ Union, Amnesty International, Prairie Lily Feminist Group, and especially Regina Police Service, Jacqueline says she is hopeful that together they can “build relationships so that our future generations will have a foundation to stand on”.
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW
2014 Indigenous Accomplishments
Executive Profile: Leanne Bellegarde, Director of Aboriginal Strategy, PotashCorp Story by Chris Tyrone Ross In 2014, Leanne M. Bellegarde accomplished a lot working with the Aboriginal community as PotashCorp’s Director of Aboriginal Strategy. From job fairs to business competitions to summer camps, the Saskatoon-based company has seen its investment in the community pay off through partnerships. These partnerships have led to recruiting opportunities and creating a strong representative workforce – working towards changing the face of PotashCorp’s workforce in Saskatchewan. Bellegarde, originally from Treaty 4 territory, grew up in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. She currently resides in Saskatoon and is a member of the Kawacatoose First Nation. In 2010, she was seconded by PotashCorp from the N. Murray Edwards School of Business to help develop an Aboriginal strategy and was invited to stay on board for the position she holds now.
Photo by Chris Ross
OCTOBER: Rare Treaty Four Medal Comes Home A rare Treaty Four Medal, one of only 21 original medals presented to each chief who entered into treaty on Sept. 15, 1874 has finally come home, thanks to the intervention of Paula Acoose, a proud member of the Treaty Four Territory, and her husband, Ray McCallum. The medal was purchased at auction in Ontario by the couple, who went up against five other bidders. When it discovered that this medal would be available to purchase, the couple dipped into their own personal savings, to the tune of $48,300 to bring this medal home because they knew the significance of it. And according to McCallum, “you can’t put a price on history. Generations to come are going to embrace this medal; we cannot put a measurement on that. For me this medal represents an entire history of Treaty Four since its existence in 1874, and it brings forward the spirit and intent of the negotiations. And so for that reason I am very proud for the people of Treaty Four to now have this medal in their possession.” As for Acoose, she “has always wanted to be able to have an opportunity like this to support my people, and to support the kids too, and this (medal) is something tangible that they can hold and see and feel, and they know that they are Treaty people.” On September 29, 2014, Acoose’s dream to bring the medal home to her Treaty Four Territory became a reality.
“The Director of Aboriginal Strategy is providing long-term direction for PotashCorp on its Saskatchewan operations for Aboriginal inclusion across employment. My role also impacts how we direct community investment with an emphasis on education and training and how we prepare our workplace to be a better employer for Aboriginal people,” said Bellegarde. Under her leadership, PotashCorp has built a solid foundation for its work with the Aboriginal community through various partnerships and community investments. Some of those community investments include youth leadership and employment camps called the Atoske Program, business planning competitions like STC’s Mimo-Bimadziwaan and the FNUniv Entrepreneurship Camp, and career fairs called ‘The Future is Yours’ and Stepping Stones. PotashCorp also continues to deepen its relationship with the STC, a partner in many of these programs that directly benefit its members on and off reserve. “Aboriginal strategy is founded upon building mutually beneficial relationships with the Aboriginal community, so when you talk about partnerships – one of our earliest examples that still stands today is with the Saskatoon Tribal Council – the relationship continues to grow,” said Bellegarde. Although PotashCorp has other Aboriginal partners, Bellegarde said STC is an illustration of the kind of influence a corporation can have working with the Aboriginal community. For example, science camps now run K-12, inspiring youth to pursue the prerequisites for a broader range of careers. Increasingly, young
people from the seven Saskatoon Tribal Council First Nations learn new skills and gain valuable experience through initiatives supported through the partnership. PotashCorp sponsors several business planning competitions, and it is rewarding to see the selfsufficiency of a new cadre of young Aboriginal entrepreneurs emerging. SheNative’s Devon Fiddler, Heather Abbey’s online shopindigenous. ca and Nathan Kaye’s sport event travel business, have all taken home prize money for their business ideas. “When we look at the range of where we make our community investments, we try to be more thoughtful, like the business planning competition with STC, which supports youth entrepreneurs developing their business ideas,” said Bellegarde. For Bellegarde, her work with PotashCorp in the past five years is a reflection of her long career which included a variety of positions; working for the Government of Canada on the Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement, as a lawyer for SaskTel and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and running her own successful private law practice on the Muskeg Lake First Nation Urban Reserve in Saskatoon. She was also the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), and is the recipient of a 2014 Alumni Achievement Award by the University of Saskatchewan for her work in Aboriginal partnerships. When asked about being a successful Indigenous woman and what drives her to succeed, Bellegarde said it just comes down to doing the best you can at what you do. “I remember when I was young, out of school, one of the elders saying to me, ‘first you have to get good at what you’re supposed to be doing, then you can worry about making a contribution to your people.’ So I always took that as a very important lesson.”
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW It wasn’t until the next year that Coach Brooks recalls his first successful season, “2009 we had our first successful season were we went 6-1-1 and we lost in the first round of the playoffs.” And from that day on the North Central Lakers have not looked back, indeed this year was the first year in the clubs young history to play in the Bantam Championship final. Sadly, after that first touchdown by the Renegades and despite three Laker’s interceptions, and a hard battle that seesawed the scoreboard throughout the game the final score came out to be a heartbreaking loss of 38-26 in the Renegades favor.
Story and Photos by Bill Stevenson
NOVEMBER - North Central Lakers Come Close to City Championship The North Central Lakers are Regina’s inner-city youth football team. Starting out in 2006 as the Pee Wee Blues, this team entered the Bantam Football Division in 2007 and adopted the Lakers name.
Coach Brandon Brooks has been there since the start and remembers his early years as being a bit rough, “My first year we went 0-8. The second year we went 1-7. The third year we went 1-7. Once we were able to get uniforms that represented us, we found our identity and started moving forward.”
Coach Brooks intends to plan his team better next year and tips his hat to the Bantam Division coaching, “The Bantam Division in the Regina Minor Football has great coaching. I think we have to make sure our boys are more ready for the unexpected each game.” To the inner-city youth that come to play on his team from all ethnic backgrounds Coach Brooks wants to encourage them by saying, “If you choose to play football then you better make sure that it’s the sport for you. It’s the greatest sport on the planet, but if you’re not sold on being committed it can be a brutal sport to play.”
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW It was at this stage that Devon began preparing for business competitions and the experience she gained was invaluable. “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback, what will work; what won’t work. When I first presented my business idea, wow! It was really scary because people just weren’t impressed with my very first pitch. I was so scared. I was so shaky. I could not present very well. I’ve just gotten better at it with practice, being through these competitions really shaping what the idea really is.” Starting a business is definitely not an easy task and even the business name needed initial tweaking. SheNative originally began as “Kaskihowin Designs.” Kaskihowin is a Cree word meaning to be able to succeed but the name would be short lived. “What I found out was that the first brand I had just wasn’t a very good brand because people couldn’t say Kaskihowin. They didn’t know what it means and they couldn’t spell it. So we just came up with SheNative. SheNative is quick and easy to say. It matched with everything we’re trying to do.”
DECEMBER - Devon Fiddler Gets Ready to Launch She Native Goods Inc. Story by Shane Bellegarde /Photos by Bill Stevenson Devon Fiddler is the Owner of SheNative Goods Inc. but her job is also listed as Chief Changemaker. It is a fitting title for someone whose high-end handbag and accessories brand aims to do more than just turn heads. SheNative supports and partners with Indigenous artisans, designers and businesses as well as donates 10% of their profits to social impact programs. Devon is a proud Cree woman from the Waterhen Lake First Nation and is a real model of how hard work and determination can inspire change. A place in the fashion industry has always been an aspiration for Devon. “It was something I had dreamed about doing since I was a little girl. I used to draw all of these little outfits growing up. I looked at all of the Cosmo magazines. It was something that I felt I could do. I wanted to do something creative.” Not exactly sure where to harness her creative energy right out of high school, Devon attended the University of Saskatchewan and earned an Aboriginal Public Administration, Political Studies degree while graduating with honors. After University Fiddler says, “I got a job with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council Resource Development. They put me in a position where I had to work with entrepreneurs.” This is where Devon’s initial ideas began to take place, although she admits at that point, “I had no idea what I was doing.” One thing she did know was how to take advantage of opportunities and she used this time to attend workshops and business planning programs that she was able to bring into her community.
All of Devon’s hard work was paying off and in September of 2013 she received Special Recognition at the CBC Boom Box Competition. She was also making great contacts. “About a year ago I met Sheena Reepath. She’s an independent designer at a product development company called ‘Ideal Samples’.” Sheena had a lot of great advice and expertise to offer. “We talked about my ideas and we talked about my experience... What she did was help me build my business model.” With this help her presentations only got better and in March 2014 she won 2nd place at the STC Mino-Bimaadiziwin Youth Business Plan Competition. In April of 2014 she was also a recipient of The Young Arts Entrepreneur Fund courtesy of the Michaelle Jean Foundation. Throughout all of this success, giving back has always been at the forefront of Devon’s mind. “Everything that we discussed when we were mapping out our business model and our business ideas really came from empowering Indigenous women. That’s what I really wanted to do. It didn’t matter what I wanted to sell...That was the root vision of why I started a business and we just kind of built everything around that.” SheNative, which just launched www.shenative. com in time for this holiday season, offers a collection of stunning handbags proudly made in Canada. They are elegant, simple, and beautiful with accents that empower but don’t overpower. The site also has more to offer. “We have a couple of t-shirts. One I’m actually wearing right now. I love our brand. I love our logo. I think just the logo itself is so simple, but it works. I think people will actually want to really rock this shirt.” In keeping with her high standards even the t-shirts are top quality. “We love the concept of using bamboo. It is very soft and luxurious feeling. We wanted to put quotes on all of our t-shirts so that we can actually inspire the women wearing them. We do have one male t-shirt and we are looking to start HeNative that will support Indigenous women.” It is a sharp black Tee with #warrior on the back and 2 feathers on the front. “It’s really a
way for men to get involved in changing history, or changing her story.” SheNative is excited to be taking big strides as this year comes to a close and on November 17th launched an Indiegogo campaign. The funding deadline closes December 22nd. This is a great way to show your support and take advantage of early bird pricing on some of the products. https://www. indiegogo.com/projects/shenative-creating-apositive-impact-on-herstory. Devon is thrilled with the support thus far and excited for the opportunities to come. “Right now we are looking for partnerships with organizations that have the same mission as us... The main goal is to contribute to really providing jobs and opportunities to these women. So we want to contribute to their economic prosperity... I find that there’s not a lot of aboriginal women in business and it’s something that I think is needed.” Her advice to those with dreams of their own, “Take every single opportunity out there... There’s a lot of great business planning workshops our there right now that you can take and there’s so much money out there for Aboriginal entrepreneurs to start their business.”
ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC PROFILE /REVIEW: Leonard Sumner’s Rez Poetry
Leonard is a proud Anishinaabe and grew up on the Little Saskatchewan First Nation in Manitoba. Soon enough the family car rides included taking Leonard to sing in Treaty Day contests. “I’d sing in those contests. I’d sing karaoke and stuff like that and then around the same time I started really getting into hip hop. I remember I saw a War Party video. That was like the early 2000’s. I was like ‘Man, that’s cool that they have a video on Much Music. I could probably write a song.’ So I started dabbling with hip hop. I’d been already writing a little bit, rhyming and free styling. It all came together through my teenage years.” Far removed from his first rhymes, Leonard has honed his craft and his well thought out, powerful lyrics flow effortlessly as he tackles topical issues that are important to Indigenous people. Pairing his words and grooves with an acoustic guitar carved out a niche for Leonard to thrive in and he worked hard to turn that into something tangible for fans. “I’ve always been singing and writing though. It’s been probably 15 years of working with music but it was finally within the last year and a half that I finally got my album out.”
(4 .5 Sterlings out of 5) Leonard Sumner’s first musical memories came courtesy of the radio in the family car. “We had this old Chrysler Dynasty. It was a red one. We’d always listen to old country music like Dwight Yoakum, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, all that old stuff driving into the city.” If it wasn’t dialed in to country then his mom must have switched it over to the station that “played a lot of oldies and Motown stuff.” Young Leonard was only five or six and had no way of knowing the impact that this blend of rural and urban music would have on him or that one day it would be his voice coming over the radio.
Releasing an album is a daunting and costly venture and Leonard found help through programs at Manitoba Music*. “Without them I wouldn’t have been able to understand how the music industry works... That was the biggest thing in my career was being able to get the album out. Without the help of Manitoba Music and helping me make those connections I probably would have never known how to put it all together.” Opening up the first box of CDs was very special for Leonard. “There it is. There’s everything you’ve worked hard for. In your hands...It was an incredible feeling.” It was also an incredible day for music lovers. Leonard’s debut album entitled ‘Rez Poetry’ was produced brilliantly by Doug Cox and showcases the talent, range and substance that Leonard has to offer.
To say that the CD was well received would be an understatement. “Rez Poetry’ helped catapult Leonard into the national spotlight as he won the award for Best New Artist and was nominated for the Best Folk/Acoustic CD at the Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards. “The joke was that I’m the Best New ‘Old’ Artist. My friends were kind of ribbing me about that but it was really a highlight for what I do, for my career, for my music. It was a really big moment for me... When they said ‘The winner is Leonard Sumner, I was like ‘Wow!’ I looked at my parents and I was kind of surprised. I was kind of in shock. I went up and gave my speech and the rest of the night is kind of a blur.” That blurry night included interviews, photographs, celebrations and a concert for the Winnipeg crowd who sang along and shared in the moment. “It felt almost ceremonial. The singing was empowering.” It hasn’t slowed down much for Leonard since that night. He’s been busy playing shows and introducing his music, message and charm to people everywhere he goes. “The way I approach it is I take every opportunity that I can... I just go out and give the best performance I can and they’ll decide whether they like it or not.” It would seem that the majority of fans like what Leonard has to offer and are eager for him to travel to their local venues. However he’s traveling, I’m sure there’ll be music playing.
By Shane Bellegarde Local artists looking for assistance or direction should visit Sask Music at www.saskmusic.org For more Info on Leonard Sumner, visit; www. rezpoetry.com Purchase this album on iTunes; http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/leonardsumner
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Designed by Tracey George-Heese, Timeless Shadows. Custom orders through Tatanka Boutique
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Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Excellence in nursing education through real-world experiences If you want an exciting career that will make a difference in people’s lives, consider the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN) program offered jointly by the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Each year, the SCBScN program accepts a total of 345 students at its locations in Regina, Saskatoon and Swift Current. The SCBScN program also has 53 equity seats available for Aboriginal Students. Aboriginal Nursing Student Achievement Program (ANSAP) advisors will help answer any questions about the SCBScN program. ANSAP staff can provide academic services and personal support for you during your application process and nursing studies. Contact nursing@uregina.ca for more information.
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Nursing student, Celeste O.