Sweetgrass January 2015 final

Alberta Sweetgrass - January 2015

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$5.00 + GST where applicableVOLUME 22 • NUMBER 2JANUARY 2015

THE ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER OF ALBERTA

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By Shari NarineSweetgrass Contributing Editor

MIKISEW CREE NATION

The full implications of afederal court ruling slapping theHarper government forimplementing two omnibus billsin 2012 without consulting withMikisew Cree Nation are not yetknown. However, MCN ChiefSteve Courtoreille says it canonly strengthen the stand of FirstNations.“It feels great that there’s some

hope in the justice system of thiscountry,” said Courtoreille. “Butthe sad part is that time and timeagain, the governments, bothfederal and provincialgovernments, they continue tocreate legislation and withoutconsulting with the FirstNations.”

The MCN challenged bills C-38 and C-45, both of whicheffected budgets as well asseveral key portions of federalenvironmental legislation.Among the impacts felt by theomnibus bills were the lesseningof federal protection for a largenumber of streams, rivers andtributaries across the country,including culturally significantwaterways in MCN traditionalterritory. The MCN asked that thecourt rule that the governmenthad a duty to consult with

Mikisew “to the extent that the(Omnibus) Bills had thepotential to affect Mikisew’streaty rights through changes tothe Federal EnvironmentalLaws.”

In a 64-page ruling releasedDec. 19, Justice Roger Hughesagreed with MCN.

“I find that upon theintroduction of each of theOmnibus Bills into Parliament,notice should have been givento the Mikisew in respect ofthose provisions thatreasonably might have beenexpected to possibility impactupon their ‘usual vocations’together with an opportunity tomake submissions,” wroteHughes. “In the present case,no notice was given and noopportunity to makesubmissions was provided.”

Hughes noted that both billspassed “with remarkablespeed.” Bill C-38 wasintroduced in April and becamelaw in June, while Bill C-45was introduced in October andpassed in December.

However, Hughes did notgrant an injunction to MCN,writing “the scope of the termsof such an order would bealmost impossible to define.”

This is not the first timeMCN has been successful in acourt challenge against federal

legislation implementedwithout consultation.

“I’m quite pleased but at thesame time very disappointedthat why do we have to keepreminding the government theyhave to consult?” saidCourtoreille. “We took them totask and won our case in theSupreme Court in 2005. Isn’tthat good enough to say youhave a legal responsibility, notonly a fiduciary responsibility,to protect our interest and whydo we have to go to court toremind you?”

In 2005, the Mikisew arguedin front of the Supreme Courtof Canada that Ottawa hadfailed to adequately consultwith them over plans to addtraditional territory to WoodBuffalo National Park. Theband is presently lobbyingUNESCO to give the park an“at-risk” designation to furtherprotect it from encroaching oilsands and hydroelectricprojects.

Courtoreille holds that thislatest decision is not only avictory for First Nations, but allCanadians.

“The environment affectseverybody and if thegovernment is going to cut outthe Environmental Act and notprotect the environment, well,what are they saying to the

Mikisew should have been consulted on federalomnibus bills

Canadian people? What is moreimportant? The tarsandsprojects that are pushingforward and (this) makes it a loteasier for them to get approvalsrather than going throughhearings and it’s pretty scaryhow the future is going to looklike if we allow them tocontinue,” said Courtoreille.

There are numerous reasonswhy MCN’s legal victoryshould be lauded by Canadians,blogs Don Richardson, withShared Value Solutions, acertified B corporation inOntario that “uses the power ofbusiness to solve social andenvironmental problems.”

Not only will there beincreased Aboriginalenvironmental oversight andstewardship on the waterwaysand fish habitat, along with theapplication of Aboriginaltraditional knowledgeimpacting governmentdecisions, writes Richardson,but there will also be morefederal environmentalassessments and strongerpartnerships betweenAboriginal groups and industry.

The government has until Jan.19 to appeal the decision.Courtoreille expects Ottawa willtake that step.

“But I think if they were open-minded, they would say,

‘Mikisew has a point. Maybe weneed to do things better. No needto appeal now, we’ll work withthem.’ That would be the bestthing that ever happened in thiscountry but I don’t know,” saidCourtoreille. “If they appeal,they’re telling me that they don’tfeel that they have a fiduciaryresponsibility for our treatyrights and they’re not going toprotect our treaty rights so we’lltake them to task further if wehave to. I’m not prepared to stopfor anything right now.”

Three Alberta First Nations continue todefy FNFTA

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Culture, economics play role in diabetesCulture, economics play role in diabetesCulture, economics play role in diabetesCulture, economics play role in diabetesCulture, economics play role in diabetescontrolcontrolcontrolcontrolcontrol

fPage 5

Literacy gets a boostat Little Buffalo

Students from Little Buffaloenjoyed books donated tothem when AssociateMinister of AboriginalRelations David Dorwardvisited the community. Thecollection included picturebooks, early readers andchapter books. LittleBuffalo School is one of 24schools in NorthlandSchool Division.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF NORTHLANDSCHOOL DIVISION


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As per contract to Shari, no payment for photoAlberta Briefs

CUTLINE: (goes with first entry)The lodge will be constructed using ATCO’snext-generation modular fleet that featurescontemporary interior upgrades including amodern colour palette, walk-in closets andensuite bathrooms. (Photo: provided by ATCOStructures & Logistics)

Partnership continues between WoodlandCree, ATCOA joint-venture partnership between theWoodland Cree First Nation and ATCOStructures & Logistics will see the design, buildand operation of a 150-person workforceaccommodation lodge to house workersconstructing the Otter Lake compressor stationin the Peace River region. The lodge isscheduled to open in January 2015 and willprovide accommodations until January 2016.ATCO and WCFN will be working together toprovide camp services for this project includingcamp management, catering, housekeeping andjanitorial. This partnership has been structured ina way that will allow WCFN to participate in allfacets of the construction and operation of thefacility. WCFN previously partnered with ATCOon the Shell Carmon Creek Project.

McKay among top two Chiefs for salariesAccording to information filed with Aboriginal Affairsand Northern Development Canada, Fort McKay FirstNation Chief Jim Boucher collected the second highestsalary in Canada at $644,441. Only Chief Ron Giesbrecht,of the Kwikwetlem First Nation at$914,219, earned more during the time period from April1, 2013, to March 31, 2014. Other northeastern ChiefsSteve Courtoreille of the Mikisew Cree First Nationearned†$110,601 and Ronald Kreutzer of Fort McMurrayFirst Nation earned $156,000 in that same time period.Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation did not file itsfinancial audited statement with AANDC. The Fort

Youth Entrepreneurship Program works to educateAboriginal youth about business including financialliteracy, enhancing critical thinking skills andencouraging students to complete secondary and post-secondary studies, all while building relationships withlocal business and entrepreneurial communities. Martin,along with local program sponsors ConocoPhillips,Suncor Energy and Marathon Oil Corporation andAboriginal representatives including AthabascaChipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam and generalmanager Kyle Harrietha of McMurray Metis, signed theprogram’s partnership certificates on Dec. 12. There areeight students currently participating. The program waspiloted in 2007 and is now being taught in sevenprovinces and one territory with more than 700 studentsat 46 schools “It highlights the focus we have on FirstNations, Metis and Inuit programs in Fort McMurrayPublic. It’s a flagship program in the district. We have avariety of supports for our students and this certainly addsto that complement,” said superintendent Doug Nicholls.“So to have someone of the stature of Mr. Martin andbeing involved in the national program, it’s clearly goodfor students.”

Future of CEMA unclearA report by consultant Human EnvironmentGroup, obtained by the Edmonton Journal, isrecommending that the Cumulative EffectsManagement Association, which is currentlystudying air pollutions levels, take on no newprojects and by the end of 2015 complete all itsresearch. At that time, CEMA would be rolledinto a new, larger multi-stakeholder advisorygroup for the entire Lower Athabasca region,says the report. It is unclear who will take overCEMA’s research agenda. CEMA has a diverseboard that includes First Nations, industrypeople, NGOs, and federal and provincialgovernments and each has input into the researchplan. “The CEMA working groups are filledwith people that understand the region and itwould be unfortunate to take away that level ofcollaboration,” said Dan Stuckless, with FortMcKay First Nation. The pressure to revamp ordisband CEMA began last year after the federaland provincial governments set up the joint-oilsands monitoring initiative. However, everyFirst Nation involved with JOSM has pulled out,claiming their voices were not being heard.

Provincial political landscape changesIn a surprise move, Wildrose Party leader and head of theOfficial Opposition Danielle Smith jumped ship andjoined Prentice’s Conservative government. In herresignation letter of Dec. 18, Smith said nine of the 14members of her caucus “have joined the governmentcaucus in a reunification of Alberta’s conservatives.” Thedecision to accept the former Wildrose MLAs came aftera lengthy debate of the Conservative caucus and was notunanimous. Evan Menzies, director of communicationsfor the Wildrose party, issued a statement indicating, “AsMLAs, we remain fiercely committed to the Wildroseparty, but more importantly, the principles and mandatethat we were sent to the Legislature to fulfill.” Thedefection dropped the Wildrose to five sitting members,the same number as the Liberals and drew the Wildrose’sstatus as Official Opposition into question. However, onDec. 23, Speaker of the House Gene Zwozdesky ruled,“Based on a thorough review of authorities andprecedents across Canada, I have determined thatincumbency is the key factor in the case of a tie and thatthe Wildrose caucus shall continue as the OfficialOpposition.” The 2012 election saw the fledglingWildrose party take 440,000 votes and earn 17 seats.Calgary-Fish Creek†MLA Heather Forsyth, formerConservative member,†took over as interim leader†forWildrose.

BC approves Site-C DamBC Hydro’s Site-C Dam project on the PeaceRiver, approximately seven kilometers west ofFort St. John in northeastern BC, has receivedthe approval of the British Columbiagovernment. The proposed dam will result in theflooding of 5,550 hectares of land within thetraditional territory of Treaty 8 First Nations.This construction of Site-C will have significant

McKay First Nation received approximately $2.5 millionin funding from the federal government, representing lessthan four per cent of the band’s $70 million budget for2014. The financial year ended with a $3 million surplusand an accumulated operating surplus of almost $189million.

Standing denied for public hearingThe Gunn Metis settlement has received status toparticipate in public hearings for TransAlta’s$1.5 billion gas-fired power plant proposed forthe southwest shore of Wabamun Lake.However, Alberta Utilities Commission deniedsimilar status to Samson Cree and Alexis NakotaSioux First Nations. AUC ruled that neither FirstNation had established that their treaty rightswere “adversely and directly affected” by theproposed plant, as their concerns about airpollution were “broad and generic.” Also deniedstatus was the Village of Kapasiwin, on theeastern shore of the lake. “It is beyondoutrageous that the very people put at risk by thepollution from these projects are the ones nowexcluded from any semblance of open, publicreview of major emitting power plants,” saidEdmonton NDP MP Linda Duncan, who wasalso denied status. The Wabamun Lake area isfacing major industrial construction, with fourother power plants in the works — CapitalPower’s proposed plants Genesee 4 and 5, thePaul band’s proposed 1,000 megawatt gas-firedplant, and Atco’s plans for a 400-megawatt plantin the nearby Industrial Heartland. “In thecommission’s view, general concerns, includingconcerns about Wabamun Lake and aboutcumulative effects, provide insufficient basis forstanding,” said the ruling.

Martin launches educational initiative in FortMcMurrayThe Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program waslaunched recently at the Fort McMurray Composite HighSchool by former Prime Minister Paul Martin. A part ofthe Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, the Aboriginal

PHOTO: ATCO STRUCTURES & LOGISTICS

The lodge will be constructed using ATCO’s next-generation modular fleet that features contemporaryinterior upgrades including a modern colour palette, walk-in closets and ensuite bathrooms.

Check us out online at: www.albertasweetgrass.comA part of the ammsa.com online network.


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ATHABASCA CHIPEWYANFIRST NATION

Three Alberta First Nationsare staying the course andrefusing to file their full auditedfinancial statements with thefederal government.

As of Jan. 8, AthabascaChipewyan First Nation,Sawridge First Nation, andOnion Lake Cree Nation hadposted neither their auditedfinancial statements nor theirChiefs and councilsremuneration and expenses inaccordance to the First NationsFinancial Transparency Act. Asof Dec. 31, there were 34 non-complying First Nations. Thefederal government hadextended the deadline forcompliance by three months toNov. 29.

Cold Lake First Nation hadbeen late in posting itsstatements. However, by mid-December, one week afterAboriginal Affairs and Northern

Development Canada MinisterBernard Valcourt named CLFNas one of six First Nations thefederal government would betaking action against, CLFNsubmitted the required paperwork.

The delay was due to acombination of being “such abusy group” and requiring moretime to separate funding fromCLFN-run business entities andthe federal government, saysCLFN Chief Bernice Martial.However, CLFN ended upsending all its financialinformation to AANDC.According to the auditedfinancial statement, federaldollars account for only 34 percent of CLFN’s funding.

“We have nothing to hide,”said Martial. “We were goingthrough some negotiations andthat’s how come we reallycouldn’t sit down and talk aboutthis.”

Martial, who also serves asGrand Chief for Treaty 6Confederacy, says the decisionto comply with the FNFTA is

up to individual bands.Eriel Deranger, spokesperson

for Athabasca Chipewyan FirstNation, says as ACFN does notreceive federal funding tooperate, it will not be postingits audited financial statementnor its Chief and councilssalaries on AANDC’s website.

“We do provide an audit toour members, the people we areaccountable to,” she said.

Deranger says it has beenthree years since ACFN signeda contribution agreement withAANDC. Any federal dollarssubsidizing health care,education and social servicesprograms goes to the AthabascaTribal Council. ACFN is amember of the ATC and moneyfilters through ATC to ACFNmembers requiring thoseservices.

In a statement issued byAANDC, Minister BernardValcourt said non-compliantFirst Nations would have theirfunding withheld for non-essential programs, services andactivities, as well as new or

proposal-based non-essentialprogram funding, and “in thecase of those First Nations whohave indicated they have nointention of complying, seekingcourt orders to requirepublication” will also be actiontaken.

On Dec. 8, Valcourt namedACFN, Sawridge First Nationand Onion Lake Cree Nation asthose that the government filedcourt action against.

In a statement posted onSawridge First Nation’swebsite, the band saidcompliance with the FNFTAwould violate the band’sconstitution as well as earlierfederal court decisions (1989and upheld in 2009) confirmingSawridge’s financial statementis confidential. The band alsonoted that “members may alsoaccess the financial statements,audit report and budget at theFirst Nation Office on aconfidential basis.”

OLCN initiated legal actionprior to the federal government.OLCN filed a statement of

claim in federal court inEdmonton on Nov. 26, claiming$50 million in punitive damagesfrom Ottawa and challengingFNFTA.

“Because of the deadlines andthe timeframes, we decidedenough is enough. On behalf ofour people, the Cree people ofOnion Lake… the statement ofclaim was the last step in a longjourney to get the federalgovernment to sit and talk withthe Nations,” said OLCN ChiefWallace Fox.

Fox says salaries for Chiefand council, which is notcovered through federal dollars,has been disclosed tomembership.

Fox says OLCN can afford tochallenge the government as theFirst Nation has its own-sourcerevenue unlike many otherreserves.

Deranger says ACFN isconsidering whether to joinOLCN in legal action and is inconversation with other FirstNations, who are also holdingout.

Three Alberta First Nations continue to defy FNFTA

By Andrea SmithSweetgrass Writer

DRIFTPILE FIRST NATION

The Driftpile First Nation isthe location of a new landreclamation project funded byShell Canada.

A one acre abandoned wellsite will be converted into agarden-like environment, withshrubs, trees, and other plantstraditionally consideredvaluable in their community.

“We wanted to look atreclaiming land in a way thecommunity would like versusthe way the industry wouldlike,” said Brad Hestbak, arepresentative for NorthernLakes College, one of Shell’spartner organizations on theproject.

“We initially talked to two orthree communities and hadvarying degrees of interest.Driftpile was the mostenthusiastic to get the projectoff the ground, so we’reworking with them on that,” hesaid.

Northern Lakes College isalso working with theWoodland’s OperationLearning Foundation, andIncremental ForestTechnologies. The fivepartners plan to not onlyreplace lost plants, forest, andwildlife, but also to make theproject double as a way toeducate younger generations,says Hestbak.

“Once we have enoughmaterial to put on the website,we’ll be creating that. And

Reclamation project to help revive traditional waysthat’s going to have somelearning tools that a lot ofpeople can use,” he said. “Anentire community can takeadvantage of that, and create abit of an archive.”

The site will include bothEnglish and Cree names aswell as descriptions of possibleuses for each plant. Plantingshould be underway by springof 2015 and continue into thesummer, says Hestbak.

The project also involvesfour Elders and two youth, saysSandee Willier, a projectmanager from Driftpile.Together, they chose 10-15different species and a total of1,500 individual plants, whichare currently being kept in agreenhouse in Peace Riveruntil grown enough to

germinate. “Reclaiming our own…

that’s what it’s called. Andthat’s the reason why they’rebringing back the trees andthey’re bringing back theherbs. Because we’re prettymuch losing all that within ourtraditional ways,” said Willier.

“We have very little to noneherbalists anymore and theones that we do have, they’renot really surfacing,” she said.

In the past, communitymembers would visit the local“herbalist” when they weresick, but that rarely happensnow. And industry in theirbackyard has a lot to do withthat, says Willier.

“We have loggers on ourbackdoor. We are losing a lotof our legs… our moose legs.

And with that, they’re taking alot of our herbs, so we don’teven get people out therelooking for them,” she said.

Fred Chalifoux, one of theElder’s from Driftpile, used topick herbs with a MedicineWoman in his community, andspent time hunting withanother Elder, who had thatsame traditional knowledge.Chalifoux sees the loss of plantand wildlife on a daily basis,and while he finds the projecthopeful he still worries.

“I was out there all morning.I saw one moose and sometracks, so they’re still out there.But each bush you comearound, you see another bushcutter or cat… so it always justreminds you of what’scoming,” said Chalifoux.


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EDMONTON

University of Albertaprofessor Catherine Bell doesnot believe that the Daniels case– which is now on the SupremeCourt of Canada’s schedule –will have an impact on theprovince’s Métis settlements.

“There’s going to beobligations even if, for somereason, the federal governmenthad to pass a legislation, therewould be an obligation to find away to keep (the Métissettlements) alive, like passingparallel legislation. I really don’tsee any worries there,” said Bell,who is a member of a multi-province team of academics andlegal consultants, who willspend the next five yearsstudying Métis treaties with theCrown, including contemporarytreaties and agreements.

Leave was granted Nov. 20 forthe Supreme Court to hear anappeal of the Daniels case. Atrial court declared Métis andnon-status Indians as “Indians”under Section 91(24) of theConstitution and as such comingunder federal jurisdiction.

In 1990 the Federation ofMétis Settlements and theprovince of Alberta signed theAlberta-Métis SettlementsAccord.

That accord is furthersupported, says Bell, by theSupreme Court’s Tsilhqot’inruling in June. She admits it is“odd” to be considering a casethat deals with First Nations butthe implications of the ruling arefar reaching.

“Tsilhqot’in said that whenwe’re talking about provincial

legislative actions … thequestion isn’t whether whichgovernment should be passingthat law and entering intorelationship, but the Section 35test, to what extent has agovernment action affected anAboriginal right,” said Bell. “So(Tsilhqot’in) takes the focus offthe debate of which government(and puts the focus on) what isthe impact and have you metyour Constitutional obligation.”

As part of the Métis treatystudy, Bell will also examinewhether federal governmentinvolvement is necessary.

“So if I’m trying to argue theMétis settlement is a treaty-likepromise, is it relevant that thereis a negotiation between theprovince and Métis, and the fedsaren’t involved?” said Bell.

Treaty-like promise wasraised through the SupremeCourt’s Manitoba MétisFederation case and “suggeststhat there is a duty on the Crownto diligently fulfill the purposeof its promise,” said Bell.

The aspect of Daniels thatcould impact the Métissettlements is the definition ofwho is a Métis, she adds. Thatdefinition is among the pointsthe Supreme Court is beingasked to clarify. As it standsnow, the Powley definition ofMétis sets criteria, whichincludes identification of thehistoric Métis community aswell as identification with acontemporary Métiscommunity.

“The settlements … arehistorically a mixed populationof Métis and non-status peopleso a very strict application ofPowley to them without takinginto consideration the evolution

of those communities and thefact that the core of thosecommunities are Métis andsome of the lands were areasMétis lived but not all of them,if one applies a very strictapplication, that could causesome issues for who is and is notMétis for the purposes ofjurisdiction,” said Bell.

While the study of Métistreaties and agreementscoincides with the SupremeCourt’s decision to hear anappeal on the Daniels case thatis not the driving force for thecountry-wide project.

“We also want to examinehow the Métis would participatein ongoing claims in terms oftreaty model and allow Métis tobe able to rely on mechanismslike the comprehensive claimsprocess to resolve their disputesor to be included in the specificclaims process for alreadyexisting treaties,” saidUniversity of Ottawa professorLarry Chartrand, who is headingthe project.

Chartrand says the study mayalso serve to set up mechanismsfor the Métis and various levelsof government to move forwardon outstanding issues.

“The treaty approach mayactually be the resolution to theissue (rather) than litigation,” hesaid. “A lot of the claims thatMétis bring forth wind up in thecourts.”

Joining Bell from the U of A’sfaculty of law is assistantprofessor D’Arcy Vermette.Rounding out the group areacademics from the universitiesof Manitoba and Saskatchewanas well as prominent Métislawyers and consultants.

Métis treaties, agreementsfocus of five-year study

First woman appointed to headTreaty 6 ConfederacyBy Shari NarineSweetgrass Contributing Editor

COLD LAKE FIRST NATION

The only woman Chief in theConfederacy of Treaty Six FirstNations is now wearing theheaddress of Grand Chief.

“I was shocked to learn I wasthe first woman Grand Chief (forTreaty 6 Confederacy). I guessI made history,” said BerniceMartial, who also serves as ColdLake First Nation Chief.

Competing against men andwinning is not new for Martial.When she won the election asChief for Cold Lake First Nationshe was the only woman seekingthat position.

“I thought to myself, ‘We’reall equal,” she said. “And I’m notafraid to address concerns. Ihave my own way of addressingconcerns, try to do somethingabout it. I’m not the type ofperson who is aggressive either.I learned to listen before Ispeak.”

She has served as Chief ofCLFN since July 2013.

Martial was appointed at theend of October 2014 to replaceGrand Chief Craig Makinaw, ofthe Ermineskin Cree Nation. Aspecial ceremony was held mid-December. Martial says she has“no idea” why Makinaw wasreplaced. The appointment ismade annually by a motion ofthe Chiefs. Martial will hold theposition until July.

She says she “felt pretty good”about receiving the support ofthe Treaty 6 Chiefs along withthe Elders.

Getting the appointment was“overwhelming,” she says, butupon giving it carefulconsideration, she decided toaccept the responsibility, whichshe takes seriously.

Martial categorizes herleadership style as one in whichshe is not afraid to take actionand get results.

“I’m the type of person thatgets the job done. I make

commitments, I make mydetermination to succeed,” shesaid. “I’m pretty dedicated towhat I’m doing.”

Martial says her priorities withTreaty 6 are the same as herpriorities with her own FirstNation: education, health andchild welfare issues.

“As leaders at this time we’regoing through all the legislationand the policies that thegovernment is imposing on usand to put a good position paperin place (for the chiefs) to allwork together,” she said. “I feelthat Treaty 6 is in a real goodposition to go forward.”

Martial says she is uncertainas to whether she will seek toextend her position as GrandChief.

“I usually don’t think that farahead,” she said. “I just live fortoday. If it’s meant to be, it’smeant to be. If it’s not meant tobe, it’s not meant to be. That’sjust the way I take life ingeneral.”


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By Andrea SmithSweetgrass Writer

EDMONTON

While the loss of culture hashad a devastating effect onCanada’s First Nations people ina variety of ways, a new studyshows culture may play a rolein the prevention of chronicdisease.

Richard Oster, and his team ofresearchers from the Universityof Alberta, found that acommunity that is moreconnected to its traditional andcultural ways suffers lower ratesof diabetes.

“Cultural destruction hasplayed a big role. Things likeresidential schools… that has anongoing intergenerationalimpact on people. So taking careof health might be difficult whenyou’re dealing with that,” saidOster.

The study, entitled “Culturalcontinuity, traditionalIndigenous language, anddiabetes in Alberta’s FirstNations: a mixed method study,”was conducted over a two-yearperiod and consisted of two-parts.

Oster acknowledges thatstress may have an impact, asinflammation can be the causeof many chronic conditions.However, he says the change indiet and everyday activity mayalso be playing a role.

“Europeans have hadhundreds of years to adapt to ourchanges in environment…to the

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Culture, economics play rolein diabetes control

healthy life,” he said.Rick Lightning, a respected

leader in the community ofMaskwacis, was one of thepeople Oster reached out toduring the first part of the study.

“I was diagnosed when I was55,” said Lightning. “And likeeveryone else, I was in denialuntil I saw a couple of friendswith one leg and one was blind.And that kind of scared me intobeing a little more serious.”

Lightning, who has presentedon the study’s findings withOster, also helps generateawareness of the disease in hishome community.

He said denial is a huge issuefor the people who are gettingdiagnosed now because makingthe necessary lifestyle changesisn’t always easy, given the lowemployment and high povertyrates in communities likeMaskwacis.

“Once you become diabetic,you have to eat healthy foods.But you have to have a job tobuy the healthy foods. And youhave to have the benefits, and ifyou don’t have a job, you don’thave the benefits,” he said.

But Lightning’s biggestconcern is for the youth, becausethe disease is being diagnosedat younger and younger ages.

“If you have diabetes in thefamily, it means it’s just dormantright now. It’s a matter ofwhen… and we have to be veryfrugal about how we keep ourlifestyle, and what we do,” hesaid.

Industrial Revolution. But forAboriginal people, it happenedovernight. They were living thisnomadic lifestyle, living off theland, and then they’re forced toeat white sugar and fat.”

According to Oster,traditional foods were likelymuch healthier for First Nation’speoples’ bodies than much ofthe food we find today with ourmodern conveniences. Andtraditional activity, like hunting,which required a lot of walking,burned off any excess caloriesAboriginal people may haveconsumed.

“I like to say Aboriginalpeople have the good genes forthe wrong environment,” saidOster.

In the first part of the study,the team consulted 10 Cree andBlackfoot leaders to get an ideaof what culture meant to them,before moving on to comparediabetes rates with culturalcontinuity in 30 Alberta FirstNations’ communities.

Oster says he and his teamsettled on language as theircultural indicator, becauselanguage contains embeddedforms of traditional knowledge.

“Enmeshed in their language,in their culture… are storiesabout how to live a healthylifestyle, and how to be mentallyhealthy, physically healthy,emotionally healthy, andspiritually healthy. So learningthat, and being connected tothat, people can actually dothat… learn how to lead a

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6 E D M O N T O NE D M O N T O NE D M O N T O NE D M O N T O NE D M O N T O N

Tamisan Bencz-Knight, resource development assistant withthe Edmonton Food Bank, and successful food and fundraiserCan Man Dan Johnstone.

Food, money raised to feed those in needBy camping out twice in a food bank truck 24 hours a day for a

total of 143 hours, Can Man Dan Johnstone raised 11,440 kilogramsand $13,675 for the Edmonton Food Bank. Johnstone, an antipovertyactivist, philanthropist, and community organizer, braved the coldweather Dec. 4-7 at the Safeway at Southgate Centre and was blessedwith milder weather at Southbrook Sobeys on Dec. 22-24 in hisdeed. Johnstone started his work in June 2011 when he began goingdoor-to-door collecting food donations. After growing up in a singleparent, low income household, Johnstone was motivated to supportthe same services that his family had needed. Johnstone says hisgoal is to help bring awareness and ultimately assist in endingpoverty and homelessness. Approximately 15,000 people areassisted each month by the Edmonton Food Bank’s hamper program.In November 2013, the food bank fed 13,870 people throughhampers; in November 2014, that number jumped to 14,964. “We’veseen an increase in food bank usage across the city throughout thelast year with our hamper programs as well as the meal and snackprograms,” said Executive Director Marjorie Bencz. Donations andfood were collected at Candy Cane Lane, the CP Holiday Train,Tom Jackson’s Huron Carole at the Jubilee Auditorium, and a varietyof other events.

Over 1,200 New Year’s meals servedBissell Centre served over 1,200 free dinners on New Year’s for

the inner-city community at Boyle Street Plaza. For over 20 years,Bissell Centre has been hosting the free New Year’s Day dinner forthose who are homeless and living in poverty within Edmonton.“For Bissell Centre, the importance is to bring people together forwhat is their first hot meal of the year,” said Amanda Almeida,manager, community participation and volunteer services at BissellCentre. While numerous organizations host Christmas meals, BissellCentre focuses on New Year’s Day. The food was provided by avariety of volunteer organizations and businesses and catering wasundertaken by Edmonton Northlands. Bissell Centre servesapproximately 540 meals every day spread across the Drop-InCentre, the Child Care Facility, and Employment Services.

First Nation artist designs Human Rights awardLocal First Nation’s artist Aaron Paquette designed this year’s

Human Rights award which was presented to Marni Panas, AmarjeetSohi, Velvet Martin, Mohamed El Daly and Brianna Olson, alladvocates for strengthening the fabric of Edmonton aroundtransgender rights, youth poverty, multiculturalism, children’s rightsand environmental rights. The city’s eighth annual awards washighlighted by keynote speaker Dr. Cindy Blackstock, as associateprofessor at the University of Alberta and executive director of theFirst Nations Child and Family Caring Society, which is awaiting adecision by the Canadian Human Rights Commission on thetreatment of children on reserve by the federal government. Theaward is presented annually by the John Humphrey Centre onInternational Human Rights Day, Dec. 10.

Pilot project makes acquiring status cards less dauntingA pilot project undertaken by Boyle Street Community Services

is helping First Nations people living in the inner city acquire theirtreaty cards. The federal government has teamed up with thecommunity organization to help work through the red tape and holdinformation sessions at the Boyle Street building. The majority ofclients at Boyle Street are Aboriginal but only a small percentagehave their status card, which brings significant benefits like accessto federal health programs and help with medication costs.

Raising the Roof campaign coming to an endThe last leg of Homeward Trust Edmonton’s Raising the Roof

campaign is underway. Money raised through the sale of Raisingthe Roof toques and socks will be donated to local homeless youthinitiatives. The final sales will occur at Kingsway Mall (Jan. 27),City Hall at the farmer’s market on Jan. 31, and Toque Tuesday,Feb. 3, at Kingsway Mall, Scotia Place, the downtown LRT stations.

Compiled by Shari Narine

PHOTO: EDMONTON FOOD BANK

By Paula E. KirmanSweetgrass Writer

EDMONTON

The promotion of EdmontonPolice Service’s Const. MikeWasylyshen to sergeant in earlyDecember sparked a series ofprotests downtown.

“When I heard that MikeWasylyshen was being promotedto sergeant, I was shocked,” saidJeanne Longo, a First Nationsactivist with Idle No More. “I hadseen the news and read thenewspapers about what he haddone and was surprised he wasstill a police officer, let alonegetting a promotion.”

Wasylyshen was found guiltyin 2012 and suspended for 120hours without pay for usingexcessive force in an incident thatoccurred a decade earlier. In2002, Wasylyshen tasered 16-year-old Randy Fryingpan eighttimes in 68 seconds, while theteen was passed out in the backof a suspected stolen car. As well,in 2005, while off-duty,Wasylyshen drunkenly assaulteda man on crutches on WhyteAvenue. He also took a swing at

a security guard. He later pleadedguilty to two counts of assaultand was fined $500.

A rally to protest Wasylyshen’spromotion was held on ChurchillSquare on Dec. 20, co-organizedby Idle No More, AnonymousEdmonton, and OccupyEdmonton. In addition tospeeches, 25 or so protestersround danced and marched toEPS headquarters.

“It’s really a despicablesituation, and to the police chiefit is okay, it is justifiable,” saidDuane Good Striker, citingWasylyshen’s promotion as anexample of systemic racismwithin the City of Edmonton.Wasylyshen is son of formerPolice Chief Bob Waylyshen.

“All EPS officers are heldaccountable for their conduct,and the matters involving thismember have been dealt withpreviously under the Police Actand are on record as beingresolved,” said the EPS in anemail statement.

“These matters were alsoconsidered as part of thepromotion process. The EPSpromotion process involves an

in-depth assessment, andincludes a written exam,behavioural interview, as well areview by the management team/promotion board and EPSProfessional Standards. Thismember, as well as numerousothers, went through a fair andbalanced process, demonstratedtheir competencies, and provedthemselves ready for promotion.”

Speaking specifically aboutWasylyshen, the EPS stated hisscores in the recent promotionalprocess were higher than anyother of the over 100 candidatesand that during his service withEPS Wasylyshen has otherwisehad a positive work record,which was factored in when thepromotional decision was beingmade. This includes hisinvolvement in severalsuccessful, high-profile criminalinvestigations during the time hehas been working in the VICEand undercover units. EPS saidWasylyshen had participated inone cultural training event andwillingly submitted to 31 daysof alcohol abuse training in 2006through AADAC.

People gathered on Churchill Square to protest the promotion of police officer MikeWasylyshen, who was suspended over a violent incident involving an Aboriginal youth morethan a decade earlier.

PHOTO: PAULA E. KIRMAN

Police officer’s promotionsparks protest

( See Policeon page 7.)


7C A L G A R YC A L G A R YC A L G A R YC A L G A R YC A L G A R Y

PHOTO: THE MUSTARD SEED

Staff and volunteers from The Mustard Seed were thrilledwith the donations of hams and turkeys from Calgariansduring its annual Turkey Ham Jam, held at four Calgary Co-opstores.

Turkeys, hams and chickens collected for Mustard Seedhampers

On Dec. 6, The Mustard Seed, Calgary Co-op and Country 105collected frozen turkeys, hams and chickens to distribute as partof the Christmas food hampers that The Mustard Seed provides toindividuals and families. Four Calgary Co-op locations participatedin the drive, accepting the donations at Macleod Trail Centre,Crowfoot Centre, Shawnessy Centre and West Spring Centre. The2014 Turkey Ham Jam resulted in donations of more than 300turkeys and hams and nearly $3,000 in cash donations enablingThe Mustard Seed to assemble and distribute 462 food hamperswith all the fixings. The Seed was also able to donate 40 turkeysfor the annual Bannerman Dinner, held at Victory Outreach forhundreds of people in need on Christmas day.

High risk offender releasedThe Calgary Police Service has issued public information and a

warning about the release of inmate Charley Laurence Henderson,22, from Winnipeg to Calgary. Henderson completed a 20 month,20 day sentence and three-year probation for sexual assault andindecent assault. Henderson, who also has a history of assault witha weapon and armed robbery, is now monitored by the CPS HighRisk Offender Program and Probation. Described as an Aboriginalmale, 6’4” tall, approximately 235 lbs. with brown hair and eyes,Henderson committed his past offences in Winnipeg. After carefuldeliberation of related issues, the CPS determined it in the bestinterest of the public to inform the Calgary community ofHenderson’s release for precautionary measures.

Black Diamond Group signs $27 million in camp contractsBlack Diamond Group’s Nehiyawak Aboriginal limited

partnership has secured a 703-bed, nine-month guaranteed man-day camp contract for an integrated Canadian oil company southof Fort McMurray in the Conklin region. The camp will houseworkers for the customer’s oilsands operations, expected togenerate approximately $20 million. The company’s DeneAboriginal limited partnership has also secured a 131-bed, 15-month guaranteed man-day camp for a Canadian oil and gascompany in northeastern British Columbia, expected to generaterevenue of approximately $7 million. The Black Diamond Groupwill provide full turnkey services at both facilities. “We continueto see a reasonable level of industry activity in Western Canada,”said Trevor Haynes, president and CEO of Black Diamond. “Thesecontracts illustrate both the strength of our business and ourAboriginal partnerships.”

Indspire reaches youth, recognizes achievementIn February, Indspire comes to Calgary. High school educators

and their Grades 9-12 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students willbe attending Indspire’s Soaring Indigenous youth career conferenceon Feb. 26, where they will get the opportunity to explore post-secondary and career options. On Feb.27, the 2015 Indspire awardswill be handed out with Alberta represented by Métis Elsie Yanik,receiving the Lifetime Achievement; Métis Ron E. Scott recognizedin the Arts; Ermineskin Cree Nation Chief Dr. Wilton Littlechildawarded in Law and Justice; and Gabrielle Fayant taking the Métisyouth award. The awards will be hosted by Lorne Cardinal andKyle Nobess.

Mustard Seed gains revenue from leased parking stallsThe Mustard Seed’s 1010 Centre, a 224-unit affordable housing

tower which opened last March on the southeast corner of 10Avenue and Centre Street, was required to include a heatedunderground parkade as part of its residential development permit,despite many of its residents not requiring parking. The MustardSeed filed a “change of use” development permit, approved bythe city, enabling The Mustard Seed to lease the stalls that are notneeded by the centre’s residents.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko

By Darlene ChrapkoSweetgrass Writer

CALGARY

Key to the inroads Calgary’sUnited Way’s Aboriginal Youthand Education Strategy hasmade in increasing high schoolcompletion rates over the past10 years has been its ever-evolving comprehensiveapproach. The program workswith the education sector,including the three schoolboards of Calgary Board ofEducation, the CalgaryCatholic School District, andRocky View Schools, post-secondary institutions,agencies and corporations.

It is one of the few CanadianUnited Ways that hasundertaken such a long-termstrategy to improve educationfor Aboriginal youth through avariety of “demonstrationprograms” that build upon priorlearnings. Typically programsare created for a specific timeframe, usually four to five yearsas demonstration projects.

Daisy McGee, strategy lead,who has worked with AYES forthe past three years, sayslearnings are gleaned fromdemonstration projects to buildnew programs with greatersustainability in the future. Theprograms are dynamic andfluid, adaptable to change. TheAboriginal Pride and the Circle

of Supports programs are twoprograms that McGee sayshave been highlights for her.

In conjunction with the CBEand Catholic School Boards,the aim of the Pride programwas to implement more culturefor Aboriginal students. Peopleacted as connectors, creatingindividual customized support.

“Connectors stay withindividual students and followthem maintaining arelationship,” said McGee. AtFather Lacombe High School,the percentage of Aboriginalstudents graduating increasedfrom 45 per cent in the first yearto 77 per cent in the last yearof the program.

Similar to the Pride program,the Circle of Supports, a fourto five year demonstrationproject initiated in 2012, isfollowing Grades 8 and 9Aboriginal students through tograduation aiming to providethe youth with the supports andservices needed along the wayto succeed. As of June 30,2014, there were 32participants in the program.

Circle of Supports, whichworked in partnership with theUrban Society for AboriginalYouth and Encore, a CBEprogram, connected withAboriginal youth throughconferences, events, andcontacts on the street to getyouth back into school. Eighty-

Unified, long-term approachsees improved high schoolsuccess rate

three Aboriginal youthinvolved with Encore returnedto school.

“Laying out the strategy,creating programs, andproviding supports havecontributed to the overallsuccess of the initiative,” saidMcGee.

While there is littlequantitative data to support theAYES program, there aresuccess stories. McGee citesthe success of United Wayyouth ambassador, ChantelLarge, who has completed herBachelor of Social Work and isnow working on her Master’sin Social Work at the Universityof Calgary.

AYES is in a transitionalphase.

“We are talking withagencies to figure out the nextsteps,” said McGee. Goingforward, programs will likelyfocus on a greaterunderstanding of history,trauma and its origins todetermine why students arehaving a hard time getting inthe door.

“The change in focus may benot so school-based, butfocused on healing to betterunderstand the complex issuesyouth are facing is to bettersupport them,” she said. Thisinvolves an examination of allsocial barriers: education,poverty and housing.

Daisy McGee, strategy lead, AYES, connects with Aboriginal Elders at a community gathering.

PHOTO: UNITED WAY CALGARY

“I don’t think any amount oftreatment for alcohol or angermanagement or abuse circles orcounselling would help himbecause it’s when you want helpfor something, you go and gethelp because it’s what you wantas opposed to being caught andforced into treatment,” saidLongo.

Other protesters who were atthe rally were similarly notoptimistic about Wasylyshen’stransformation.

“I believe in reconciliation andI believe in second chances and Ibelieve that none of us are perfect.We all make poor decisions anddeserve an opportunity to learn

from our mistakes,” said Blake R.with Cop Watch. “Now he isbeing promoted to the upperranks of the police force and putin a position of leadership andinfluence, presumably because hewill be a role model for otherofficers. It is true that these eventsoccurred almost 10 years ago andI believe that people can change.But for EPS I have a fewquestions . . . and I fear theanswers to all these questions arethe same: The answer is ‘becauseMike is the son of a former policechief ’ and that is called‘corruption’.”

Wasylyshen’s promotion hasgarnered much attention. On Dec.8, protesters marched from

Churchill Square to EPSHeadquarters. On Dec.12, ahealing circle took place wheremembers of the Aboriginalcommunity met with EPS.Wasylyshen was in attendance.Idle No More organizer TazBouchier says she invitedWasylyshen to the Dec. 20protest to answer to the concernsagainst him publicly, but hedeclined.

EPS has a formal complaintprocess in place in whichpromotions may be disputed bysending a letter of complaint toeither the Edmonton PoliceCommission or the ProfessionalStandards Branch of theEdmonton Police Service.

Police promotion sparks protest( Continued from page 6.)


8 C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y

Larry Loyie in front of the permanent residential school display at the Native Cultural Arts Museum in Grouard.PHOTO: PROVIDED


GROUARD

A new book documents first-hand experiences of Indianresidential schools to youthand adult readers through bothwords and photographs.

Residential Schools, With theWords and Images of Survivorsis by Cree writer Larry Loyie.Loyie, who now lives inEdmonton, is himself asurvivor of St. BernardMission residential school inGrouard, in northern Alberta.He began researching thenational history of residentialschools in 1993 with hispartner writer/editor ConstanceBrissenden, travelling for overa decade interviewing morethan 200 survivors andcollecting personalphotographs. The researchcontinued through to thecompletion of the Truth andReconciliation Commissiongatherings in March of 2014 inEdmonton.

It has been Loyie’s goal todocument the residentialschool system experience. Hefirst wrote a play, Ora ProNobis, Pray for Us, followedby a children’s book called AsLong as the Rivers Flow in2002, which won several majorawards and served as a subjectopener for Loyie’s classroomvisits. Goodbye Buffalo Bay,from 2008, is the sequel and isabout his last year ofresidential school and movingon at age 14.

Residential Schools is aimedat all age of readers.

“We created an expansivepicture of what life inresidential school was like,”said Loyie. “Teachers can onlyget bits and pieces of the story

from the internet. There’s a lotof material out there butnothing in one place, fromtrustworthy sources. Nowteachers, students, all readers,can find an overview in oneplace, from the perspective ofsurvivors.”

Beautifully designed with alarge number of photographs,the book covers residentialschool history, from how theschools started to how theycontinued and finally how theyended.

“It follows students throughtheir routines, the limitedclassroom time and dailychores, like piling wood to heatthe buildings, cooking meals,and cleaning up,” Loyie said.“We quote from more than 45survivors or their familymembers to support the text.”

Loyie collaborated withBrissenden as well as writerWayne K. Spear, who isMohawk. Spear wascommunications director of theAboriginal Healing Foundationand focused on what happenedafter April 1, 1969, when thesystem officially ended and theschools began to close.

Most of all, Loyie hopes thebook will keep the stories ofsurvivors alive.

“Revealing the past has beenpainful for many, myselfincluded,” he said. “Yet weknow we need to do it. Thehidden history of residentialschools must be known toensure the future human rightsof all Canadian children.Residential schools no longerexist but we must not forgetthem.”

Residential Schools, With theWords and Images of Survivorsis co-published by ShingwaukResidential Schools Centre andIndigenous Education Press.

Book offers first-hand stories of survivors


9

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10 C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O M M U N I T Y

By Julie MacIsaacSweetgrass Writer

HORSE LAKE FIRSTNATION

Those living on a First Nationsreserve are 10 times more likelyto die in a house fire than thoseliving in the rest of Canada,according to a 2010 federal study.Horse Lake First Nation ChiefAdministrative Officer DarwinEckstrom heard this soberingstatistic while listening to a CBCbroadcast last March and knewhe had to do something to changeit.

This November, Horse LakeFirst Nation and the County ofGrande Prairie entered into atwo-year partnership that willbring advanced fire fighting skillsand training to the volunteer firefighters in Horse Lake.

“That was the genesis of it,”Eckstrom said of the CBCbroadcast that motivated him.“They talked about the likelihoodof dying in a fire on a reserve. Itwould make you cry, hearingabout kids dying in a house firebecause the trucks couldn’t makeit in time.”

Eckstrom contacted the nearbyCounty of Grande Prairie to seeif their Regional Fire Servicesdepartment would providetraining at the fire hall in HorseLake. He also approached theAlberta government aboutoffsetting the costs for trainingthrough the First NationsDevelopment Fund.

Less than a year later, theofficial memorandum of

understanding was signed.Over the next year and a half,

Horse Lake fire fighters—whohave not received formal trainingsince 1996—will be trainedweekly in the skills and standardsof the National Fire ProtectionAssociation Level 1 firefightingcourse. The course teaches firesafety practices and the standardsfor fighting structural and wildland fires, as well as forresponding to motor vehiclecollisions.

Officials from Horse Lake First Nation, County of Grande Prairie and the Alberta government sign a two-year fire trainingagreement that will bring enhanced emergency response services to Horse Lake First Nation.

New partnership to help save lives on reserve

“Currently (the Horse Lakevolunteer fire fighters) are theprimary responders to anyemergency that occurs in theHorse Lake boundary,” saidEverett Cooke, fire chief with theCounty of Grande Prairie andcoordinator of the trainingprogram. “This training willimprove the safety of the HorseLake fire department when theyrespond to emergencies—thatwas the first and foremost goal.And, of course, it will allow them

PHOTO: COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE

to provide efficient emergencyresponse service, both on and offthe reserve.”

The province pledged $53,000to cover training for the next year,according to Alberta’s AboriginalRelations. Eckstrom plans toapply for more funding to helpupgrade equipment andinfrastructure at the Horse Lakefire hall. The 12 fire fightersslated for training will beoutfitted with all-new equipmentfrom helmets and gloves to boots

and coats, replacing oldequipment that didn’t meet 2014standards. Eckstrom also hopesto secure funding to continuetraining to NFPA Level 2—something Cooke hopes willhappen as well.

“Once our fire fighters havebeen trained, they’ll know whatto expect, and they’ll know howto intervene. This is going to bebetter for the safety of the wholecommunity and for the peoplefighting the fires,” Eckstrom said.

By Sam LaskarisSweetgrass Writer

WETASKIWIN

Vanessa Omeasoo got a bitmore than she bargained forwhen meeting recently withofficials from her bank.

Omeasoo had earlierparticipated in a TD Banksurvey asking how people couldimprove their communities.Omeasoo, who has Cree andBlackfeet ancestry, and worksas the NeyaskweyahkRestorative Justise co-ordinator, had plenty of ideas.As it turned out, those TDofficials seeking ideas werealso looking for winners fortheir 24 Hours To Make TodayMatter Contest.

The North American contestsaw 24 people awarded $20,000each in order to make theirwishes become an instantreality.

“It’s definitely an honour forour community,” Omeasoo saidof the TD funding she received.“It shows they are recognizingus. And it shows that theyappreciate us.”

Though she had participatedin the survey, Omeasoo still feltshe was heading to the bank thatday to discuss her own account.

Vanessa Omeasoo, restorative justice coordinator, works with community members tofacilitates a re-enactment of a circle.

Surprise contest win earns $20,000 to connectyouth, Elders

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Omeasoo, who has Stargardtdisease and is legally blind, didnot notice the camera crews thathad been set up in the bank.They were there to capture herreaction upon hearing the newsshe was a contest winner.

“The bank manager wasbrought in and slid across acredit card along the desk andsaid, ‘There’s a large amount of

money on there to make yourday happen,’” she said.

After a few puzzlingmoments, Omeasoo realizedshe was not there to discuss herown banking needs.

As part of her proposed ideasto help her community,Omeasoo was keen to connectyouth with Elders. Not only dothe youth in her community

have few activities to keep theminterested and Elders often havefew people visiting them, shepoints out, but the connectionis also an opportunity topreserve valuable and richtraditions and culture.

“Every time an Elder passesaway there is a book from ouroral history that is gone becauseof the knowledge they have,”

Omeasoo said.But now with the funding she

received from the contest,Omeasoo is out to change that.

Contest organizers got theball rolling by purchasing aniMac computer as well as acouple of video recorders andtripods. A website was alsolaunched and a technician waspaid to get it up and running.

The website will soon includeuploaded iMovies, whereElders pass on various stories.

“It is frowned upon to record(in the Aboriginal community),”Omeasoo said. “But I try to tellthem they need to do this topreserve this for our childrenand our grandchildren.”

After purchases were made,$5,000 was remaining from theaward money. Officials gavethat amount to Omeasoo tocontinue running her program.

Earlier this year, Omeasoohad been honoured with aprovincial Community JusticeAward. She had served as therestorative justice co-ordinatorfor the Samson Cree Nation foralmost two years. Since Aprilshe’s held the same title for theErmineskin Cree Nation.

Her duties include facilitatingworkshops to prevent crime andconflict.


11 E D U C A T I O N E D U C A T I O N E D U C A T I O N E D U C A T I O N E D U C A T I O N


EDMONTON

Need to look up a word in thePlains Cree language? There’san app for that.

Well, not quite, but there willbe a software package availablein the near future.

Plains Cree is the firstlanguage that is part of theproject “21st Century Tools forIndigenous Languages,” which“aims at developing softwaretools that support therevitalization and the continueduse of Indigenous languages inall spheres of life: day-to-daycommunication, administration,business, and education, by boththeir native speakers andlanguage learners,” said Dr.Antti Arppe, professor ofquantitative linguistics atUniversity of Alberta.

The tools include anintelligent web-based electronicdictionary, which will assist inunderstanding texts like webpages written in Plains Cree, aspell-checker that helps inwriting Plains Cree texts, and alanguage training and educationapplication that supportslearners of Plains Cree.

Choosing to focus onIndigenous languages madesense to Arppe, who is originallyfrom Finland.

In the late 1990s, Arppeworked for Lingsoft, a smallFinnish software company thatdeveloped language tools for theNordic languages. From thisexperience, Arppe says, theylearned it was possible to startfrom almost nothing and create,in one or two years, a decent-quality initial version of thebasic set of language tools(spell-checker, electronicdictionary). Having access toone or more good dictionariesfor that language and

comprehensive descriptions ofthe structure of the language’swords is essential, though, forthe work to succeed.

Now working in an English-speaking environment, Arppehas discovered how important itis to his personal identity to keephold of his language.

“More generally, there is nodoubt that language plays acentral role in the identity of acommunity, and that language isone of the key channels throughwhich a community’s culture,traditions and values aremaintained,” he said.“Therefore, the continued use ofIndigenous languages, oftenunder hard pressure from themajority languages and cultures,has great intrinsic value initself.”

A number of factors playedinto the decision to focus onPlains Cree. The language iswidely spoken by communitiesin Alberta as well asneighbouring provinces andterritories, and is the onlyIndigenous language taught atthe University of Alberta.

“In addition, it has anestablished standardizedorthography, and its grammarand vocabulary are welldocumented in dictionaries, textcollections and scientificresearch. All this provides uswith a good spring-board fordeveloping the various languagesoftware tools for Plains Cree,”said Arppe.

Arppe is joined on his teamby Native speakers and scholarsDorothy Thunder, who teachesCree at the University ofAlberta, and Jean Okimâsis,from First Nations University ofCanada and also author of thewidely used text book forlearning Plains Cree.Strengthening their work isaccess to three Plains Creedictionaries: nêhiyawêwin :

itwêwina / Cree: Words by ArokWolvengrey, the Alberta Elders’Cree Dictionary (edited byEarle Waugh based on thecontributions of numerous CreeElders), and the MaskwacîsCree Dictionary (MiyoWahkohtowin Education). Allthree dictionary authors are alsocollaborating on the project, andArppe and his team are alsoconsulting with seniorcolleagues Sally Rice and DavidBeck, as well as Cree LiteracyNetwork director Arden Ogg.

The project is in its secondyear of development. Arppehopes to have the first properversion of the web-basedintelligent dictionary completedshortly, which would recognizemost of the forms nouns andverbs for the basic centralvocabulary of Plains Cree.However, development of thedictionary will continue. Also tobe developed is a plug-inversion of the dictionary thatwould allow clicking on PlainsCree words on a webpage andgetting the English translation,irregardless of how the wordform is inflected.

Arppe hopes that this project

Software to revitalize, support Indigenous languages

will enable Indigenouscommunities to be able “tocontinue to use their ownlanguages, in the broadest

Dr. Antti Arppe shows content from the website for theintelligent dictionary for the Plains Cree language.

PHOTO: PROVIDED

possible sense - that is, not justin day-to-day communicationbut also in administration,business, and education.”


12 C O M M U N I T YC O M M U N I T YC O M M U N I T YC O M M U N I T YC O M M U N I T Y

Residential school play impacts on multiple levels

By Susan SolwaySweetgrass Writer

STRATHMORE

Sound, staging and heartfeltacting brought together ahauntingly compelling story ofthe Indian residential schoolexperience in this year’sStrathmore High School dramaproduction. Directed by dramaand dance teacher DeanneBertsch, with input fromBlackfoot liaison and teacherEulailia Running Rabbit, theshow was an intense andpowerful interpretation ofCanada’s dark history inrelation to Aboriginal people.Through contemporary andBlackfoot dance, dynamicmusic, and traditionalBlackfoot drumming, thenarrative piece brought togetherthe Drama, Glee and Blackfootclasses to present the IRSexperience of Siksika Nation’sown Chief Vincent Yellow OldWoman.

Grade 12 student, andgrandson to the Chief, HaydenYellow Old Woman playedYoung Vincent and was proudto have the opportunity to tellhis grandfather’s story.

“It made some people think,like myself, (about) how can ayoung struggling Native boygrow up and become a leader

of our nation? It just shows thatpeople can be successful nomatter what,” said Yellow OldWoman.

The show opened with apoem written by Chief YellowOld Woman titled ‘The IndianIn Me,’ and led into a 90-minuteproduction full of emotionaland satisfying acting thatresonated with the audience, asthe painful portrayals ofcultural dispossession wasrevealed.

“I was in tears,” said TreenaPretty Young Man, parent ofgrade 10 Blackfoot student andproduction narrator BreannaBreaker, “because it told thestory of so many of our peoples’children. The play hit it right onthe nose, the story was told withso much compassion…(Bree)now knows how devastating itwas but there is still so muchfor her to learn. I was totallyblown away by the play ”

The show was stark as itdemonstrated young Vincent’sculture change from having totrade in traditional clothing formore contemporary garb, to theresistance of the Catholicpriest, and to the confrontationwith alcoholism. The storyended with Vincent allowinghimself to reconnect with histraditional ways and trueidentity.

With a backdrop displayingthe artwork of George LittleChild and the Glee classperforming songs inspired byPeter Gabriel, the narratorsinfused the words of the ChiefDan George poem ‘Words ToA Grandchild’ throughout theproduction.

For parent Joni Breaker, itwas difficult watching her 15-year-old son Chase “live” theexperience.

“As a parent and watchingthe scene of the priest walkingamongst the students and myson, even though he wasplaying a character, I couldn’thelp but feel protective andwanting to tell him to leavethem all alone! It was kind ofhard to watch because I’m asensitive and protectivemother,” she said.

Chase said the productiontaught him about theassimilation of his people andthe loss of about 70 per cent ofthe traditional language.

Bertsch’s own experiencesand interest in the Writing-On-Stone Provincial Parkcontributed to the overall ideaof the production.

New Blood was alsopresented at the Siksika NationHigh School and at theKaleidoscope Theatre inDrumheller in mid-January.

The residential school experience of Siksika Nation Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman resonated with drama students and play-goers alike.ALL PHOTOS: KELSEY KROGMAN

Sweetgrass January 2015 final

Documents

Transcript of Sweetgrass January 2015 final