ISSUE 96 SPRING 2019
SINCE 2002
CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Project Journey
Making a Difference for Youth in Pikangikum First Nation
Indigenous Law Firm Fights for its People
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2019 Vision Quest Keynote Presenters
Jordin Tootoo and Lorne Cardinal
Podcasting
Limitless Possibilities
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SINCE 2002
CONTENTS
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Cover Story: Cochrane Saxberg LLP Goes the Extra Mile for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
ISSUE 96
SPRING 2019
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SAY MAGAZINE Volume 18, Issue 3 SAY Magazine publishes eight times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, as well as Health and Fitness, Back2School, Economic Development and Education Guide issues. SAY Magazine is published by Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Inc. Mailing Address: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084 Winnipeg, MB Canada R2C 5G7 E: info@saymag.com www.saymag.com
SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or in submitted material. Graphics, photographs, editorial content and other printed material are the property of SAY Magazine and may not be used without the written permission of SAY Magazine. ISSN: 1707-3049 All copy copyright 2018 by SAY Magazine GST: 856627534RT0001
Publishers Dominick Blais and Kent Brown Editor-in-Chief/Sales Manager Danielle Vienneau editor@saymag.com
Sustainable Program Empowers Youth and Builds Life Skills in One Northwestern Ontario First Nations Community
the Needs of First 9 MFNERC—Meeting Nations Schools in Manitoba 19 Cell Phone Usage in the Office Company Trains Indigenous 20 Software Software Testers across Canada about the Workforce 22 Learn Development Pipeline in Alaska
Art Director Orli Gelfat - Orli G. Design
23 Music 27 Podcasting—A Growing Trend 30 Career Development Tips 32 Literary Profile—Smokii Sumac 34 Introducing Tribal Police Files
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Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks.
Submissions are welcome. Articles, letters, queries etc. should be sent by email to the editor at editor@saymag.com. SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for submitted material. Connect with us: www.facebook.com/saymagazine https://twitter.com/SAYMagazine www.pinterest.ca/SAYMagazine
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Indigeneer Deanna Burgart Paves the Way for Indigenous Peoples in STEM
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Vision Quest Celebrates its 23rd Conference & Trade Show
CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT | 3
PUBLISHERS’ MESSAGE
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uilding a skilled Indigenous workforce means creating a thriving economy, and for that to occur there must be a focus on building respectful relationships and increasing Indigenous participation in the labour market. As Indigeneer Deanna Burgart (featured on page 12) puts it, “We must bridge the gap between industry perspectives and Indigenous perspectives,” for overall long-term economic benefits and for all involved. Many of the individuals and organizations featured in this spring issue of SAY Magazine are doing just that and ensuring that Indigenous peoples have access to quality education and training, and are engaged in sustainable, meaningful employment. Inside this issue you’ll find many articles about skill and career development. Read about a grassroots effort focused on youth development in Pikangikum First Nation in Ontario, Canada, and how the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) in the USA has developed a workforce pipeline with key partners to prepare a skilled labour force and transform the future of their region. We are extremely excited to share the story of Cochrane Saxberg LLP, a new law firm in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and featured on the cover. This group of lawyers are fighting for the rights of First Nations and Métis people in a number of ways. Half of the lawyers at the firm are Indigenous, including three of the five partners. All of them possess extensive experience in
Dominick Blais and Kent Brown Co-Publishers, SAY Magazine
the area of Indigenous Law and Child Protection Law among other areas, and have already made enormous impacts through their contributions. As Indigenous peoples, we have so much to offer through our knowledge, culture and communities. We hope you are inspired by what you read in this issue, and that it helps you take steps towards building and contributing to a skilled workforce.
Next Issue: Summer 2019
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Summer 2019
97
Summer Solstice
May 1, 2019
May 17, 2019
Jun. 6, 2019
Back 2 School
98
Back to School
Jul. 12, 2019
Jul. 26, 2019
Aug. 15, 2019
Fall 2019
99
Health & Fitness Aug. 15, 2019
Sept. 9, 2019
Sept. 30, 2019
Special Edition
100
Global Indigeneity
Aug. 23, 2019
Sept. 23, 2019
Oct. 31, 2019
Economic Development & Entrepreneurs
101
Business
Oct. 28, 2019
Nov. 12, 2019
Dec. 2, 2019
Winter 2020
102
Leadership
Dec. 2, 2019
Dec. 16, 2019
Jan. 13, 2019
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2019 MAY 4-5
JUN 6-7
MAY 14-16
NAIITS 2019 Symposium Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.naiits.com
7th Annual National Indigenous Physical Activity & Wellness Conference Ermineskin Junior High School Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada www.a-pacc.com/conference-announcement-2019
Vision Quest Conference & Trade Show RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada www.vqconference.com
MAY 28-31
Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) 2019 Metro Toronto Convention Centre Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.rendezvouscanada.ca
NASAI: Native American Student Advocacy Institute Conference Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA https://nasai.collegeboard.org
June 6-8
JUN 21
National Indigenous Peoples Day Canada
JUN 22
APTN’s Indigenous Day Live Canada Winnipeg, Manitoba; Whitehorse, Yukon; Calgary, Alberta
CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT | 5
GRASS ROOTS DEVELOPMENT
Project Journey
Enacts Positive Change in Pikangikum First Nation “The Creator works in mysterious ways,” McClellan (Mac) Hall said as he reflected on the nine years that have passed since he attended a conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a conference that would change his life. Sponsored by a group called the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, it was at this that he learned more about the issues faced by many First Nations people in Canada.
Hall, of Cherokee descent, is a graduate of the Native Teacher Education program at the University of Washington and is a former teacher and principal of two American tribal schools. He is the founder of the National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP) situated in New Mexico, USA. In operation for over three decades, the NIYLP focuses on positive youth development based on “traditional wisdom and values common to Indigenous people across North America,” primarily through outdoor adventure. At the conference Hall saw a documentary about a Northwestern Ontario community called Pikangikum First Nation that had experienced multiple traumas and suicides—and he was shaken to his core. “This was a tragic situation,” said Hall. “I remember walking out after the video 6 | CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT
thinking about ways I could help and how we could bring our program [Project Venture] to that community. It made such an impression on me that I couldn’t get it out of my thoughts.” Pikangikum is an isolated community located in Northern Ontario, Canada, approximately 500 kilometres from Thunder Bay, Ontario. In 2013, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) secured funding through Public Safety Canada to deliver a five-year youth engagement project in Pikangikum, and coincidentally called Mac Hall to consult on the project. The five-year youth engagement project managed by the OPP was named Project Journey, based on NIYLP’s signature program Project Venture. In 2013 the youth engagement program launched, providing the opportunity for students to learn in a positive and safe environment, and develop resiliency, self-esteem and leadership skills. The OPP was instrumental in launching and delivering the program while mentoring community members and youth in the hopes that the program would eventually be taken over by the community and integrated into the school system.
Sergeant Chris Amell, who had been working in Pikangikum since 2007, was assigned as the Project Coordinator. The project aimed to cover a range of topics such as building relationships, self image, capacity building, skill building and healthy choices. The objective was to increase opportunities for youth in the community to use local resources and pull people together to meet their needs.
Project Journey Curriculum
With guidance from Mac Hall and training through the NIYLP, the program model is based on Project Ventures commitment to respecting yourself and your community, and growing as a person. The program is targeted at students in grades 6 and 7, and incorporates a 26-week curriculum which follows the calendar year and includes a practical component. Project Journey partners with the new Eenchokay Birchstick School to deliver the curriculum two times a week. Each year the program has ended with a five-day celebratory canoe trip—a truly transformative experience for students. Once “graduated” grade 8 students become junior leaders and have the opportunity to participate in community outreach initiatives such as Meals on Wheels, a bike riding program and splitting wood for Elders.
GRASS ROOTS DEVELOPMENT
Grades 9-12 students continue to act as mentors and champions of the program for the younger youth in spring break and summer camps, and have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program. To further engage the entire community in Project Journey, the program has expanded to include family activities, community service learning events, and arts and culture events, which create positive common experiences for youth and their families. In order to remove barriers to participation, Project Journey was able to purchase much-needed equipment, clothing, food and snacks, and cover the cost of transportation to activities. “Through that approach, participation really increased. All that was required was a willingness to participate,” said Sergeant Amell. “With each small success you could see the community start to get behind the program itself. They started realizing that a lot of the things they didn’t think were possible, or too challenging, were being accomplished utilizing the resources in the community and in working together.”
working for the band. “The employment program had a really interesting and organic growth,” said Emily Atkinson, Assistant Project Coordinator. “We went from having 10 students employed in the first year to having 70 students employed in year five.” By the 5th year the program had incorporated an application process and several key positions for youth to apply for, such as manager and supervisor roles. “One of the byproducts was that we found we were tackling the youths understanding of how the workforce works without really planning for it,” said Atkinson. “We were teaching students what successful employ-
ment looks like and we were able to hone in on the interests and skills of the youth and connect them with an existing program in the school.” By 2018 Pikangikum youth had proposed and built incredible capital projects in the community such as boardwalks, docks, picnic pavilions, play grounds, baseball diamonds, and walking bridges. These projects allowed youth to feel accomplished and proud in being able to give back to their community. All of these structures are still intact and this shows a sense of respect in the program,” said Samson Keeper, Chairperson, Pikangikum Education Authority.
Summer Youth Employment Program
The Summer Youth Employment Program was created in partnership with the community and initially engaged all youth
Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau visits Pikangikum CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT | 7
GRASS ROOTS DEVELOPMENT Success of Project Journey
Project Journey established a strong partnership with the new school and health authority, creating a strong community support system. Through the curriculum and community activities, the program built the capacity for youth to take control over the matters that directly involve them, and helped teach community members and older youth how to lead the program.
Another indirect outcome of the program was the impact on the parents/guardians of the youth participants. They became the ones to connect the youth with the OPP. It gave people the opportunity to see that the OPP is not all about enforcement, and enabled the community to get to know individual officers and see the other side of what policing is all about.
The Legacy and Future of “The program was so successful because Project Journey there were people placed in full time positions in the community who were able to build relationships with the community, with Elders and with families,” said Atkinson. “The name Project Journey alone built such a positive reputation—a lot of people wanted to be tied to it because there were always exciting things going on.”
The funding from Public Safety Canada ended in November 2018 and through the OPP, Project Journey was able to be transitioned to the school. The community, school and education authority found the funding to sustain the program and were able to hire a First Nations facilitator to continue the program.
Young adults wanted to volunteer and young kids saw their siblings participate in exciting activities. The program essentially reached everyone from mom and tots playgroups to elders and everyone in between. “We were able to reach everyone in the community in some way through Project Journey. It was incredible to see that growth from the core curriculum and how that sprouted roots in the community,” said Atkinson.
“The board of directors saw the importance of this program and all unanimously voted in favour of keeping the program in the school. Every day we get to see the program being delivered as their classroom is right next door to our office,” said Keeper.
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It was important for the OPP to step back, allowing the community to take ownership and for others to flourish and grow the program in their own unique way.
“We are currently training the youth that have been in the program for over three years to become the facilitators of the program, encouraging increased participation of younger students. In the long run we will see the next generation take over from the current facilitator trainees with Eenchokay Birchstick School as the driving force,” said Keeper. The program leaves behind a legacy of youth leadership, increased competence and new infrastructure. Most importantly there were no suicides among the youth in the program over the five years which is a positive outcome seen across the board in all Project Venture modelled programs in the USA and Canada. Project Journey made a big difference in decreasing juvenile crime and arrests in Pikangikum, and as a bonus really improved the relationship between the community and the police.
Project Venture is recognized by the National Registry of Effective Programs and Practices (NREPP) and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). Find out more about Project Venture and The National Indian Youth Leadership Project at https://projectventure.org. You can also learn more about Project Journey Pikangikum via Facebook or YouTube.
EDUCATION
Manitoba First Nations
Education Resource Centre
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he Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. (MFNERC) provides programs and services to meet the specific needs of First Nations schools in Manitoba. These programs are designed in partnership with First Nations educators, administrators, and a variety of stakeholders. Program and project development are informed by continuous community input and involvement. MFNERC’s team consists of highly qualified program directors, administrators, and facilitators to ensure that all identified goals are met. Staff consists of specialists in language (Cree, Dakota, Dene, Ojibwe and Ojibwe-Cree), culture, numeracy and literacy, special education and science and technology. In addition, school psychologists, speech and language pathologists, and reading clinicians are available to all schools upon request. Supporting First Nations helps to fulfill MFNERC’s mission to improve education for all learners to achieve mino-pimatisiwin (the good life). Learn more about MFNERC and available resources by visiting mfnerc.com or email info@mfnerc.com.
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CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Vision Quest
2019 From Vision to Reality Welcoming nearly 1,000 participants each year, the Vision Quest Conference has taken place in May every year in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada since 1997 with great success. Vision Quest celebrates its 23rd Conference & Trade Show by bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and youth to discuss and promote Indigenous business, community and economic development.
From May 14 – 16, 2019,
Vision Quest will provide opportunities for learning, networking, information sharing, partnership building, as well as cultural awareness and entertainment. Over the three-day event Vision Quest will welcome many inspiring work-shop facilitators and speakers, including keynote speakers Jordin Tootoo (day two) and Lorne Cardinal (day three).
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JORDIN TOOTOO NHL’s First Inuk Player and Author of All the Way: My Life on Ice
Raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut (Canada), Jordin Tootoo played for the Brandon Wheat Kings before being chosen by the Nashville Predators to become the first Inuk player to join the National Hockey League (NHL). He went on to play with the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks, banking 161 points in 723 games. An Indigenous athletic trailblazer and leader, Tootoo has long understood his responsibility as a role model. His memoir All the Way: My Life on Ice brings an uplifting message, and he is committed to his work through the Team Tootoo Foundation, founded in honour of his late brother Terence. Tootoo was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for promoting healthy living in Nunavut, and for encouraging conversations about difficult topics like addiction and suicide. At the age of 35, and after 15 incredible years in the NHL, Tootoo announced his retirement from the NHL in October 2018.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Event highlights LORNE CARDINAL Award-Winning Film and TV Actor, and Stage and Screen Director
A classically trained Canadian actor, Lorne Cardinal is best known for his work on CTV’s Corner Gas, playing Sgt. Davis Quinton. Previous stage credits include The Last Wife (ATP), G.G Award-winning Where the Blood Mixes, and Thunderstick (Theatre Network, Persephone Theatre, Western Canada Theatre). Recent television and film credits include When Calls the Heart, Bad Seed, Trouble with Christmas, and Tin Star. His voice work can also be heard on Corner Gas Animated (Comedy Network), and Molly of Denali (PBS). Cardinal is also a director of the stage and screen.
to look forward to: Trade Show
The Vision Quest Trade Show is FREE and open to the public on Wednesday, May 15, and Thursday, May 16, during the conference and will be held in the City View Ballroom, Hall C, South Building in the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg.
Gala Banquet
The Gala Banquet includes a three-course dinner to presentation of awards for the Dragon’s Quest Business Plan Competition and the Steve Prince Memorial Bursary, music, cultural presentations, visual artistry and the brilliance of comedic hypnotist and mentalist, Scott Ward as the featured entertainer. (Visit http://www.vqconference.com/conference/register/ for cost information)
Dragon’s Quest Business Plan Competition
The Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) in partnership with Vision Quest holds the Dragon’s Quest Business Plan Competition. Dragon’s Quest finalists make a live pitch to a panel of business professionals, and the winners are announced at the Gala banquet.
The 23rd Vision Quest Conference & Trade Show takes place May 14 to 16 at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg. Registration is available online now at www.vqconference.com.
CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT | 11
PROFILE
Deanna Burgart Indigeneer The 2018 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Blazing Flame Award winner, Deanna Burgart is a pioneer in her field and a highly sought after expert in uniting diverse communities through understanding one another and identifying common goals. An experienced speaker with the International Indigenous Speakers Bureau (IISB), Burgart seeks to educate Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples about Indigenous Engineering Inclusion through mentorship and innovative workshops.
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urgart grew up in both Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Singapore, and is a member of Fond du Lac First Nation in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. A self-proclaimed “Indigeneer”, Burgart is a certified Engineering Technologist and an engineer, and has worked in the oil and gas industry for over 20 years. She is passionate about the environment and protecting Mother Earth, and has dedicated much of her career to creating opportunities for Indigenous peoples in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professions, and bridging the gap between industry perspectives and Indigenous perspectives. After several years in the industry, she launched her own consultancy called Indigenous Engineering Inclusion Inc. where she works with Indigenous groups and post-secondary institutions to answer this question: “What does reconciliation look like in this space, and how do we take action on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action in a meaningful way for energy, for the engineering profession, for academia and for industries or corporations?”. In her work with many First Nations, she is the engineering and industry translator, providing customized workshops to empower communities to make informed decisions based on their wants and needs.
Photo Credit: AISES
“...it’s incredible to come around full circle and help develop this new concept of Indigenizing technical curricula, and how you do that in a deep and meaningful way.”
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In academia Burgart has been instrumental in Indigenizing the pipeline curricula at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, where she has been a contract instructor for the last 12 years. “I attended SAIT over 20 years ago as a single mom, as a chemical engineering student, so it’s incredible to come around full circle
and help develop this new concept of Indigenizing technical curricula, and how you do that in a deep and meaningful way,” said Burgart. The enhanced curriculum is now fully integrated, and it is the curricula that SAIT will use for everyone going forward. Last fall Burgart was also welcomed into the University of Calgary as their first Indigenous engineering resident, working with faculty, students and staff to bring Indigenous perspectives into their curriculum. “My focus is three-fold: presenting the “why” to faculty and non-Indigenous students as to why we are [Indigenizing curricula], creating a safe place for Indigenous students to succeed and be themselves, and create what one of my Elder advisors calls ‘an ethical space’ where western world views and Indigenous world views can work in parallel in a space of cultural safety,” said Burgart. “What I am focusing on in academia is how to create those spaces of cultural safety, and then how do we bring Indigenous perspectives to all engineering students? This is because I think there is a huge gap in that the key decision makers in development projects usually graduate with very little education or awareness of Indigenous rights and history.” Burgart is also the co-founder of IndigeSTEAM—a non-profit youth initiative that incorporates the arts, architecture and agriculture (hence the “A”) with STEM and connects Indigenous professionals, post-secondary students and youth in the spirit of mentorship and collaboration. As a mother and grandmother, Burgart is creating a legacy of strong female leadership in a largely male-dominated profession. She continues to empower young people to pursue career options in STEAM and has plans to develop virtual tools to further support other STEM professionals and aspiring Indigeneers.
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COVER STORY
Manitoba’s Newest
Litigation and Indigenous Law Firm SAY Magazine is happy to introduce Manitoba’s newest and largest Indigenous Law Firm, Cochrane Saxberg LLP. The firm is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is led by managing partner, Harold (Sonny) Cochrane, a Cree lawyer from Fisher River Cree Nation who has been practicing law for over 23 years.
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n operation since July 1, 2017, the firm’s areas of practice include Indigenous law, advocacy, litigation, employment and labour, child welfare and corporate/business law. While the firm may be new, the lawyers practicing at Cochrane Saxberg have extensive legal experience, with its founding practitioners all having formerly practiced at a major law firm in Winnipeg. Located in the city’s Exchange District, their new office space is both
welcoming and architecturally interesting, and was recently blessed by Elder Wally Chartrand. The firm’s culture is one of collegiality, respect and teamwork. Their commitment to excellence requires hard work and innovative thinking—their strength is their lawyers. Of the fifteen lawyers at Cochrane Saxberg, half are Indigenous, half are female, and three of the five partners are First Nations.
Photo Credit: Grajewski Fotograph Inc.
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COVER STORY
Mr. Harold Cochrane (Managing Partner and a member of Fisher River Cree Nation)
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Ms. Brenda Johnston (Partner and a member of Peguis First Nation)
ochrane Saxberg actively recruits, supports and promotes talented lawyers, and is committed to the continuing education of all their staff, ensuring the firm is kept abreast of current laws, policies, regulations and other developments that may affect their clients. The Firm represents First Nations, the Métis Nation, institutions (including child welfare agencies, lending institutions and employee unions), and individual clients in complex, highly contested civil cases and transactional business matters. Cochrane Saxberg professionals have been and are involved in many of the most significant and topical litigation and business law matters across Manitoba. In April 2018 Cochrane Saxberg filed a court application on behalf of six Indigenous and Métis Child and Family Services Agencies. The lawsuit concerned the Government of Manitoba’s alleged illegal claw back of millions of dollars from Indigenous agencies of the Children’s Special Allowance (CSA) funds meant to be used for Indigenous children in care. To fully
Mr. Greg Johnson (Partner and a member of Fisher River Cree Nation)
Mr. Terrance DeLaronde (Associate and a member of Skownan First Nation)
comprehend the severity of this provincial action, let’s put it in perspective: parents apply and qualify for child tax (a monthly benefit from the Government of Canada)—when children are in the care of an agency, the agency, as legal guardian, applies for the child tax called CSA. These CSA dollars must be used for the children, for their care, maintenance, education and advancement. The Province of Manitoba, however, has clawed back this money and instead placed the funds into the province’s general revenue account, in breach of the law. This illegal claw back has amounted to about $300 million. Cochrane said, “In effect, the province has been illegally balancing its books on the backs of the most vulnerable Indigenous children in the province. This is wrong. I am confident our court application to stop the province’s illegal claw back will succeed and we will positively affect the lives of thousands of Indigenous children.” Land claims are another area in which Cochrane Saxberg has extensive knowledge and expertise. The law firm is legal coun-
Interior Design by Arnott & Associates. Photo Credit: Mike Pratt Photography
Ms. Jennifer Guiboche (Associate and a citizen of the Métis Nation)
Ms. Jessica Saunders (Associate and a citizen of the Métis Nation)
sel to the Treaty 1 First Nations involved in the Kapyong Barracks negotiation with the Government of Canada—a negotiation spanning more than a decade—in which an agreement has been reached to see the return of Kapyong lands (former national defense land, spanning 158 acres within an affluent area in Winnipeg) back to Treaty 1 First Nations. “This will create Canada’s largest urban reserve, a unique development that will see real economic opportunities created for Indigenous people, for Winnipeg and for Canada,” said Cochrane. Cochrane Saxberg lawyers have played key roles in the litigation and negotiations leading to this historical deal. It’s evident the team at Cochrane Saxberg is committed to resolving the most challenging legal problems. With a diverse staff and a wealth of knowledge and experience, you can rest assured that your legal matters are in good hands with the professionals at Cochrane Saxberg. For more information visit http://cochranesaxberg.com.
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COVER STORY
Harold (Sonny) Cochrane Founding Partner at Cochrane Saxberg LLP A member of the Fisher River Cree Nation (Manitoba, Canada), Harold Cochrane practices in the areas of Indigenous law, Business law and Child Protection law. He grew up on the reserve and is still very closely connected to his First Nation. “I know what it’s like to live on a reserve. I grew up in Fisher River, I went to school there and all of my family is still there,” said Cochrane.
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ochrane believes that growing up on his reserve has given him a unique, first-hand perspective and appreciation of the issues and challenges of Indigenous people. “Any lawyer can learn the law—that’s what we are trained to do as lawyers,” said Cochrane. “But not every lawyer understands our culture and traditions or our sense of humor. This is important. Growing up and having my roots deep in my community has benefited my legal career greatly because I understand the issues first hand; I have lived them.” Prior to entering private practice, Cochrane was legal counsel at the Federal Department of Justice. He worked in the Criminal Prosecution, Tax Litigation and Aboriginal Law sections.
He provides full comprehensive legal services to a First Nation Bands, the Métis Nation, First Nation Settlement Trusts, Indigenous political organizations and Indigenous Child Protection Agencies. Cochrane continues his leadership role in the development and expansion of Indigenous Law and Child Protection Law practice groups at his law firm. He is often engaged by First Nations in land claim negotiations, self-government negotiations, Crown consultation processes, governance issues (including by-laws, election codes and membership codes), employment law and business development on First Nation territory. He also provides full legal services to First Nation settlement trusts and to Indigenous Child and Family Services agencies, regularly attending child protection and child abuse registry trials. He has appeared as counsel at Child Death Inquests and at the Phoenix Sinclair Public Inquiry. 16 | CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Presently, Cochrane is legal counsel to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation—the only First Nation in Manitoba, and in the Prairie Provinces to have negotiated a self-government agreement with Canada and Manitoba. Sioux Valley has jurisdiction over a number of areas including lands, citizenship, education, natural resources and child welfare. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation expects to soon draft and enact its own laws, prioritizing their child and family services law. “The Sioux Valley laws will be based on Dakota values, traditions and beliefs. This is exciting and ground breaking,” said Cochrane. “I will be at the table helping to draft and enact Dakota laws to replace provincial laws that have caused misery to Indigenous people including the Dakota people.” Cochrane holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manitoba and is a current board member of the United Way and past board member of the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce. He is also affiliated with various professional associations such as the Law Society of Manitoba, Manitoba Bar Association and the Canadian Bar Association. Cochrane is an entrepreneur, a multi-business owner and a prime example of someone who strives to foster a skilled Indigenous workforce, advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples. Cochrane believes balance is an important part of living a good life, and when this busy father of three is not at the office you may find him travelling or enjoying time on the water at his cottage in Northwestern Ontario.
COVER STORY
Brenda A. Johnston Partner at Cochrane Saxberg LLP Brenda Johnston, a member of the Peguis First Nation (Manitoba, Canada), practices in the areas of Indigenous law, Business law and Indigenous Child Protection law. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg and her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta, and received her call to the Manitoba Bar in 1996.
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hroughout Johnston’s practice, she has provided comprehensive legal services to Indigenous individuals, First Nation Bands, First Nation political organizations and more recently, to Indigenous Child Protection Agencies in Northern Manitoba. Johnston has developed valuable experience and knowledge in establishing various business legal structures for Indigenous clients including Indigenous-owned corporations, joint venture arrangements and limited partnerships both on and off reserve lands. She has a deep understanding of the unique lending issues that arise respecting reserve land and has developed extensive experience in addressing property and security provisions under the Indian Act, the First Nations Land Management Act, Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, and the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, including exemptions respecting seizure, garnishment and attachment.
Additionally, Johnston has valuable experience and knowledge in all aspects of reserve creation and reserve designations, including pre-reserve designations. As part of the reserve creation process, Johnston has assisted in the negotiation and drafting of the first municipal and development services agreement in Winnipeg between a First Nation and the City of Winnipeg. Johnston is currently assisting her community with the development of its municipal and development services agreement for a property in the City of Winnipeg. Johnston is also often engaged by First Nations to assist them with addressing issues under the First Nations Land Management Act, and developing and reviewing First Nation land codes, individual Transfer Agreements and Community Ratification documents. More recently, she has represented Indigenous Child Protection Agencies in Northern Manitoba at child protection docket court.
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COVER STORY
Greg A. Johnson
Partner at Cochrane Saxberg LLP A member of Fisher River Cree Nation (Manitoba, Canada), Greg Johnson focuses primarily in the area of Child Protection law and Indigenous law. He currently oversees a number of child protection agencies serving various regions within the Province of Manitoba.
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ohnson received his call to the Manitoba Bar in June of 2005 after graduating with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manitoba in 2004. Prior to law school, he attended the University of Manitoba where he received his Bachelor of Arts majoring in Native Studies with a minor in Commerce. In addition to a busy litigation practice, Johnson also assists Indigenous communities with their land claim issues, working closely with the community and their leadership. As legal counsel to child protection agencies in Manitoba, Johnson has successfully argued at all levels of court in Manitoba. Johnson provides guidance and advice on a wide range of child welfare issues including labour and employment, litigation support and advice on child welfare policy. When not practicing law, Johnson may be found undertaking other activities such as playing basketball, golf, hockey and softball. Other recreational pursuits include fishing, camping and traveling.
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SHORT TAKE
Cellphone Etiquette Have you ever considered that the presence of your smartphone may be having negative effects on your cognitive function and job productivity? Smartphones are a great resource and have quickly become an essential tool in our jobs, but constant access and notifications can affect our ability to focus. It’s a good idea to set boundaries on cellphone use in the office to ensure everyone works to the best of their abilities. Here are some possible rules:
Keep meetings cellphone-free
Face-to-face interaction is the most effective way to communicate with colleagues and clients. Have in-person meetings whenever possible, and give people your undivided attention while speaking to them, without your cellphone.
Keep it professional
Refrain from using your phone for personal matters while at work, including texting and social media. Keeping your phone off
your desk and out of sight is a great way to resist the urge to check your phone. If you have a personal call you need to take, do it on your break and outside of shared office space whenever possible.
Keep business and personal phones separate
If possible, keep a personal phone in addition to your work phone. If this is not possible, find ways to separate business and personal items. Separate the apps you need for work, and utilize phone features like Do Not Disturb and Disable Notifications to help limit distractions during work hours. Remember, every office is different, so you may need to tailor your rules to specific circumstances and individuals. Discuss office cellphone use with your team and agree on a set of guidelines that will help everyone work their best.
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SKILL DEVELOPMENT
PLATO
PLATO Testing Committed to Developing a Skilled Indigenous Workforce
Founded in June 2015, the Professional Aboriginal Testing Organization (PLATO) is committed to building a network of Indigenous software testers in communities across Canada.
C
reated by industry veteran and PQA (Professional Quality Assurance Ltd.) founder Keith McIntosh, PLATO Testing addresses the technology talent shortage in Canada, and brings meaningful training and employment to Indigenous peoples. The idea for PLATO came from when McIntosh attended a Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, where he became more aware of some of the challenges Indigenous communities face. He also met Denis Carignan, now President of PLATO Testing and member of Pasqua First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada, who had years of experience working with Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Together, the two identified a strategy around Indigenous inclusion in the Information Technology (IT) field. “The big challenge in IT in general, especially in New Brunswick, is finding enough employees,” said McIntosh. “PQA are experts in testing but struggled with finding skilled workers to deliver their programming.” (PLATO is a sister company of the Fredericton-based software company PQA.) “Businesses need work, and New Brunswick needs more contributing wage earners. With approximately 40,000 First Nations people in New Brunswick, why not increase the economic opportunity in the province, and across the country for that matter.” Currently there are three PLATO software-testing sites in New Brunswick alone. PLATO Testing offers outsourced testing to clients, which in layman’s terms means
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Keith McIntosh, founder of PQA and PLATO Testing
they test if your software works at various levels. Although it may sound simple, it involves many intricacies and a specific skill set. From testing video content and e-commerce sites, to performance testing, automation testing and security testing— they do it all. Some of these skills require a university degree; however, many of these skills simply require an aptitude, basic communication skills, a willingness to learn and quality training.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
PLATO built a six-month training course (based on the knowledge of PQA) to train Indigenous peoples as software testers, and so far the course has been offered 12 times in various locations across Canada. With over 120 participants and 36 First Nations represented thus far, the program has a success rate of 75-80% completion, from start of course to hire. To remove financial barriers, PLATO helps secure funding to cover the fees of the course for participants and offers graduates a full-time job offer upon successful completion. The PLATO training and work experience is an incredible resume builder and the springboard to endless opportunities in the IT field. “We have found that one of the barriers to employment for many Indigenous young people today, especially in rural or isolated communities, is the fact that there is no work in their area of interest,” said McIntosh. “Many youth don’t bother to graduate because there is little to no work for them, or many youth leave their community to pursue work elsewhere, taking the best, brightest and most ambitious out of the community. If we can create jobs in the community, then youth will see that there’s a real reason to stay in school and graduate so that they can get real work close to home.” He further clarified, “Young people today are so well connected digitally and so comfortable with technology; therefore, it’s important to hone those skills through IT. In IT you can work from Edmonton, testing software for a client in Ireland—the horizon becomes limitless.” The ultimate goal of PLATO is to employ 1,000 Indigenous persons in 20 offices on, or near, First Nations communities across Canada. PLATO has a commitment to have each PLATO employee become a shareholder or have a stake in the benefit of the company. The idea is that offices will be Indigenous-owned and operated, encouraging entrepreneurship and creating a positive impact in the community, while allowing workers to stay close to home. Find out more by visiting www.platotesting.com CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT | 21
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Workforce Development Pipeline Based out of Alaska, the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) is the USA’s largest tribal consortium, and is constantly facing unique challenges due to its size. With 56 member tribes making up the region, 50% of the population falls under the age of 21, and so AVCP is focusing its economic development projects towards the youth, helping its members become successful contributors to their communities. AVCP has formed a workforce development pipeline, with the goal of creating a base foundation of skills for children, leading towards successful education and effective employment as adults. Here are some of the programs and partnerships AVCP has initiated to prepare its people for success: Head Start AVCP administers Head Start, a program that promotes school readiness for children ages 0-5 from low-income families. The program focuses on preparing children for school by enhancing their cognitive, emotional and social development skills. It supports literacy, family relationships, values and the Yup’ik language. Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) AVCP partners with this program to provide travel funding for students. The program starts working with students in the 5th grade, and by participating students can earn up to 50 college credits while they’re enrolled in middle school and high school. This can
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save families the cost of one or more years in college. Other ANSEP programs like the Summer Acceleration Academy gives rural students from Alaska the opportunity to experience university for five weeks in classes facilitated by university faculty. Training and Adult Basic Education Yuut Elitnaurviat is a regional training centre that partners with AVCP to provide basic adult education and training to its community members, helping to prepare students for life after school. This program is designed to help meet specific regional needs in culturally relevant environments. Funding for Higher Education, Training and Adult Basic Education The Education, Employment, Training and Child Care (EET&CC) Department of AVCP provides scholarships to students who aspire to pursue higher education or training after graduating from high school. The program also provides parents with child care, making it easier to go to school or work without the added stress of paying for someone to watch their children.
Connecting Employers to Tribal Members AVCP also launched the Tribal Workforce Development (TWD) Department that meets with employers to learn and help identify staffing needs and facilitate successful employment. This department then collaborates with the EET&CC and Yuut Elitnaurviat to help build an effective workforce according to the specific needs of the employers. Connecting Tribal Members to Employers Overall, the TWD Department has 22 Tribal Job Centres across AVCP communities where clients can look for jobs, get help writing resumes, receive career counseling, attend workshops, take GED practice exams and access more great resources that help lead to fulfilling employment. These are some of the ways that AVCP is enabling their communities to develop by focusing on helping their people grow. These tools and practices will greatly help their young population learn confidently and succeed in life. Visit avcp.org for more information.
MUSIC
Gina Loring Hailing from Los Angeles, California, USA, poet and vocalist extraordinaire Gina Loring is a prominent activist who alchemizes sociopolitical issues into art.
A woman of African American, Eastern European, Jewish and Muscogee Creek Native American descent, Loring has been a guest artist of the American Embassy under the Obama administration and has travelled the world performing her poetry and music in over ten different countries. Loring has been featured on two De La Soul albums, appeared on two seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry and been commissioned to write poems honouring icons Quincy Jones and Prince.
With a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College and a Master of Fine Arts from Antioch University Los Angeles, she is currently pursuing a Doctorate at the University of Southern California and is a professor in the Los Angeles Community College district. In her spare time, she devotes her talents to teaching poetry workshops for incarcerated teens and youth transitioning out of sex trafficking.
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MUSIC
Juno Award Winner
“Just hearing that piano pump is a thrill, and when Murray starts to singlook out! “ - Lark Clark, Host, CKUA RadioNetwork
MURRAY PORTER
B
lues Man Murray Porter’s music career has taken him all over the world for the last 40 years. He’s a proud Mohawk man from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in southern Ontario, who now lives on Squamish Nation territory in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Murray may have a blues soul to the core, but he also grew up on rock and roll, R & B and country music. Porter’s first CD since his 2012 Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year is titled STAND UP! and reflects these early musical influences. He strongly feels this album is some of his best music to date. The new songs address many issues facing Indigenous peoples today including “No More” (Idle No More movement); “Highway 16” (Murdered & Missing Indigenous
Women & Girls); “Don’t Let Go” (suicide prevention); “The Water” (state of the water today in Indigenous communities); and “In the Same Canoe” (unity amongst all people). Whether he is playing an intimate venue for local blues fans as a solo, duo, trio or with his four-piece band, or on a festival stage to thousands of music aficionados, Porter’s love of performing comes across clear and strong. He has been compared to music greats Dr. John, Joe Cocker and even Elton John. Robbie Robertson has called Porter “a master bluesman.” He captivates audiences wherever he performs— they never leave his show disappointed. His Juno Award-winning album Songs Lived & Life Played can be heard on XM/ Sirius Satellite Radio across North America, CBC Radio, Stingray Blues on Canadian cable TV, and on Indigenous radio programs and networks across North America. It is also available on iTunes, Amazon or CD Baby. Murray Porter’s new CD STAND UP! is now available on many digital music platforms. “Murray Porter is an authentic bluesman. Just hearing that piano pump is a thrill, and when Murray starts to sing — look out! You’re hooked. His stories, told in truthful blues, are compelling.” - Lark Clark - Host, World Spinning, CKUA Radio Network (August 2016)
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MUSIC
N
ominated for an Indigenous Music Award in 2018 for Best Electronic Music Album, Davis Whitstone’s sound is a mix of high energy electronica and alternative rock. Known as Tchutchu, Whitstone is Plains Cree from Onion Lake Cree Nation (Saskatchewan, Canada).
Whitstone started making music in 2012 after hearing Sonny Moore’s (Skrillex) EP called Gypsyhook—he was hooked. Other musical influences that inspire Whitstone are the likes of ZZ Top, Rickyxsan, Josh Pan, The White Stripes, Diplo, Otis Redding, Fabian Mazur, Amy Winehouse, Aphex Twin and Nine Inch Nails, among other musical greats. After changing his alias multiple times, he chose the name Tchutchu because, as he explained, “I can’t stop making music”. Tchutchu (cū-cū) is like the boogey-man where I’m from—it intertwines my culture with my music,” said Whitstone. “For a long time I only had dreams of shape shifters and all black traditional regalia showing me how to dance, but I never could, so I made music to those steps,” said Whitstone. In an interview with Digital Drum, Whitstone explained “My rhythm comes from the steps of trick songs in men’s fancy dances, smoke dances, and sub-genres of today’s electronic dance music.” (http://digitaldrum.ca/meet-the-artist-davis-whitstone/)
lace in making music. Like many people, music is his therapy, his “good medicine”. “I put that raw energy and feel into my music,” said Whitstone. “To call music ‘therapy’ is not accurate enough. It is the mirror essence of your character—more unique than your own fingerprint. One song is the universe, and this is how I have approached music from the very beginning.”
TCH
TCHUTCHU
Whitstone went to the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has spent countless hours self-training via YouTube videos and tutorials to perfect his craft. In his spare time, he is a mentor for youth in his community and teaches kids how to make music with a computer. When he is not making music he spends time with his daughter, works on his car, and plays a great game of golf.
Whitstone’s songs are also inspired by life on the reserve and he dedicates his music to all the youth living on reserve, encouraging them to be fearless, to open up and “to be better than yesterday”. “My main focus is showing kids how easy it is to do what you love and not to hold back,” said Whitstone. “If they can learn anything from me, it’s just that the willingness to chase a dream is the first step in any path you want to create.” Whitstone has struggled with PTSD and social anxiety all of his life, but found soCAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT | 25
MUSIC
Chris Ferree North Carolina singer/songwriter Chris Ferree has become known across North America for his ethereal sound that combines Native American flute, drums and percussion in a style that he dubbed “Native American World Fusion”. In 2007 he released his first album titled Invocation, a collaboration with his longtime friend and fellow musician Brad Hord. The album was inspired by Ferree’s Cherokee heritage. Over the next seven years, Ferree continued to collaborate with Hord, and Invocation was followed by five more studio albums. Along with them came two nominations for the Native American Music Awards, two nominations for the American Music Awards and four Silver Arrow Awards for his outstanding contributions to the Native American music industry. Ferree has also
&Medicine Crow
composed music scores for several films. In 2014 Chris Ferree moved on to his next musical endeavor; he formed the band Medicine Crow, a neo-traditional Native Americana rock band that pulls from world, jazz and blues influences to create their unique sound. Toward the end of 2014, Ferree was working primarily as an individual artist, however he had begun to feel the call to perform with a band. He missed the excitement and challenge that came from working with a larger group and performing live, so he connected with high school friend and guitarist Mark Addington. The two began brainstorming new ideas and reworking some of Ferree’s past songs to turn them into arrangements suitable for a larger band. Ferree’s eldest son Bryson joined the duo on percussion, and the group began to book some gigs as the band Medicine Crow. Soon after, musician Pedro Fraginals joined the
band on electric guitar and bass, and 2015 closed out with the band having performed at several major venues and festivals. The positive reception and feedback from the audiences encouraged Ferree and his bandmates. Ferree and Fraginals began writing more songs, testing and stretching their songwriting and musical abilities. For the next two years, the band’s membership changed several times, transitioning as different local musicians filled positions, and as the group continued to experiment with their sound and arrangements. The band currently consists of musicians Chris Ferree (Vocals/Native American Flute/ Percussion), Pedro Fraginals (Acoustic Guitar/Backing Vocals), Mike Claprood (Bass), Brinkley Isaacs (Electric guitar) and Eric Kimbrell (Drums/Backing Vocals). In 2018 the band recorded their first self-titled studio album, which was released this past April.
May 13 | Gina Loring May 20 | Murray Porter May 27 | Chris Ferree and Medicine Crow June 3 | Tchutchu 26 | CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Visit us at IndigenousinMusic.com
2019 Indigenous Music Awards Nominee for Best Radio Station Program
SUBMISSION
“When done right, podcasts can help your organization build a bond of trust through analysis, insight and storytelling.”
Lifelong Learning with
Podcasting by Richard Perry
Scenario: Your organization needs a more effective way to reach a younger audience – the demographic is seemingly tethered 24/7 to their mobile devices and earbuds. To reach them, savvy marketers are turning to radio-style shows that can be consumed anywhere, anytime. “Podcasting is great marketing because, like blogging, it is a human voice,” said Christopher Penn, co-host of the Marketing over Coffee podcast. “Most podcasts don’t have a PR stamp on them, so the shows come across as being human.”
General Manager Nina Kent also sees potential. “The intimate nature of audio interviews would be ideal content,” she said. “...perfect for sharing testimonials with potential partners and donors.” When done right, podcasts can help your organization build a bond of trust through analysis, insight and storytelling. It is not, however, a medium for blatant sales pitches for your products or services.
Podcast listenership in North America has been rising steadily for the past seven years, and ideal for millennials who are using technology to explore career options.
Should on-demand audio be in your marketing mix? Go to Apple Podcasts or Google Play to listen to other shows in your niche.
It has caught the attention of the Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies at Cape Breton University.
It’s essentially free, except for minimal hosting fees and some basic equipment. The real investment is in time and planning to produce a professional show that meets the needs of your audience.
“We’re exploring a monthly show created by high school students,” said Mary Beth Doucette, who helps connect students with Indigenous mentors in the school’s In. Business program (http://www.cbuinbusiness.ca).
Richard Perry is a podcast consultant and former CBC journalist working with Indigenous organizations in Atlantic Canada. www.richardperry.ca
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TECHNOLOGY
Podcasting A Creative Outlet
Interview with seasoned podcast host, Chris Redekop
With a couple of cheap microphones and a direct line to his computer, Chris Redekop started his own podcast back in 2014. As he developed a following, he eventually picked up some high end microphones, mic stands and a multi-channel mixer and set up a home studio.
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edekop’s bi-monthly podcast focused on pop culture and the local art scene (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) and followed two formats: interviews and round table discussions. Over time Redekop switched from in-person interviews to phone interviews and discussions to facilitate the process. SAY sat down with Redekop to find out more about how someone can go about starting their own podcast. SAY Magazine: Why podcasting? Redekop: For me, it was a way to talk to people whose work I was interested in, and it was a way to promote their art form. It was a way for me to share information I’m interested in via a creative outlet. Anytime you’re creating content, you are making something out of nothing, and it does require a commitment and a passion for what you’re talking about. SAY Magazine: What types of podcasts are most popular? There are a variety of podcasts out there, from high-end radio show types that collect content over months or even years to curated documentary-style podcasts that use audio equipment to record content on location and then piece them together to create a time sensitive formal production. There are also free-form casts that resemble
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the days of talk radio with Howard Stern with open discussions and no time limit. SAY Magazine: Is podcasting a lucrative business? Redekop: It depends on how many people are paying attention to your podcast— that’s when you can start to monetize it. There are some popular podcasts out there that make money, but you have to be pretty relentless in creating content before you get a following happening. Once you get to that level of persistence and exposure, you can seek sponsorship and plug your sponsors at the front end of your podcast. SAY: What advice do you have for people interested in hosting a podcast? Redekop: If you are interested in hosting your own podcast, it is relatively inexpensive and not all that complicated. You can host a basic podcast online for next to nothing, and there are platforms that you can access for free. All you need to get started is a passion for an issue/subject, a cheap mic, a computer and some time. Redekop recently decided to shut down his podcast because of the time commitment it required but is looking forward to starting up again soon. He encourages anyone who is thinking about starting a podcast and has the gift of gab to go for it. “It’s a fun and creative experience,” said Redekop.
“Anytime you’re creating content, you are making something out of nothing, and it does require a commitment and a passion for what you’re talking about.”
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5 CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Top Five Tips Whether you are looking to start your very first career or are wanting to transition from an existing career, these tips will help you find the right job.
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for Choosing a Career
1
Find your Passion
The commonplace saying is “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. Now this saying is rather cliché and not very realistic, but it’s true that when you find something you are passionate about, you’ll enjoy working hard for it every day. Finding a role that inspires and motivates you will help you grow and become your best self.
2
Identify your Strengths
Sometimes passion and strength go hand in hand, but sometimes they don’t. If you are not passionate about anything in particular that might make a good career, a great next step is to think about what you are good at. In school, were you better with numbers or words? Do you like dealing with people or do you work better alone? Aptitude tests are a great way to take questions like these and use them to find career options.
3
Try an Internship
Internships are valuable option if you are just starting out in a field. They help you gain experience and standing in a company, and also potentially find a mentor who inspires you. Many secondary programs now include internships as part of the curriculum to help students receive real-world experience and test drive the careers they are pursuing.
4
Shop Around
We know there are so many careers options out there, but sometimes it’s easy to zero in on the standard options of teacher, doctor, nurse, etc. Don’t be afraid to expand your search if you aren’t finding a career that appeals to you. Google career lists, browse connections on LinkedIn, or crowdsource via friends and family. Crowdsourcing in particular is a great way to discover new careers you may never thought of, and also of identify connections that can help you access that field.
5
Think about the Future
Most people look at careers as longterm endeavours, so it’s important to think about where you want to go in a career and what stepping stones you will need to take to get there. For example, if you want to be a principal, you will first need to be a teacher. Thinking about education, experience and any other factors that apply to both short and long-term goals will help you be more successful in your final career choice.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS OF CHOOSING A CAREER?
SAY Supporters Weigh In “Understand the power and value of your lived experience, regardless of your age. You have knowledge and insights that can only be gained through navigating the world as an Indigenous person. In today’s society, that knowledge can be as valuable to employers as a PhD or MBA. Choose a career that embraces your unique lived experience and will empower you to act on it. It will not only help to support your own success, but will allow you to create meaningful change in the process.” - Paul Robitaille, Manager, Indigenous and Youth Relations, Sustainable Forestry Initiative “My best advice for young people navigating their career is twofold: first, ask a bunch of people, whose opinion you respect, what they think you’re good at, what they see as your strengths and what they notice you doing when you’re really excited or interested. Analyze their feedback and turn it into a compelling story so that you will be able to describe what feeds your soul. Second, negotiate for something better—a better wage, better access to technology, a better environment—because the ability to influence and persuade is essential for the future of work, and not enough young people, especially racialized youth and females, negotiate.” - John Horn, Chair, CERIC, Advancing Career Development in Canada (www.ceric.ca) “Look at entering the trades. With an estimated shortfall of over forty thousand thousand workers in the next 5-10 years there will be ample opportunities. An electrician or plumber after four years of work will currently make close to $100k per year if working full-time. Couple that with no student debt and it’s a recipe for a successful life.” - Christopher Henry, Business Development, Wescan Construction Services “To make a meaningful career decision, you have to be actively involved in the process. Volunteering, job shadowing, working part-time, talking to people in different fields— these are actions that can help you go from thinking about career possibilities to finding the one you want.” - Marnie Groeneveld, Senior Manager, Career Development Services, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
“Follow your passion.” - Daniel Charbonneau, Senior Manager Indigenous Relations, Hydro One
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LITERARY PROFILE
Smokii Sumac
S
mokii Sumac is a writer, academic and proud member of the Ktunaxa Nation, who grew up in Invermere, British Columbia, Canada.
Sumac is a PhD Candidate in Indigenous Studies at Trent University where his research centres on “coming home” stories as an adoptee and two-spirit person. Sumac identifies as queer, transmasculine, Two-Spirit, a poet, an uncle, an auntie and a cat person. His work has been published in Write Magazine and under his former name in Canadian Literature, Aanikoobijigan//Waawaashkeshi. You can also find his work on coffee sleeves in local Peterborough coffee shops as one of the Artweek contest winners from the 2014 #eCityLit event. Sumac currently shares his time between Nogojiwanong (Peterborough, Ontario) and Ithaca (New York, USA), where he likes to go to the movies with his family and cuddle with their dog Smudge. SAY is pleased to share “ka paǂkinin̓tik (there are things our women have taught me)”—an excerpt from Sumac’s debut poetry collection you are enough: love poems for the end of the world, a labour of love two years in the making. In keeping with the theme of this issue, this compilation of poetry is a demonstration of successfully turning one’s passion and experience into a profession. The collection takes readers through an emotional journey as Sumac shares his experiences of being an Indigenous person in Canada, shares reflections on consent, sex and gender, and introduces the “people and places he has loved and learned from”. “Through it all, [Sumac] helps us all come to know that we are enough, just as we are.” (smokiisumac.com)
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LITERARY ART
ka paǂkinin̓tik or
1. give generously without worrying wheremore will come from; 2. laugh deep and hard with each other more than you cry; 3. learn everything you can and teach it freely; 4. know where you are going and go all the way—get the doctoral degree, get on council, hell, don’t stop there, you can be nasukin— you can lead your nation; 5. speak softly walk gently rock your babies to sleep; 6. raise your voice in song or anger—never be silent in the face of injustice; 7. feed everyone, including yourself; 8. light the fires, call in the drums, join hands—you never know when you’ll need a friend—honour your relations; 9. share the good stories alongside the tough ones—share whatever story feels right, from the you light up my lifes to the ain’t it awfuls, and especially the sexy ones—on that note; 10. fall in love and celebrate every orgasm; 11. hold your loved ones close and breathe in the scent of them; 12. grieve loss as deeply as you love, without shame or fear; 13. carry the hearts of your sisters your grandmothers your daughters born or yet to come your aunties and nieces and cousins—carry them in your heart; 14. keep going. This is not the end.
Photo Credit: Sweetmoon Photography
there are things our women have taught me:
Poem by Smokii Sumac, you are enough: love poems for the end of the world
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ENTERTAINMENT
Former Police Officer Creates
Tribal Police Files TV Series Steve Sxwithul’txw, producer and director of the Tribal Police Files TV series on APTN, knows what he’s talking about. As a former police officer from British Columbia, Canada, Sxwithul’txw has a unique perspective and unprecedented access to the community of the Chippewa of Rama First Nation, an hour north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
T
he second season, with 13 half-hour episodes, takes viewers into the heart-stopping and challenging world of tribal police officers with the Rama Police Service. The series follows the officers as they put their lives on the line to keep their communities safe, healthy and proud. Tribal Police Files has also been translated into Ojibway, the traditional language of the Chippewa community.
“Working in a proud and progressive community, we are extremely excited to have the opportunity to showcase our Indigenous police service through the lens of the show, Tribal Police Files,” said Inspector Tom Batisse. “The viewers will have an opportunity to see firsthand the great work and dedication of those officers working for the Rama Police.” Sxwithul’txw’s company Kwassen Productions Inc. also produced the Leo Award-winning TV series Warrior Games. “The partnership created working with the Rama Police Service has been very special,” said Sxwithul’txw. “Our production crew and these fine police officers forged a bond due to their extreme professionalism throughout the shoot. The Elders and community were a pleasure to be around.”
Photo credit: Lindsay Sarazin
The second season of Tribal Police Files premieres on APTN this spring. Ojibway episodes start May 7, 2019, on aptn n. English episodes start May 18, 2019, on aptn hd, aptn e and aptn w. Check your local listings for more information or visit www.tribalpolicefiles.com, www.facebook.com/tribalpolicefiles and www.instagram.com/tribalpolicefiles 34 | CAREER & SKILL DEVELOPMENT
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