Sweetgrass August 2014 final by Paul Macedo

Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2014 WHAT'S INSIDE:

Healing Walk to give way to community focus Page 3 Aboriginal agency will lead expanded services to Aboriginal families Page 4

THE ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER OF ALBERTA

AUGUST 2014 VOLUME 21 • NUMBER 9

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PHOTO: SHARI NARINE

(From left) Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam, Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille and University of Manitoba professor Stephane McLachlan discuss the findings of a recently released report they undertook examining cancer in the region.

Independent study indicates cancer concern in Fort Chipewyan By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor EDMONTON

Cancer concerns for two First Nations living downstream on the Athabasca River have always been personal for Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille, but now they have reached an even higher level. Courtoreille has been diagnosed with cancer. “But I am a fighter. I just don’t give up. And so are my people,” he said. “I don’t have a problem in standing up to industry, in standing up to government, other First Nations to fight for our wellbeing, our lives.” Courtoreille’s comments accompanied the release of phase two of the joint report Environmental and Human Health Implications of Athabasca Oil Sands, which was undertaken by his First Nation and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. The report, which went beyond medical records, indicates higher than average rates of cancer on the two First Nations. According to the report, 20 out of 94 people interviewed included cancer among their ailments. Those figures are startlingly different from information released by the province in March.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Talbot indicated that data collected between1992-2011 showed that cancer rates in the area were on par with the rest of Alberta and there was no concern for environmentrelated cancers. Lead researcher, environmental scientist Dr. Stephane McLachlan, with the University of Manitoba, said his findings and process were scientifically-sound and more accurate because of the holistic approach, which incorporated both traditional knowledge and environmental health sciences. “There’s something unique that’s happening in Fort Chipewyan especially when you do the interviews and you do the analysis that we did around cancer rates,” said McLachlan. The study compared those who suffered from cancer with those who did not in order to determine the differences in living habits. Consumption of traditional foods, in particular fish, and employment in the oil sands stood out as mitigating factors. Tests of wildlife for heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found high levels of concentration. Some of the findings also

indicated high levels of arsenic, mercury, and selenium and elevated cadmium levels. This past May, the province advised Fort Chipewyan residents to limit their consumption of gull and tern eggs from Mamawi Lake and Lake Athabasca due to rising mercury levels identified by a study last October. The report noted, “Yet human exposure to these contaminants were generally not of health concern (because of) the relatively low amounts of traditional foods that are now consumed ….” However, said McLachlan, the switch to less healthy and less expensive store-bought food also makes people sick. Change in eating habits coupled with the lack of adequate local health services has created a “perfect storm,” he said. Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam said the findings are “credible” and called out both the provincial and federal governments for their refusal to take action. “I feel because we are a First Nation community, in more ways than one, that we are being discriminated against through economic and environmental justice,” he said. “We’ve been at this for well over 20 years and we’re still at the table and not

going nowhere.” Adam said regulatory reform would provide more information about what is going into the Athabasca River and its tributaries and not just from the oil and gas sector but also from municipalities. He called for reduction in water and air emissions. “We have to do a lot of things,” he said. “We have to hold government accountable for this.” Part of holding government accountable was the First Nations’ decision to go outside of the University of Alberta to undertake the study. Adam said the U of A and Alberta government have close ties and “we wanted to get a fair analysis done.” Adam added that the First Nations were not calling for the end of tar sands development but a “slow-down of further development in regards to what is going on in our region and start cleaning up the mess.” Following the release of the report, the Keepers of the Athabasca issued a news release condemning the provincial government for its lack of action. In a CHED news report, a spokesperson from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

indicated no urgency to respond to the First Nations’ report noting that the issue of cancers in the region had already been addressed earlier in the year by the province. The Keepers of the Athabasca are calling for an independent public inquiry into the actions of the Alberta government “with regard to their inaction on health concerns in Northern Alberta.”

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Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2014

ALBERTA NEWS any concerns about First Nations impacts,” referring to a lack of assessments and studies undertaken. ACFN calls the 500 km Grand Rapids pipeline the “mother of all pipelines” as it will feed the Energy East and Keystone XL pipelines. Grand Rapids would ship up to 900,000 barrels per day from near Fort McMurray to the Edmonton area. Landowners and environmental groups have also raised concerns over the development and lack of an environmental protection plan. In a news release, TransCanada noted it was “disappointed” with ACFN’s decision but that it will “ensure” the band is kept informed. Adam said ACFN will consider other avenues to challenge the Grand Rapids pipeline proposal.

AFN supports legal action for safe drinking water PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Chiefs present for the unveiling of the Treaty 8 sign in Whitecourt were Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Richard Kappo, Chief Romeo Cardinal from Bigstone Cree, Chief Arthur Noskey from Loon River Cree, Chief Jim Badger from Sucker Creek, Chief Rose Laboucan from Driftpile Cree and Chief Rupert Meneen from Tallcree.

Treaty 8 marks territory The Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta are putting up signs on the borders of their territory. The first sign to mark the Treaty 8 territory was raised on the southwest boundary near Whitecourt. By marking the boundaries, the First Nations also assert their existence, said Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Richard Kappo, in a news release. “It seems that industry and governments think they can just ignore and forget that we still exist in these lands and that we continue to engage in the ways of life that sustained our ancestors – hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering. These are not only ways of life but expressions of who we still are as the Cree, Dene, Beaver and Chipewyan people of this area.” Eight signs will be erected along the highway at all entry/exit points within the province’s boundaries that fall within Treaty 8 territory.

Services Minister Manmeet S. Bhullar has delivered on his promise to lift the publication ban on children who have died while in government care. Lifting the ban was discussed as part of a limited-topic two-day workshop hosted by Bhullar in January. “I believe it is a basic right of each and every one of us to express grief publicly. This decision is not one for the government to make; it is one for those closest to the child to make,” said Bhullar, in a statement. Media may now publish the names and photos of children who have died in care. However, parents with children in care as well as the children’s guardian, which is the province in most cases, may request a publication ban. Bhullar said that process for a publication ban will be revised and made simpler.

Agreement one more move in step to selfsufficiency

The Assembly of First Nations National Executive Committee is supporting legal action undertaken by Sucker Creek First Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Kainai Nation and the Tsuu T’ina Nation against the federal government on unsafe drinking water. “Potable water is a serious issue in Alberta as we cannot even drink water from pumps or natural springs. This situation is unacceptable and must be dealt with quickly,” said AFN Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis, in a news release. As of March 31, 2014, the AFN says there were 147 drinking water advisories in 87 First Nations communities across Canada, with 68 per cent of these designated as continued advisories, many of which have been in place for several years. The AFN noted that July 2011 figures released by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada indicated that 73 per cent of the water systems inspected and 66 per cent of the wastewater systems inspected were categorized as medium to high overall risk. The report determined that, nationally, “based on the 10 year projected populations, the combined water and wastewater servicing needs are estimated to be $4.7 billion plus a projected operating and maintenance budget of $419 million per year.”

OCYA recommends policy against bed-sharing after The Stoney Nakoda Nation has signed a joint venture agreement with Hong Kong-based Huatong death of baby

Funding committed to continue work on health needs of Aboriginal population

Petrochemical Holdings Ltd. to explore and develop oil and gas deposits on about 49,000 hectares of Stoney Nation lands. Huatong will provide all necessary funding and Nakoda Oil & Gas Inc. will act as the primary operator for the joint venture. “The magnitude of this new agreement between Huatong and the Stoney Nations will hopefully bring us one step closer to selfsufficiency for our nation and people,” said Bruce Labelle, Chief of the Chiniki Nation, in a CBC report. Large quantities of natural gas have been produced from the Jumping Pound gas field on the Stoney Nakoda Nation since the 1950s.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions will provide a grant of $1.7-million over seven years to University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences researcher Dr. Cheryl Currie to aid in her research to gain a better understanding of the health needs of rural and urban Aboriginal populations. Currie, an assistant professor of public health, has been selected as the AIHS Translational Health Chair in Aboriginal Health and Wellness. Last year, Currie released information for a study that demonstrated the role of Aboriginal traditional culture and knowledge in the health and well-being of Aboriginal peoples in cities. Currie said improving the health of Aboriginal populations depends on having a greater understanding of the factors that shape Indigenous health in Canada. As an AIHS Translational Chair, Currie will continue to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities to examine health determinants and to develop and evaluate interventions that address community-identified health needs for children, youth and adults.

The investigation into the death of a six-week old baby in care has led to Provincial Child and Youth Advocate Del Graff’s recommendation that a policy be developed directing infants in care to not share beds. In 2013, six-week-old Dawn (not her real name) was found unresponsive in her foster parents’ bed. She was transported to hospital and pronounced dead. Cause of death was undetermined. Dawn was one of nine children in the foster home, which was licensed for four foster children. As the children in the home for short term respite and birth children are not included in the approved placement numbers, the foster home did not exceed the maximum number of children. Dawn’s mother, Kate, is of First Nations heritage, and her father, Peter, is Caucasian. Kate and Peter were both involved with the child intervention system as children, and later again as parents. At the time of Dawn’s birth, two of her half-siblings were in government care due to concerns regarding possible risk of abuse

Publication ban on children in care deaths lifted With the proclamation of Bill 11 on July 24, Human

ACFN pulls out of Grand Rapids hearing The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation has pulled out of the regulatory hearing into the proposed $3 billion TransCanada Corp.’s Grand Rapids crude pipeline. In a news release, Chief Allan Adam cited the “impossible position” the First Nation was put in by the Alberta Energy Regulator, which is holding its first hearing since replacing the Energy Resources Conservation Board. Adam said the AER is flawed and had “seriously undermined our efforts to address

Compiled by Shari Narine

Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2014

NEWS

Healing Walk to give way to community focus By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor FORT McMURRAY FIRST NATION

PHOTO: FACEBOOK TARSANDS HEALING WALK

Between 300-500 people marched portions of 14 km that showed the impact of tarsands development on Fort McMurray First Nation’s traditional land.

Organizers of the Healing Walk, which covers a section of the Alberta tar sands, will be shifting their focus next year. “We’re not moving away from (campaigning against) open pit mining to focus on in situ…but we need to focus on other communities that are needing help,” said Jesse Cardinal, organizer of the Healing Walk and coordinator with Keepers of the Athabasca. “In situ is going to be surpassing open pit mining and there’s a lot of concerns and issues around that.” Keepers of the Athabasca works closely with scientists, Cardinal says, who have expressed concerns regarding the technology being used for in situ development. Scientists say communities need to be made aware and the government held accountable. Keepers of the Athabasca, and its allies, held the first Healing Walk five years ago. The last Healing Walk took place June 27-29, with approximately 300-500 people joining in on portions of the 14 km march past Syncrude and Suncor mines, tailings ponds, and upgraders in the Fort McMurray First Nation’s traditional land. Cardinal says over the three-day event, 1,000 people participated in the workshops, feast, prayers, and march, coming as far as Europe. There were people from the United States and across Canada as well as the local community. “There is more and more interest in not only the science of it, but the spirituality of the Indigenous people and how that connection really is to the land,” said Cardinal. “The walk calls forth to end the destruction of the land from tar sands expansion and to begin the healing. We came to show our solidarity with the communities who are most impacted,” blogged Pacific regional organizing assistant

Brigette DePape of the Council of Canadians. She was one of a handful from her organization to attend. It is that message of healing that Cardinal says is crucial: the walk has never been about protest. And that realization was underscored when local RCMP presented spiritual leaders of the fifth and final Healing Walk with tobacco. “We highlight that connection of how we’re connected to the land, how (if) the land is hurting, how that in turn affects people, how that affects animals, how that affects water, how that affects the air. And we want to continue having those conversations… because we can’t go forward disconnected, focusing only on science, only on facts,” said Cardinal. “We want to continue highlighting that knowledge, learning that knowledge, sharing that knowledge of how (the First People) stewarded the land, how they’re still stewarding the land.” Those conversations will now be hosted by communities, which are impacted by rapid industry development on their traditional lands. The annual event could take the form of cultural camps or workshops. While no community has been chosen for next year, Cardinal says talks are occurring with Beaver Lake First Nation, which, along with Cold Lake First Nation, has been impacted by the multiple emulsion-to-surface releases of a CNRL operation on the Cold Lake Weapons Range. There remains concern among First Nations and environmental groups that the situation, which was made public July 2013, has not been adequately addressed. Cardinal says discussions are also taking place with Big Stone Cree First Nation and First Nations in the Peace River region, who have called upon Keepers of the Athabasca for help. Keepers of the Athabasca is not opposed to organizing another Healing Walk in the future, says Cardinal.

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NEWS

Aboriginal agency will lead expanded services to Aboriginal families By Darlene Charpko Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY

When Aboriginal Home Visitation Services are expanded in the fall to Calgary families with infants and children to age three, an Aboriginal agency will be at the forefront. That’s an important distinction, says Mark Laycock, director of Métis Calgary Family Services. “First contact often occurs with the disenfranchised, for example, an expectant mother.” Although Laycock’s organization submitted a proposal for the contract, MCFS was not successful. While the expansion of Aboriginal home visitation services is not connected to the recently announced partnership with Calgary Police Services to expedite criminal record checks, Laycock believes that Human Services Minister Manmeet S. Bhullar is looking for bold solutions. However, Laycock isn’t convinced the bureaucratic system with its “firmly entrenched processes” is supportive. He questions the effectiveness of the tendering model itself. “The tendering process is not the right one for Aboriginal organizations. If the framework agreed upon with the Métis Nation was engaged, that can solve the problem,” he added.

The Métis Nation of Alberta and the province signed a framework agreement in 2008 which, included, among other points, that the MNA have “input into the development and delivery, where appropriate, of policy, programs and services significantly affecting Métis people.” “(Bureaucrats) are goodhearted people trying to do a good job, but they are missing the mark,” said Laycock. “I would have felt better if there had been more consultation with the community.” The community connection is vital, he says. “Connection with the community is imperative in an Aboriginalbased community. With three quarters of kids in care that are Aboriginal, outcomes are more important than evidence-based models.” For Laycock, evidence-based programming challenges are at the crux of the issue. “Whose evidence is it? Is it relevant to the Aboriginal community in Calgary or some other community?” he asked. “There’s lots of evidence, but what happened with the outcome?” Laycock holds that the system in Alberta has been in evidence-based programming for years and the positive effects have yet to be seen. “The outcome with kids in care doesn’t reflect that. The outcome with kids in school

doesn’t reflect that. The outcome with kids and suicide doesn’t reflect that. The outcome with kids incarcerated doesn’t reflect that,” he said. Laycock emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach that is grassroots, broad, and community-based that follows best practices. He cites examples of effective programs his organization uses, such as a long-running American initiative adopted from the National Indian Child Welfare Association used by many Canadian agencies. The program focuses on positive Indian parenting of children by their own tradition. “Authentic Aboriginal programming and the western social work model are under a lot of stress, grappling with ways to find solutions,” he said. “We are caught up in marrying an old school of social work practices with what really is a community-based model.” Sally Stuike, communications manager for Calgary and Area Child and Family Services, said the agency that received the contract to expand services to Aboriginal families will be announced in the fall. “The group awarded the RFP will have met all the requirements, and the contract will go to the best provider who applied. I do believe it is a combination of people in human services and people in the community,” she said.

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Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2014

Frontline workers recognized for commitment to end homelessness

PHOTO: HOMEWARD TRUST EDMONTON

Leader of the Pack award winners: (from left) Carrie Bartsh, Ashlynne Vanbuuren, Carrie Menzies, Stacey Carmichael, and Arianna Johnson.

By Susan Solway Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON

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A unique Housing First program that has both a trauma support worker and a cultural and spiritual educator was recently recognized with a Leader of the Pack award at the 7 Cities Housing First Practitioners Workshop Awards and Reception. Team Leader Janice M. Shirt, of the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society in Edmonton, accepted the award for her efforts in guiding her team in tackling the ongoing issue of homelessness. “We put together a program that incorporates both these healing aspects in place for people because the belief is that trauma has made such an impact on Aboriginal people that they make up the majority of the homeless population in Edmonton,” said Shirt. In 2006, 8,400 people in Alberta were considered homeless. Since then the 10Year Plan to End Homelessness was put into action and the 7 Cities Housing First initiative created involving organizations from Grand Prairie, the municipality of Wood Buffalo, Edmonton,

Red Deer, Calgary, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. Each municipality operates its Housing First initiative to meet its specific clientele but they also collaborate, support and learn from each other. Jennifer Rideout, from the Centre of Hope, in Fort McMurray, was the recipient in the Ho(u)ser Award category, which recognizes those who are constantly housing individuals at a high rate or are able to sustain clients’ housing. Currently she has 52 clients, many of whom reside in two trailers that hold 17 rooms, and the majority live in private markets. “Landlords are very open and honest and the clients are ready to move forward, so the partnership that we have with the community and Wood Buffalo are very important,” Rideout said. “People take on very specific responsibilities for supporting somebody. It calls on them to be innovative, be very committed, and work together as a team. Recognizing this is why frontline workers are held up and appreciated,” said 7 Cities Chair Susan McGee. All 23 winners of the awards were dependent on their colleagues to nominate them

and, according to McGee, the overall performance of teams supported the individual. Individuals from each of the seven communities received awards in three categories: Leader of the Pack, The Smooth Operator, and the Ho(u)ser. The Go-getter Award went to Brittany Davis with the Salvation Army, in Wood Buffalo; Data Diva or Dude recipient was Jilian Dowding with The Alex, in Calgary; and, the Enabler Award went to Angie’s Best Choice Property Management, in Medicine Hat. When looking at the success of the initiative on a provincial scale, McGee says, Alberta is a leader in implementing goals. It is the only province to adopt a plan to end homelessness and to date has successfully helped 6,000 people within the seven cities. “We’ve done this in an incredibly short period of time. In five years we’ve transformed the way we work and developed teams that have real capacity,” she said. Continuous collaborations, maintaining a strong focus on the tasks at hand and launching an online learning resource for the teams, says McGee, are in the near future.

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Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2014

EDMONTON

PHOTO: PAULA KIRMAN

Aboriginal artists big part of The Works Edmonton City Hall stands as the backdrop to the Alberta Aboriginal Arts Tipi on Churchill Square. The tipi exhibited the work of contemporary emerging Edmonton Aboriginal artists from Dreamspeakers on Tour, Amiskwaciy Academy, and youth participants from Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts and was one of many exhibits at this year’s The Works festival. The festival had 25 different sites.

Thrift Shoppe deals with second fire The Bissell Centre has put a recovery plan in place to deal with the fire that devastated its temporary Thrift Shoppe. Sea-Can storage containers will be used to collect donations at Bissell Centre headquarters. Mark Holmgren, Bissell Centre CEO, said his staff have “persevered (through) the darkest hours facing two fires nine months apart.” The fire destroyed over 100,000 pieces of clothing and household goods destined for homeless and less fortunate Edmontonians. Community agencies, businesses, organizations and radio stations have lent a hand, offering to accept and store donations until suitable storage is organized in anticipation of the permanent store reopening in late October. The cost to re-open the thrift shop is estimated at $100,000, with the organization undertaking an online fundraiser in early August to raise a $25,000 shortfall in funding. The re-opening of the store is vital as it provides $60,000 in annual revenue after expenses to support various Bissell Centre programs and services.

New funding prioritizes Aboriginal housing needs Homeward Trust Edmonton will receive $32 million over the next five years to put toward a new permanent housing project for Aboriginal clients which will include a dedicated team of staff. CEO Susan McGee said the funding will allow the organization to engage in new capital projects and programs. In making the funding announcement in early July, Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose said Homeward Trust’s “housing first” approach was to be commended for providing stable housing for those who had addictions or mental health issues and then providing help for those issues.

School bus for Head Start program Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society received $40,000 from the Edmonton Community Foundation to go toward the purchase of a school bus for the White Cloud Head Start Program. The program is designed to support Aboriginal preschoolers with a positive sense of themselves, their culture. It offers an opportunity for youngsters to develop the skills to be successful in the school system. The bus will help families overcome a key barrier to participation. Bent Arrow is among nine initiatives to share in $279,830 in grant funding from ECF. Through permanent endowment funds, ECF currently disburses four per cent of the income to greater Edmonton charities.

Order of Canada for worker for Aboriginal justice Irene Fraser, of Millet, is one of two Edmonton-area people to join the Order of Canada. Fraser was named as a member for “her work as a social justice advocate who champions the fair treatment of First Nations and Métis people in the justice system.” Fraser, who was born in Alberta, spent much of her life working in Saskatchewan where she focused on highlighting Aboriginal issues. In 2003, she worked with the Indian Residential Schools Secretariat on implementation of the residential schools claims process. She helped train the lawyers and adjudicators who would hear the claims of former students who were abused. Jim Carter, of Spruce Grove and former president of Syncrude, was the other local recipient. The award recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation and is given to people of all sectors of Canadian society.

Compiled by Shari Narine

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: WE ARE YEG

Rallying for tolerance continues to grow in strength Chevi Rabbit (centre) led the third annual Hate to Hope march and rally on July 19. Despite rainy weather, the turnout was strong and included PC leadership candidate Thomas Lukaszuk, New Democrat MLA David Eggen and Dr. James Makokis. Rabbit was the victim of a hate crime in 2012 in the Strathcona area. Said Rabbit, “We hope to inspire Canadians to take action … and to grow a community committed to ending bullying, hate crimes and homophobia.”

Team digs deeper to meet needs of homeless By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor EDMONTON

Building relationships and searching for long-term solutions have brought success for the Boyle Street Community Services Outreach Team when it comes to working with Edmonton’s homeless. “It is important that our team is proactive,” said leader Aidan Inglis. A recent independent report undertaken by the City of Edmonton, which examined the actions of the Boyle Street Outreach Team from 20112013, attributes the team’s success in reaching its mandate to its ability to connect with people who live on the streets and assist them in transitioning to a stable lifestyle. “This is done by building a trusting relationship with clients, helping to determine their needs and supporting them in addressing their issues,” says the report. The report puts the outreach team’s clientele at 57 per cent Aboriginal, noting that Edmonton’s overall Aboriginal population is only five per cent. The outreach team rose from two people to six in 2011 as a result of a high homicide rate

in the city, which saw many homeless falling victim. That was when Inglis came on and the area of outreach service expanded beyond the downtown and the River Valley areas. Inglis says the team targets the usual spots as well as new areas when they hear about people sleeping in the bush or living on the streets. Inglis credits support from the city, which includes good working relationships with Edmonton’s emergency services providers and park rangers, as one factor in the team’s success. The report states that the outreach team is “crucial in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness to meet their immediate needs.” The most common immediate priorities of the team are clothing and food. Inglis says that because the team consists of the “same core of guys it really makes a difference. It helps with the consistency and the clients don’t have to tell their stories over and over again.” That rapport, he says, allows team members to delve deeper into their clients’ situations and get a better understanding of the root of the problems and what

services are required to deal with those issues. It’s not simply about finding housing. It is also about providing accurate and quick referral services and following up to ensure the client’s needs have been met. “That’s why our team has a lot of success. Instead of patching things up, we find the right fit and that means a better chance for long-term success,” said Inglis. Inglis is pleased with the newly-created Heavy Users of Services project that will see health and social service providers, first responders, justice services, Aboriginalfocused organizations, and government representatives all working together to meet the needs of the city’s most vulnerable. “It’s a really great step,” he said. “It takes a whole team to provide services. Any time we recognize that we all need to come to the table to do our parts, that’s a good thing.” Inglis agrees with the report, which says more resources are needed to adequately meet the needs of those living on the streets. “It’s a reality,” he said. “The housing shortage in our city impacts everyone, especially people with low income.”

Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2014

C AREERS & TRAINING

Combination of historical, contemporary highlights exhibit By Sam Laskaris Sweetgrass Contributor BANFF

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Officials from Banff’s Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies are anticipating large crowds for their latest exhibit called Indigenous Ingenuity. “I think it’s going to appeal to a lot of people,” said the museum’s curator Anne Ewen, adding it won’t just be Aboriginals, who will be drawn to the exhibit. If the exhibit opening, which was held on June 15 is any indication, then Ewen will be correct with her prediction. About 350 people attended the opening. One reasons Ewen believes the exhibit, which continues until Oct. 19, will be a huge success is because it includes both old and new art. “It was important to combine the historical elements with the contemporary pieces,” she said. “And it is a unique component, for the exhibit to combine historic artifacts with contemporary work.” Numerous historic artifacts, which are from the Whyte Museum collections, are on display and help to highlight materials, techniques and motifs used by Indigenous peoples. Ewen added there were three main reasons why museum officials decided to stage the Indigenous Ingenuity exhibit now. For starters, this year marks the fifth anniversary of the death of artist Joane CardinalSchubert, who was known not only nationally but internationally for her artistic works and advancement of Indigenous art in the country. Cardinal-Schubert, who was a painter, installation artist, writer, curator, poet, lecturer, mentor and director of video and native theatre, addressed social and political injustices in her works. She was also a member of the prestigious Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. A portion of the exhibit,

PHOTO: WHYTE MUSEUM OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

Joane Cardinal-Schubert, Flutterby (Birchbark Letter), 1998, mixed media on canvas, 120 x 99.5 x 3.5 cm, collection of Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

which honours CardinalSchubert, is an installation piece that talks about residential school life. Ewen said the other reasons for staging this exhibit were to honour those artists who inspired and mentored CardinalSchubert, who was also a member of the Order of Canada, and then also showcase work from those artists who received motivation from her. The exhibit features about 150 pieces of work. “I’m blown away,” Ewen said of the artwork on display. “I’m gob-smacked if you will.” This includes art from all of the members of the Indian Group of Seven, which consists of Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, Alex Janvier, Daphne Odjig, Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray and Joseph Sanchez. Other well-known artists who have pieces in the exhibit

include Carl Beam, David Garneau, George Littlechild and Jane Ash Poitras. The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies opened in 1968. The founders of the facility are Catharine Robb and Peter Whyte, who met at the Boston Museum School of Fine Art in 1927 and married three years later. Whyte was a member of one of Banff’s pioneer families. After their marriage they built a studio in Banff where they both painted extensively. The museum opened two years after Peter’s death. Catharine remained involved in the facility until she died in 1979. The museum, which is open seven days a week, does not have a set admission fee. Museum officials suggest a donation.

Alberta Sweetgrass - August 2014