Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015 WHAT'S INSIDE:
Notley applauded for move to implement UNDRIP
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Page 3 Action ramps up to get out the Indigenous vote Page 4
THE ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER OF ALBERTA
AUGUST 2015 VOLUME 22 • NUMBER 9
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PHOTO: SANDRA CROWFOOT
Thousands flock to annual pilgrimage
Father Sylvain Lavoie stands among the people during the Blessing of the Lake on July 19. The weather was perfect for the annual Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage, which attracted thousands of people from July 18-23.
First Nation wants environmental test results from Nexen By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor FORT McMURRAY FIRST NATION
The Fort McMurray First Nation is requesting the raw data collected from one of Alberta’s largest oil spills in its traditional territory. “There’s concern about the environmental impact. (Nexen Energy) has given us access to the site, we’ve been looking at it, but lately, we’ve requested the raw testing data so we can look over it ourselves,” said Councillor Byron Bates. That data has not been forthcoming. “We’re considering sending our own team of testers in to do the testing.” A contractor discovered the spill on July 15 at Nexen Energy’s Long Lake oilsands project. The pipeline was shut in immediately. About five million litres of bitumen, sand and produced water covered a 16,000-square metre area. Most of the leak was within the pipeline right of way and was contained on the site because of remnants of berms that were created for construction. “The leak has been stabilized, the pipeline shut down, there is control in place,” said Ron Bailey, Nexen’s senior vice-president of
Canadian operations, in a news conference two days after the incident. “We’re looking to minimize the environmental damage and working on site clean-up.” The failsafe systems on the line designed to detect the spill did not work. Company officials say the line may have been leaking for up to two weeks. No other visual leaks have been found. The double layered pipeline was put in the ground in 2014 and started operating in the fourth quarter last year. “We are deeply concerned with this and we…sincerely apologize for the impact that this has caused. We will take every step that we see as reasonable and as the regulators help us decide what to do to respond to this,” said Bailey. Bates lives in one of the 100 residences located 10 km from the spill. “I smelled it once outside my place. Friday morning (July 17) I was on the roof to fix my satellite because we were watching the news and I caught a whiff of it,” he said. Bates says it took five to six hours for his First Nation to be notified via email by the Alberta Emergency
Management Agency of the spill. Nexen contacted the Alberta Energy Regulator first as is required. “A spill that size, they should have been on the phone to our First Nations right away,” said Bates. “Who knows how the air quality is going to affect us?” Nexen corporate communications manager Diane Kossman says the company notified Fort McMurray First Nation, Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation, leadership in the community of Anzac, as well as two parties with trap lines that run across the land in close proximity to the release, “within hours of the discovery of the spill.” The spill area, which is on traditional land, also impacts Heart Lake First Nation. Ryan Bartlett, public affairs spokesman with AER, says AER has been in contact with all three First Nations as well as several Métis communities in the area. In an email response, Kossman said, “We’ve been taking a very proactive, collaborative approach with our closest neighbours. They have been very generous with their time, sharing their traditional
knowledge, familiarity and understanding of the land and environment as they support us with clean-up efforts.” Bates says he is pleased with the daily emails and communication that is running between the First Nation and the company and the First Nation has a representative on site regularly. Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd and Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips accompanied Bates on his second visit to the site on July 24. Nexen and AER officials were also in attendance. “Spills like this are unacceptable,” said McCuaigBoyd in a statement issued after the site visitation. “We all want to know that when an incident like this happens, not only is it contained and cleaned up, but every possible effort is made to find out what went wrong and fix it; prevent it from happening again here or anywhere else in Alberta.” Immediately following notification of the spill, the AER issued a four-point environmental protection order to Nexen, which included containing the spill; notifying impacted parties; developing a remediation plan; and
publishing daily reports on the Nexen website. Bartlett says Nexen has not offered a time frame as to when clean-up of the site is expected to be completed. “More important than having a time frame, they want to make sure it’s done correctly and that’s what we want as well,” said Bartlett. “They’re a significant amount of time (away) from operating any line in that area.” CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL # 40063755
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ALBERTA NEWS delta, part of their traditional land. They held that the delta had been devastated by drastically lowered water levels since the construction of the WAC Bennett dam in the 1960s. The two nations filed suit in November 2014. Jeff Langlois, of JFK Law Corporation, which represents the two First Nations, said Hydro has agreed to partner with ACFN and MCN to monitor the dam’s impact on the delta, and adjust its operations and water flows if adverse effects are found.
NSD sees result in literacy strategy
PHOTO: PAULA E. KIRMAN
Hate to Hope movement grows Red Deer-Lacombe NDP candidate hopeful Katherine Anne Swampy speaks on the steps of the provincial legislature during the fourth annual Hate to Hope march which took place Aug. 2. She is joined by Edmonton-Manning NDP candidate Aaron Paquette (directly behind her). The movement was started by Chevi Rabbit (second from right, front row), from the Montana First Nation and at the time a student at the University of Alberta, who was the object of a verbal and physical homophobic attack in July 2012 in the Strathcona area in Edmonton. In 2014, Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis presented Rabbitt with the 2014 Hate Crime Awareness Youth Award, from the Alberta Hate Crime Committee.
Second set of remains identified alongside Brower home a short while later. On July 28, the RCMP announced that they had found the remains of Corrie Renee Ottenbreit along with the remains of Delores Brower. Brower was discovered April 19, 2015, near Leduc. Ottenbreit had been the subject of a missing person’s investigation since July 2004. Her death is considered a homicide and the investigation falls under the RCMP Historical Homicide Unit as well as KARE. Ottenbreit, 27, lived in Edmonton and was a known sex-trade worker in northeast Edmonton. Brower’s and Ottenbreit’s remains were found within a five mile radius of where the remains of Katie Sylvia Ballantyne were found in July 2003 and the remains of Amber Tuccaro were found in September 2012. Insp. Stacey Talbot, of the Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch, says as the remains of the four women were found within eight kilometres of each other, police may be dealing with a serial predator.
Saskatchewan fire evacuees bussed to Cold Lake Cold Lake First Nation and the city of Cold Lake aided evacuees, who were forced from their northern Saskatchewan homes due to wildfires in early July. More than 1,000 evacuees from La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band were bussed to Cold Lake, where they were housed in the local recreation facility and provided for by Red Cross. Cold Lake First Nation community members brought First Nation evacuees to their community providing freshly cooked traditional foods like moose meat, fish and bannock. Wildrose Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr applauded both Cold Lake First Nation and the city of Cold Lake for doing “an incredible job setting up accommodations, showing hospitality and providing strength during these difficult circumstances.”
Court proceeding to challenge FNFTA Alexis wins NDP federal nomination Cameron Alexis, former Alberta Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, won the NDP nomination battle on Aug. 6 for the federal riding of Peace River– Westlock. Alexis said he was approached by a number of parties to consider running, but chose the NDP because of its track record on Aboriginal issues. “We have to participate in order to affect change,” Alexis told APTN. “I’m asking First Nations and Indigenous people to step up, stand up and be counted. We have to make a difference otherwise we’ll be continued to be dictated to and unable to participate in how this country operates.” To date, there are three Indigenous candidates running under the NDP banner in Alberta.
Wildfires force more evacuations North Tallcree First Nation was forced to declare a local state of emergency on July 2 as a 5,800-hectare wildfire burned 10 km west of the community. Firefighters prevented the fire from entering the community by bulldozing a 20 km long fireguard. Approximately 200 residents were forced from their homes on July 2 and heavy smoke in the area closed Highway 88. Evacuees stayed in High Level. The fire grew in size and came to within three kilometres of the townsite. As slower wind speeds and temperatures prevailed, the fire burned south and southwest, away from the community. On July 7, the evacuation notice was lifted and residents returned home. Another 118 residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure from Meander River on July 2. They also returned
Sawridge First Nation and Onion Lake Cree Nation have requested that court proceedings initiated by the federal government be delayed. Their arguments will be heard in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench on Aug. 19 and 20. In a notice of application to federal court, the government said that eight First Nations failed or refused to comply with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, which came into effect in 2013, despite ample time and “repeated demands” by the minister of Aboriginal affairs. Sawridge First Nation and Onion Lake Cree Nation are among those that have not complied. The court application by the two First Nations questions the legality of the FNFTA, claiming it violates treaty and Aboriginal rights as well as sections of the Constitution that ban discrimination and entrench the rights of Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt said that noncompliance will result in the loss of funding for nonessential services effective Sept. 1, 2015.
ACFN, MCN receive commitment from BC Hydro The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation dropped their legal challenge on July 16 against the Site C dam after receiving a commitment from BC Hydro to monitor the dam’s downstream impacts. The case was to begin in federal court July 20. The two First Nations had filed suit against BC Hydro and the federal government over approval of the $8.8-billion dam on the Peace River. The bands argued an environmental review of the project did not consider downstream impacts on the Peace Athabasca
Northland School Division is reporting results three years into its division-wide literacy initiative. Gail Sajo, literacy supervisor, told the board at the end of June that both long-term and short-term student growth has occurred. Since October 2013, the number of students reading at grade level in Grades 1-8 has increased by 19 per cent. Sajo said, “We are pleased to see a large majority of students are achieving a year’s growth or more when it comes to reading comprehension.” Superintendent Donna Barrett said the division goal of 10 per cent increase in the number of students reading at grade level from June 2014 to June 2015 was not met, but there was a steady growth from year one to three.
Partnership to grow Siksika businesses A partnership between Siksika First Nation, the province, and the Indian Business Corporation, will see the distribution of $2.7 million in loans to create and develop business opportunities for members on and off the reserve. The First Nation will contribute $2 million and the province $700,000 while IBC will oversee the distribution of the funds. “We have the willingness, the capacity and means to move forward in helping them develop their own economic entrepreneurship,” said Siksika Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman at a news conference announcing the deal. Aboriginal relations minister Kathleen Ganley said there are more businesses owned by Indigenous people today than ever before. IBC, which is owned by all First Nations in Alberta, provides business loans ranging from $5,000 to $800,000, with the average about $80,000.
Government to review addiction, mental health system Following the auditor general’s report, Health Minister Sarah Hoffman has appointed MLAs David Swann and Danielle Larivee to undertake a full-scale review of Alberta’s addiction and mental health system. Auditor General Merwan Saher said that the department had failed to properly execute its 2011 addiction and mental health strategy. He said the strategy did not have to be redesigned, but instead carried out. For the most part, the report said, the delivery of frontline addiction and mental health services remained unintegrated and allowed ongoing gaps in service continuity. “In our opinion, based on the evidence we have from this and other recent audits of healthcare service delivery, AHS has both the mandate and capacity to coordinate the efforts of those entities that should be involved in integrating public mental health and addictions services,” said the report. Mental illness affects one in five Albertans during their lifetime.
Education, nursing students can get start at Onion Lake The University of Saskatchewan’s Colleges of Education and Nursing have signed a memorandum of understanding with Onion Lake Cree Nation to create additional opportunities for potential postsecondary students to learn where they live. The agreement gives Onion Lake students the option of entering into either education or nursing, or completing prerequisites for other health sciences in Onion Lake through the support of the already established Indian Education Teaching Program, run by the College of Education.
Compiled by Shari Narine
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NEWS
Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
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Notley applauded for move to implement UNDRIP By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor EDMONTON
In a move that has been applauded by First Nations leaders, NDP Premier Rachel Notley has directed her Cabinet ministers to “conduct a review …of your ministry’s policies, programs and legislation that may require changes based on the principles of the (United Nations) Declaration (on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” “It’s good that they’re doing that,” said Craig Mackinaw, new Alberta Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. “We’ve been talking about it for years now. I’m glad that finally somebody is following up on it.” In a letter to her colleagues, dated July 7, Notley wrote “our task will be to engage directly with Indigenous people….” She instructed that “engagement
tables” be held, with all three Treaty areas that comprise Alberta, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Settlements General Council. Kathleen Ganley, minister of Aboriginal relations, was appointed to coordinate departmental reviews as well as ideas for implementation submissions, to be presented by Feb. 1, 2016. Mackinaw said it is vital that Indigenous people be consulted, something that the previous provincial government came under constant criticism over. First Nations held that the Conservative government held meetings, but did not listen to representatives. True consultation, says Mackinaw, will send a “good working relationship” message. “I know Treaty 6 Chiefs want to sit down with their (Cabinet) ministers while (Cabinet is)
reviewing the UN Declaration and get some input from (the Chiefs). I’m hoping (the government does) follow up with that with the Chiefs,” said Mackinaw. On election night, Notley’s victory speech included committing to a stronger, better relationship with the province’s Indigenous peoples. “(Her action now) shows that she’s trying to get a better relationship with us moving forward,” said Mackinaw. It’s a lead, he says, the other provinces should follow, although he expects it will take time for the other premiers to take the same steps. “(If the provinces follow) it would make things better for everybody and then in turn, work on the federal government to look at changing how they’ve been approaching it,” said Mackinaw. He is hopeful that
the results of the upcoming federal election will make the Prime Minister more agreeable to a change in relations with Aboriginal peoples. AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde also urged the provinces and the federal government to commit to the implementation of the UN Declaration. Speaking at the close of the AFN’s annual general assembly in Haudenosaunee territory on July 9, Bellegarde called Alberta’s move “an historic and monumental step forward to take concrete and comprehensive action to respect and realize the fundamental human rights of Indigenous peoples.” In her letter, Notley said, “In considering the objectives of the UN Declaration, our approach will be based on the principle that the bounty of Alberta’s
resources must be shared by all Albertans.” Bellegarde says Notley’s emphasis of sharing the resources is important and answers the call for reconciliation. “She highlighted that Indigenous peoples must benefit both from the development of natural resources in the province and conservation of the environment. She stressed that the air, land, and water that we all rely on must be protected,” he said. Mackinaw is hopeful that Notley’s directive is more than lip service. “It’s just a matter of waiting to see how things work out,” he said. “Now is a good time to sit down and discuss the issues and hopefully moving forward, between now and the next six or seven months, we can do that.”
Title of honourary witness acknowledges work already undertaken by Sainte-Marie By Paula E. Kirman Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON
Buffy Sainte-Marie was named an honourary witness by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which wrapped up in early June in Ottawa. However, speaking truths about social issues that are ignored or covered up is nothing new to the legendary singer/songwriter. “It’s really a two-way thing,” she said of being named an honourary witness. “One, I am very much honoured to have my own work in this area acknowledged because 50 years ago I was already talking about genocide and there weren’t many people who would talk about the Native American genocide. On the other hand I am really grateful there are other people who have taken on the issue and hopefully are making the facts clear to those Canadians who have never had the chance to know what happened.” Now 74 and still actively recording and touring as part of a career which spans five decades, Sainte-Marie continues her truth-telling on her new album Power in the Blood, released earlier this year.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Buffy Sainte-Marie in concert
It contains a number of songs she often performs live, but are not readily available elsewhere, such as a revamped version of “It’s My Way” off one of her first albums in the ‘60s, to a couple of songs that were originally recorded during the blacklist era of the ‘70s and
subsequently repressed (“Not the Loving Kind” and “Generation”). She was in Alberta in late July performing at the Calgary Folk Festival and Edmonton’s Interstellar Rodeo. “Good songs stay good, but the marketplace would like you think that as hemlines change -
you’re stupid if you have last year’s hemline - there seems to be the same marketing strategies that would make you think that whatever was great yesterday is not going to be great today or tomorrow. But that’s not true. Bach is still good, Beethoven is still good,
Bob Dylan is still good, some of my songs are still good, some of other people’s songs are still good. I just think great songs stay great and if audiences are still asking for them that ought to tell us something.” Sainte-Marie views exposing the truth about Native American history to be an important part of her career, both in front of and away from the microphone. She discusses these issues at every concert and on her albums, and she teaches at several different universities in the area of Native Studies. “As a songwriter and as a creative person, when I deal with difficult historical issues that have been covered up, I don’t see it as a combative stance, I see it as a gift that I am giving to everybody, from college teachers who have been mis-educated and who want to know, to average citizens, who are just a little bit curious or maybe want to make great changes in the way we treat each other as we move forward into the future.” Said Sainte-Marie, “The good news about the bad news is that more people can see the issue clearly, and that really is good news.”
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NEWS
Mikisew push for “in danger” designation to protect park By Julie MacIsaac Sweetgrass Writer MIKISEW CREE FIRST NATION
The Mikisew Cree First Nation is asking the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to classify Wood Buffalo National Park as a World Heritage Site “in danger.” “We felt we’d exhausted all the ways to voice our concerns (provincially and federally) and then we found out about the UNESCO process and felt it was an important enough issue to pursue,” said Melody Lepine, director of industry and government relations and the face of the Mikisew delegation to UNESCO this summer in Bonn, Germany. In 1983, UNESCO identified the park as a World Heritage Site, in part because it contains the world’s largest freshwater delta, at the mouth of the Peace and Athabasca rivers. It is this vitally important watershed that the Mikisew are attempting to
protect. Currently, 48 World Heritage Sites have been identified as in danger because of newly introduced natural or manmade factors. “We’ve been raising the issue of water quality and flow in the Athabasca and Peace rivers for years,” said Lepine. According to the petition lodged by the Mikisew, the park is facing unprecedented and immediate ecological threats from multiple sources. Hydroelectric dams located on the Peace River in B.C. have impacted the amount and flow of water to the delta, which in turn endangers the delicate ecological systems located in and along the watershed. There are already three existing dams on the Peace and one slated to start construction this summer—B.C. Hydro’s Site C dam. In addition, the booming industrial development in Alberta’s oil sands to the south of the park brings with it changes to water quality and chemistry. The Mikisew cited the proposed Frontier Oil Sands mine near the
Wood Buffalo park border as another possible source of water contamination in the delta. “These cumulative and downstream effects, all of these things add up to impact water quantity and quality. The problem for us is that a lot of these activities are happening outside of the park, making them very difficult for us to address,” said Lepine. After meeting with Lepine and considering the petition, UNESCO expressed concern for the environmental impacts being experienced at the park and issued a draft decision, asking the Canadian government to undertake a strategic environmental assessment and report back to UNESCO by Dec. 1, 2016. UNESCO has also requested that Canada host an independent monitoring group from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to review the impact of developments on the property, evaluate the current state of conservation, and See Mikisew on page 11.
~ Established December 1993 ~ ISSN #1199-6773 • Canadian Publication Mail # 40063755 Published monthly by the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA)
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Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
NEWS
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B I N G O B A S H E S Action ramps up to get out the By Anna Giles - Radio Bingo Manager st
On Sunday, May 31 we started the road trip through Northern Alberta. We first travelled to Peace River via Joussard to check on the radio static that Gift Lake was experiencing on Thursday. Monday, we stopped in Dixonville and met Brenda - owner of Dixonville General Store, stopped in Manning and Keg River. In Paddle Prairie Roland (CFWE radio technician) installed new satellite receiver and transmitter for the community. Then headed to Beaver First Nation and hosted a Bingo Bash at the Child Lake Community Centre. Yvonne said “I never thought that CFWE Bingo would come out here”. We had a great turn out with 26 people attending the Bingo Bash, and everybody had a fun time. Most of Tuesday was spent with Sid from Bushe River, as Roland installed new equipment in Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh. I met the husband and wife team running the store in Chateh. The new owners are from Korea and stated “that it took a while to get used to working in Chateh as it was frightening in the beginning”. I was glad to hear that they live in the back of the store when they are working and have an apartment in High Level. While Roland was changing equipment in Bushe I was able to spend some time in the store with the employees and people who were stopping to pay for their goods they bought. Wednesday was a full day travelling from High Level to John D’or. The road from John D’or to the barge was very rough with mounds of dirt and huge rocks on it. It’s been very dry in Northern Alberta, and because it took us longer than expected on the dirt road we missed the last barge before the crew’s lunch break. We had to wait an hour and a half for the next one. I spend some time at the Northern Store with Mark and hand delivered a document to our previous seller Evelyn from John’s Convenience. Thursday travelled from High Level to John D’or and Garden River. Roland installed new equipment while I spent the time in the stores talking to the sellers and bingo players from the community. On our way back to High Level we stopped at the Cha Gas Bar and talked to Rickie. He was so nice that he bought our water for us. Friday was a very long day as we travelled to Beaver First Nation to change equipment, stopped in Fort Vermilion to visit with Martin at the new Pioneer PharmaSave location. From there we drove to North Tallcree and South Tallcree where Roland installed new equipment. Thank goodness we arrived at the school before it closed. At 3:30 pm Roland drove south bound on highway 88 via Red Earth Creek, Slave Lake and back to Edmonton.
Bingo Bash in Child Lake
Martin – Owner of Pioneer PharmaSave
Indigenous vote By Andrea Smith Sweetgrass Writer LETHBRIDGE
Two young Lethbridge women are helping strengthen the Aboriginal voice through voting. Mairin Gettman and Kristin Krein—both students at the University of Lethbridge— have been coordinating special events to share knowledge about politics in Canada with Indigenous people who might otherwise be lacking in it. “We’re not doing it so people vote, I really don’t care if you vote. But we’re doing it to empower people’s voices… To ensure that we have a platform for people if they want to learn,” said Krein. Krein and Gettman got together back in December after realizing the importance politics plays in funding for resources for Aboriginal people. Krein, who has worked at the Women’s Space Resource Centre for over three years, says she sees a huge number of Aboriginal women come through the door that are too “beaten down” to be involved in the political scene. “Ninety-five per cent of our clientele is Indigenous… and have been told their entire lives they are worth nothing because of the colour of their skin. We just wanted to have a space
where people could voice their opinions and know their vote mattered,” she said. Krein and Gettman have planned four events, two of which have already taken place. At the end of July, Lori Brayback, co-founder of Lethbridge Idle No More, spoke at the Galt Garden. In mid-May, the Sik-Ooh-Katok Friendship Centre hosted the initial event, offering free Indian tacos to 200 people, but ran out before they could get to everyone. Local Members of Parliament were invited but only the NDP showed up. “It really speaks volumes when your presence is there… or not there,” said Gettman of the snub she felt they received by the other parties. At the initial event, attendees filled out a card with their contact information and suggested one issue they would like to see the federal government address. The response made it clear that people felt disconnected from the political process. “They feel like they aren’t being heard,” said Krein. “They want to be heard through the media, a lot of people wanted the missing and murdered women enquiries, and some wanted better environmental protection. A lot of people wanted better services.” So far, feedback for the events has been positive.
Gettman and Krein say they reached out to other Aboriginal organizations around Lethbridge, to ensure they were being inclusive of Aboriginal people in the area. “We wanted to really make sure what Kristin and I were doing, wasn’t just (us) being the gatekeepers, and that we were respecting the Indigenous culture,” added Krein. LeeAnne Sharp Adze, program manager for the friendship centre, says the work the two women are doing is important. The “ID clinics” Gettman and Krein hold to coach people on the types of identification they need to vote and how to get it are important. But Indigenous voters are also struggling with transportation issues and not having a permanent address. “We need that representation from our people to have their vote in there, and change the government that is in right now,” said Sharp Adze, who adds as that as the friendship centre is a central meeting place for Indigenous people all over the city, it is important for the centre to become involved with the cause. “There’s a lot of young people that didn’t know anything about it, and a lot of old people that wouldn’t waste their time to go… so they need to know their voice makes a difference,” said Sharp Adze.
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EDMONTON Aboriginal garden to be a community gathering place
PHOTO: SHARI NARINE
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson (right) watches on as Doug Goss and Audrey Poitras sign an agreement which commits Fort Edmonton Park to providing an accurate account of the Métis story.
MNA, Fort Edmonton Park sign agreement Métis Nation of Alberta president Audrey Poitras and Fort Edmonton Management Company board chair Doug Goss signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation on Aug. 7 that represents a significant step forward between the MNA and the park. The MOU commits the two organizations to working together in the spirit of reconciliation by creating and delivering authentic, historically accurate and engaging programming about the Métis at Fort Edmonton Park. In January, the park entered into a similar memorandum of understanding with the Confederacy of Treaty 6 Nations, committing to the accurate telling of the First Nations story. In a survey commissioned by Alberta Venture earlier this year to identify organizations in Alberta that have earned the respect of both the business community and consumers, Fort Edmonton Park ranked first among Edmonton attractions and is part of the top 25 most reputable businesses overall. The survey included 1,500 consumers and business people.
Contest-created art pieces to be exchanged on Treaty Six Recognition Day Two art pieces created by residents of Alberta’s Treaty Six territory will be exchanged as gifts between the Grand Chief and the Edmonton mayor as a symbol of their shared commitment to nationto-nation collaboration, goodwill and respect. The exchange will take place as part of the 2015 Treaty Six Recognition Day on Aug. 21. The art pieces, entered as part of an art contest, reflect the theme, “Reconciliation: We are all Treaty 6 People.” The contest encouraged residents of all skills and abilities to express their ideas on what reconciliation means to them. In addition, the chosen artists receive $500 each. The artworks will be displayed at the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations office and at City Hall. Treaty Six Recognition Day, created in 2013, acknowledges Edmonton’s connection with the First Peoples of the land.
U of A to use artwork for curriculum study The faculty of Native studies at the University of Alberta is looking for an Indigenous artist or group of Indigenous artists to create four to six original works to be purchased for use as backgrounds and associated merchandise for the massive online open course that is being developed. Artists have until Sept. 15 to submit their work. The curriculum and stories to be included in the art work have been provided. Each illustration will incorporate a scene that depicts several important ideas/facts/events all at once. These highly detailed illustrations (which could be in the form of paintings, drawings, digital, or multimedia) will be used as overall backgrounds for ‘green-screened’ video lecture presenters, as well as the smaller detailed scenes of historical periods pulled out to teach the course, Indigenous Canada, which is set to launch in September 2016.
PHOTO: PAULA E. KIRMAN
(From left): Inspector Dan Jones (Edmonton Police Service); Francis Whiskeyjack (local Cree Elder); Cliff Higuchi (VP and general manager, Shaw Conference Centre); and Rob Houle (supervisor, Aboriginal relations office, City of Edmonton) plant a cedar tree in the Medicine Wheel Garden.
By Paula E. Kirman Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON
The Shaw Conference Centre has created a place on its property intended for people to meet, share, and connect. The Community Medicine Wheel Garden was officially unveiled on June 18. Located on the rooftop of the Riverview Room, the garden overlooks Edmonton’s river valley. It was created with the guidance of local Cree Elder Francis Whiskeyjack, and features four sections within a circular shape filled with specially-chosen plants and flowers. The medicine wheel is a powerful symbol of Aboriginal culture, often a part of sacred rituals, ceremonies, and blessings. “The story begins with local community builders like Lewis Cardinal, reminding us that we’re a part of a river valley location that has been a gathering place for Indigenous
people for thousands of years. We realized that our convention centre, a modern-day gathering place, provides us with an opportunity to help re-connect to the history and spirit of this special place we now call Edmonton,” said Lisanne Lewis, director of business and community development with the Shaw Conference Centre. “The importance of having a garden like this here really reflects who we are as a building and as a community,” said Cliff Higuchi, outgoing vice president and general manager at the conference centre. “If we go back and look at the origins of why this community exists in the first place, the First Peoples used this area as a gathering spot. That reflects on what we do in today’s sense in that we are the building that facilitates gatherings.” “The medicine wheel in itself holds many teachings. The way it is circular, for instance, is the way we travels in life’s path and
how we honour that cycle of life,” said Whiskeyjack to the audience during the unveiling. The physical creation of the garden was done in two stages. A designer worked on a permaculture design as a master plan for the whole building, then a contractor built the garden as per the specifications in the plan. The City of Edmonton was also involved to a large extent. “We remain inspired by the City of Edmonton’s commitment to build good relationships with Indigenous people in the spirit and intent of Edmonton’s Urban Aboriginal Accord,” said Lewis. “We’re also very fortunate to always have guidance and support from the City of Edmonton’s Aboriginal relations office. They continuously assist us in connecting with leaders in the Indigenous community and ensuring our initiatives act as community capacity builders.” See Aboriginal on page 11.
CALGARY
Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
7
Calgary takes steps to implement TRC recommendations
PHOTO: DARLENE CHRAPKO
Aboriginal Day celebrated in style (From left) former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, arena director Scott WolfLeg, and Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Aboriginal Relations, address the crowd at Aboriginal Day celebrations in Calgary.
Bellegarde addresses Calgary business community
PHOTO: DARLENE CHRAPKO
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi (far left) waits to address the crowd at the opening ceremonies of Aboriginal Awareness Week.
By Darlene Chrapko Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY
When Coun. Brian Pincott stood up to bear witness at Words & Actions: A Roundtable Discussion of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Indigenous Women’s Rights at Mount Royal University earlier this year, he spoke powerfully. “We will carry your pain, share your pain, take some of your pain away and move forward. We have to. It’s as simple as that,” he said. “By not being silent, we will do our best to honour you.” His commitment to move forward led Pincott to present a two-part motion to Calgary city council on July 20 to act upon the recommendations for municipalities put forth by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The TRC delivered its final recommendations in early June. While council was
unanimous in its support of the TRC’s call to action, four of 14 councillors voted against the second part of the motion, requesting that the city support a call to the federal government to hold a national inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls. The TRC recommended such a national inquiry. Police stepping up their investigations is not stopping the murders, which sees Indigenous women targeted disproportionately, says Pincott. Regardless of who the perpetrators are, the problem must be addressed. “Why are we turning a blind eye? Of course, it’s our problem,” said Pincott, who was disappointed with the lack of unanimous support from council. Pincott has asked that the city report back on how it plans to take action on the TRC recommendations, with an update to council by Nov. 15. A full report in conjunction
with the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee annual report is to be delivered by May 2016. The motion ensures that the TRC recommendations are embedded in CAUAC’s new strategic work plan. “The CAUAC committee has done good work,” said Pincott, “but the circle is too small.” The motion is intentional, he says. Aboriginal employees are not well-represented on staff, so increasing employment opportunities would be a start. Educating city staff in Aboriginal history and culture is critical, because it’s our collective history, says Pincott, adding education will open people’s eyes, create more understanding, more openness and more inclusiveness. Andrea McLandress, newly elected president of Calgary’s Aboriginal Friendship Centre, says her organization has the resources to support Pincott’s motion. See Calgary on page 12.
At a lunch on July 22, Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, addressed the Calgary Chamber of Commerce on the benefits of working with Aboriginal people. He said he wanted to see Aboriginal people educated for employment in the energy industry as a means of tackling poverty. He also wants them involved in development as their unique view of the environment provides the basis for sustainable growth of the energy industry. He noted a difference in opinion of First Nations toward pipelines, saying some are interested in economic potential while others are adamantly opposed. Assurance of better systems will lead those opposed to be more open, he said. Bellegarde also spoke about provincial and federal governments’ legal duty to consult when resource projects have potential to affect the rights of Aboriginals. Bellegarde advocated for greater involvement of First Nations on boards and management teams. Chamber of Commerce CEO Adam Legge said it’s vital that business and industry understand the Aboriginal perspective and work in partnership.
Peace, Love & Victor Walk Since July 21, Theo Fleury and his team have been walking from the Be Brave Ranch, a treatment centre for sexually abused children near Edmonton, to Siksika. They were greeted by supporters when they stopped at Eau Claire Plaza in Calgary on July 25. Fleury initiated the Victor Walk in 2013 with a walk from Toronto to Ottawa over a 10-day period to raise awareness and provide support to those telling their stories. Six years ago Fleury published his book, Playing With Fire, in which he wrote about the abuse he experienced while coached by Graham James. The money raised from the walk has contributed to the Breaking Free Foundation Fleury and others founded to help those surviving childhood trauma access treatment. Symbolized by a frog, an image Fleury has tattooed on his arm, the Victor Walk represents moving forward on the healing journey. In acknowledgement of the support he has received from the Siksika Nation, Fleury chose it as the destination.
Memorial held for Colton Crowshoe Family members and supporters gathered near the Abbeydale Community Centre to remember 18-year-old Colton Crowshoe, whose body was found in a pond near the location last July. Crowshoe’s homicide is not solved and his family continues to call for justice. On July 2, 2014, Colton was arrested and charged with trespassing and break and enter. He was seen on July 4 leaving a party with friends in Abbeydale. Family members reported him missing a few days later. A missing person’s news release was not issued until July 22. Two days later his body was found in the Abbeydale retention pond. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been called upon to respond to complaints leveled by family members of racism against the police in handling the investigation. ASIRT’s findings are expected this fall. The Crowshoe family plans to hold an annual vigil until they get the answers they seek.
Chief Chiniki restaurant in rebuilding stage The new Chief Chiniki restaurant near Morley is under construction and could open before year’s end. Damages to the original restaurant, destroyed by arson in August 2012, were estimated at over $1 million. The restaurant complex will include a new gas station and a convenience store, and a new water and sewer system with about 700 square feet of leasable commercial space. The Chiniki Band received an insurance payment, but is also enhancing the new restaurant with its own funds. The 6,500-square-foot restaurant will have 120 seats inside and an additional 50 seats on an outside deck. The restaurant is a hub of the community and popular meeting place for locals and travellers. Noelan Twoyoungmen, 22, of the Stoney First Nation, received a two-year prison sentence recently pleading guilty to arson. Three youths were also charged. Project lead Ray Greenwood said the restaurant may include museum pieces and information about Aboriginal history and culture. The restaurant is expected to employ 20-25 people.
Compiled by Darlene Chrapko
Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
8
BACK TO SCHOOL
Internship program offers museum experience to qualified students
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society president Peggi Ferguson-Pell (left) with Hanako Nagao.
By Andrea Smith Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON
The Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society is giving a young Aboriginal student a head start. Hanako Nagao, an arts and cultural management student at MacEwan University, is spending her summer working for the museum’s marketing department as part of FRAMS internship program. “I’ve been surprised by how much is directly relatable to what I’m doing in school. I’ve taken some marketing and publicity classes, and it’s different seeing a press release for a fake organization and then
seeing an actual one here,” said Nagao, of her experiences so far this summer. “It’s been really valuable and it’s kind of hands-on teaching what the courses might have taught more theoretically,” she said. Nagao is Métis, and originally from Golden, BC. She has worked with organizations like the Métis Nation for the Columbia River Society, running youth groups and acting as a youth representative. Her position at the museum is only four months—from May to August—but should give her a competitive edge when she enters the labour market. See Internship on page 12.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
9
Conference to explore partnerships between Aboriginal community, United Church By Paula E. Kirman Sweetgrass Writer BANFF
An annual event of the United Church of Canada is evidence that it has started moving forward with reconciliation between the church and Aboriginal communities. The Banff Men’s Conference will focus on partnerships with First Nations and finding harmony together. The conference, which has been held for over 50 years, is part of the implementation of the United Church of Canada’s statement to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada from March of 2014. The document includes words from Right Reverend Gary Paterson, the moderator of the UCC: “And so, we commit ourselves to continue the spiritual practices of listening and learning, healing and reparation, until relationships are in balance...respectful, just, and healthy.” Organizers of the Banff Men’s Conference felt it was an important time to explore relationships between the Aboriginal community and the United Church, as the United Church was a signatory to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, which created the TRC. Conference Executive Director Jim Graves says that part of the way the conference will seek to build relationships with Aboriginal communities is “by conducting rituals on an equal footing – for example, a pipe ceremony and Holy Communion.” The conference is being promoted on a regional basis among Indigenous groups and organizations in Treaty 6, 7, and 8, as well as the Arctic, Mexico, and Guatamala. “The United Church and it predecessors were part the genocide that the TRC is attempting to address. At the time it was business for the church - the church got used just like all the other churches. While this was going on, people within the church started to
wake up to what was really going on and the church was not kind to those people either. So yes, the church was involved in the colonial project: can this be changed? That is the question this conference attempts to address,” said Graves. Relationships between the United Church and Canada itself are important parts of the church’s history, says Graves. “Early pioneers in the church, McDougall and Rundle, set in motion the relationship that represents the reality that is Canada today,” he said. “Mountains and churches were named after these men. This is an opportunity in the present moment to revisit that relationship and explore where it will lead into the future. To do that, we will connect with the past in the region and celebrate an exciting new chapter in the history of this land.” The conference takes place Sept. 18-20. Open to men of all religions and cultures, the conference will feature ceremonies, workshops, recreational activities, music, and speakers. The keynote speaker is Miles G. Richardson of the Haida Nation, who was a member of the British Columbia claims task force, which worked with the governments of Canada and BC, and First Nations in BC to make recommendations on how the three parties could begin negotiations with the goal of building new relationships. Other goals of the Banff Men’s Conference include spiritual exploration and personal development. “The conference as about doing things together: to do rituals together, to create art, to sweat, to socialize, to talk, to share meals and music. There will be an opportunity for individual reflection and meditation, and the opportunity to experience the spiritual power of Banff itself,” said Graves. For more information, visit banffmen.org.
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Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
10
BACK TO SCHOOL
Actor reaches out to youth with his own story
PHOTO: TREVOR SOLWAY
Telly James trains community members to recognize suicide risks, and intervention skills inside youth.
By Trevor Solway Sweetgrass Writer SIKSIKA FIRST NATION
Suicide Prevention coordinator Telly James uses his past to educate community members about the risks and signs of suicide. “I suffered with suicidal thoughts from when I was 17 until… to be honest…I’m being extremely real… up until now,” he said. James tells his story for two reasons. First, it helps him come to peace with his life. Secondly, James believes troubled youth spend too much time thinking they are alone in their experience of pain. The Aboriginal suicide rate is three times that of the general Canadian population. First Nations youth living on reserve are five to six times more likely to commit suicide than general Canadian youth. James could’ve been one of those statistics. One night James’ mother sat him down and told him something that changed his life. He had gotten into trouble the night before. “She threw a pack of smokes at me and said, ‘Here, you’re going to need these.’ I was like, ‘For-real?! A pack of smokes? I ought to piss my mom off more often.’” But this time James’ mom was more than angry. “I knew what she was leading up to, I just wanted to hear her say it, but I (could) already feel myself coming apart inside,” said James. James, 17, learned the man who had raised him and that he called “Dad,” was not his biological father. “Almost like those cartoons, when someone gets punched in the teeth and they shatter slowly piece by piece? That
was my heart,” he said. James lost his sense of identity. He went down a dark spiral of suicidal thoughts. He lost the motivation to live, he says, and resorted to partying and alcohol to fill that void. Now James harnesses his questions of identity and loss to help others. He knows what it’s like to be in that pain and to feel that hopelessness. He can laugh at his past now, but adolescent mischief, loss of identity and a rough relationship with his parents left him vulnerable for suicidal behaviour and thoughts. Today, James is 37 and a father of two girls. He is also a successful stage actor with appearances in the critically acclaimed APTN-TV series Blackstone and CityTV’s Young Drunk Punk. He is a prominent figure in his First Nation community through his work at Siksika Health Services as the Suicide Prevention coordinator. “We have to share our stories so we can find the humanity in one another,” he said. He stresses that he places no blame on his parents. Both had gone through Indian residential schools, his father attending St. Mary’s Residential School on the Blood reserve, and his mother the Old Sun Residential School on Siksika Nation. He understands both were just “trying to keep sane” while raising a family. “They gave me all they got, even if it wasn’t much.” It’s been a long, hard journey for James, and he thanks his parents for teaching him the important lesson of not judging people by a single action: “We have to show our parents a little more grace, and not expect that we had to have that cookie cutter childhood.”
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Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
SPORTS
11
Oilers’ draft defenceman from Ochapowace Cree Nation By Sam Laskaris Sweetgrass Writer OCHAPOWACE FIRST NATION
Ethan Bear knows he will be riding the busses again this coming season in the Western Hockey League with the Washington-based Seattle Thunderbirds. But the 18-year-old, who is from Saskatchewan’s Ochapowace Cree Nation, is hoping that soon after that he’ll be ready to suit up in the National Hockey League with the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton selected Bear in the fifth round, 124th over-all, at the NHL Entry Draft, which was held in Sunrise, Fla., from June 26-27. For Bear, and many other draft-eligible players, the proceedings brought to an end the lengthy season-long wait of wondering which NHL team would acquire their playing rights. “I had talked to quite a few teams,” said Bear, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound defenceman, who spent the past two seasons with the Thunderbirds. “I knew Edmonton was interested and I’m fine with where I ended up.” Though he has been drafted, Bear recognizes he has plenty of work ahead of him if he is to one day suit up for the Oilers. He still has two seasons of junior eligibility remaining. “I know I’ll be back in Seattle as I have to improve in certain
PHOTO: EDMONTON OILERS
Ethan Bear on NHL Entry Draft day: chosen in the fifth round by the Edmonton Oilers.
areas,” he said. “I know I have to work on my agility and my lateral movement. I’m doing a lot of footwork now with my trainer. And when I’m on the ice I am working on my lateral movement.” Bear has returned to the Ochapowace Cree Nation for the off-season. Besides training in his own community, he also makes frequent trips to Regina, about a 60-minute drive away, to work out and skate with several other WHL, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and midget-aged players. Bear’s summer also included
a week-long trip to Edmonton in early July where he participated in the Oilers’ development camp. A total of 31 players, including draftees not only from 2015 but previous years as well, took part in the event. For Bear, the camp marked the first time he met Oilers’ highly-touted prospect Connor McDavid, the first pick over-all in this year’s draft. “We talked a lot, whenever I saw him in the dressing room or at the hotel,” Bear said of McDavid. Bear added there was nothing unusual about their first
encounter. He said they introduced themselves and mentioned where they had played their junior hockey. McDavid, who will step right into the Oilers’ lineup this coming season, is being
projected as a shoo-in to become an NHL superstar. “He’s going to be a really good player,” Bear said. “I’m very excited about the possibility of playing on the same team as him.” McDavid and Bear were originally scheduled to be on the same squad during an intrasquad match that was held in conjunction with the Oilers’ development camp. “We were supposed to be on the same team but before the game I was traded to the other team,” Bear said. “So I played against him.” Bear and McDavid will be briefly reunited next month in Edmonton as both will attend the Oilers’ main training camp. Bear is scheduled to report to the Thunderbirds’ training camp on Aug. 22. He anticipates he’ll be in Seattle for about 10 days before heading to the Oilers’ camp in early September. Then, at some point during the Edmonton camp, the club’s brass will do the expected and reassign him to the Thunderbirds for some more grooming.
Mikisew push for “in danger” designation to protect park (Continued from page 4.) facilitate industrial management and monitoring solutions between Canada, First Nations and other stakeholders. Lepine says the monitoring group is slated to visit Canada in October, and preparations are already underway. This time around, the Mikisew are hoping to convince UNESCO to add a cultural component to the World Heritage designation of the park, in recognition of the Cree and Dene peoples’ historical connection to the land. Once the visit and assessments are complete, UNESCO will consider listing Wood Buffalo National Park as a World Heritage Site In Danger at next year’s convention in Turkey. Currently, 48 World Heritage
Sites have been identified as in danger because of newly introduced natural or manmade factors. The Mikisew are hoping the new designation will enhance the conservation efforts of government and industry in the region. “Ultimately, we’d like to see a lot more collaboration and comanagement of the site [with the government of Canada] and that includes managing the cumulative effects of activities outside of the site,” Lepine said. “We want to exhaust every opportunity we can to protect it.” Wood Buffalo National Park is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada. It is Canada’s largest national park and the second largest national park in the world.
Aboriginal garden to be community gathering place (Continued from page 6.) The garden will be a permanent fixture in its location and is open to all. Higuchi hopes that it will become a place that is widely utilized by the community. “We’re looking for community involvement now to help us
guide the future of this garden,” he said. “We want to see this garden be truly reflective of the community, so we’re looking for ideas and opportunities for community involvement, whether it is programming or opportunities for people to come and enjoy it in different ways.”
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Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2015
12
COMMUNITY
Sports program trains and mentors Aboriginal youth By Sam Laskaris Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON
Aboriginal youth from Edmonton were among those benefitting this summer from a decade-old program called Sportin-a-Box. Developed in 2005 by the United Nations Association in Canada, SPOX is an education program that encourages youth to think globally, act locally and share what they know about the values of social skills, fair play and respect for rules. SPOX was created as a legacy of UN’s International Year of Sport and Physical Education. This year the program has received funding to train and mentor Aboriginal and vulnerable youth, in both Edmonton and Ottawa. They will acquire coaching and leadership skills that can be used in everyday life. Montreal-based Saputo Inc., a dairy company, and FIFA’s Football for Hope program provided funds to deliver the program to the two cities, both of which have a large number of urban Aboriginal youth. The program is geared to those
PHOTO: TONY LEWIS
The United Nations Association in Canada teamed up with local partner KidSport Edmonton to officially launch Sport-in-a-Box in Edmonton at Thorncliffe Elementary, which boasts an Aboriginal student population of 35 per cent.
ages 14-20. Forty youth participated in workshops run by eight to 10 mentors. Many of the peer mentors to be chosen from Edmonton will be ones that do similar work with the iHuman Youth Society. Sarah Gambites, who designed and manages the SPOX program, said 2015 is a special sports year in Canada.
Edmonton played host to both the women’s World Cup of soccer and the Junior Pan Am Games, a track and field competition. SPOX participants received tickets to a World Cup soccer game as well as attending the Canadian track and field championships, held in Edmonton in early July. “We used this opportunity to
look at bringing in the urban Aboriginal youth,” said Gambites, who is UNA-Canada’s director of education and community initiatives. Vivian Giang, UNA-Canada’s project officer in Edmonton, believes Edmonton is an ideal city to take part in SPOX. “A lot of it has to do with the community support here,” she
said. “There’s a big rally around sports.” KidSport Edmonton, which provides grants for youth, who otherwise cannot afford to play sports, and TrackTown Canada, organizers of the national track and field meet and the Junior Pan Am Games, came on board as community partners of the SPOX program in their city.
Internship program offers museum experience to qualified students ( Continued from page 8.) “Originally I was in art school until I decided I didn’t want to make art a career, I wanted to help artists connect with audiences instead. Marketing is a really great way of doing that,” she said. While Nagao started her internship off wondering if the job was really her “cup of tea,” she is now convinced this is the path she wants to follow. She’s enjoyed everything she’s done from snapping photos to interviewing curators and writing online blogs for the museum website. The blog posts have been a key piece of her experience, and through them she’s had ample
opportunity to tailor her work to her education. “I really got to pick and choose what was beneficial for me. It was a very open process… They had a schedule set out for me but it was like, ‘What do you want to learn this summer, and why are you here?’” she said, of how the museum collaborated with her on her internship duties. And to her surprise, she also got a taste of just how exciting the behind-the-scenes life at a museum really is. “There’s way more going on behind the museum than you’d expect. For every field of study we have here, there’s at least one (person) if not a team of
people behind it doing research… There’s so much more to a museum than just walking in and looking at artifacts.” The Aboriginal museum internship program has been around since 1998. However, it has existed in different forms and with different funders over the years, according to Peggi Ferguson, president of FRAMS. It was originally created after a report released by the Assembly of First Nations and the Canadian Museum Society emphasized the need for Aboriginal people to be involved in “museology,” she says. “There was concern that
Calgary takes steps to implement TRC recommendations (Continued from page 7.) “We’d like to provide support and information on ways the city can implement the recommendations that fall within municipal jurisdiction,” she said. While Calgarians participate in celebrations of First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture, their understanding and appreciation could go deeper, says McLandress. “They enjoy hoop dancing, drumming, and jigging performances, but don’t know much about the Royal Proclamation of 1763, treaties,
the Indian Act or residential schools,” she said. “Fifty-six per cent of Canada’s Aboriginal people live in urban centres. Therefore, the way municipal governments respond to the TRC’s call to action will affect the majority of Aboriginal people in the country, many of whom are affected by residential schools, either as survivors or through intergenerational effects,” she added. McLandress noted that her organization supported other recommendations made by the
TRC, including reclaiming names and identity, and addressing health care needs of off-reserve Aboriginals. She also pointed to the TRC’s recommendation that called for Aboriginal people to have equitable access to job. “AFCC would like to see our community members find greater employment and advancement opportunities within companies who have offices or operations in the Calgary area. We’d be happy to work cooperatively with the corporate sector to achieve this,” said McLandress.
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young Aboriginal people were not interested in museums at all and in fact maybe a bit against them. So we thought how can we get people to understand what museums really do and how museums are interested in actually preserving culture?” said Ferguson. The original sponsors for the program were Indspire—an Aboriginal education organization—Syncrude, and
FRAMS. FRAMS now funds much of the program themselves, but with help from generous donors like Peace Hills Insurance, says Ferguson. “We’ve seen a lot of benefits from the program and we decided as a group we were going to keep it going. We felt it was worth it… And I think it’s really opened up a lot of avenues for the students,” she said.