Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 1

Eagles Messenger University of Victoria. School of Social Work: Indigenous Specializations

Greetings, my name is Maurie Lynn Kodakin. I belong to the Dene Nation, from Déline, Northwest Territories. I am a Bachelor of Social Work: Indigenous Specialization graduate, June 2010 convocation. I have had the pleasure and privilege of constructing this Spring 2010 newsletter for the School of Social Work: Indigenous Specializations. I hope you enjoy this issue , Mahsi Cho.

Introduction

Introduction & Acknowledgement

1

Student Showcase: Danica Lee Staff Update: Dr. Barbara Waterfall

2

2-3

Honouring Samantha Sansregret, BSW.

4-5

Artist’s Corner: Carla Rae Gilday Dene Artist

6-7

Awesome Past Events Up-Coming Events.

8

Book Review 9

Recipe 10

Inside this Issue

Welcome back to another edition of the Eagles Messenger. As always this newsletter showcases the exceptional and meaningful work of Indigenous students, staff, faculty, elder’s, and our campus community.

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional territory of the WS'ANEC', Lkwungen, Wyomilth Peoples of the Coast Salish First Nations. It is with our sincerest gratitude and appreciation that we live, learn, work, and play in this beautiful territory.

It is an honour to have so many gifted Indigenous Peoples from all Nations contributing to the success of our community. It is truly a blessing !

So sit back, relax, and read about your fellow University of Victoria community members...you’ll be glad you did!

Visit our University of Victoria, School of Social Work: Indigenous Specializations webpage:

http://socialwork.uvic.ca/programs/bsw/fnspec.htm

Join our Facebook group:

UVIC School of Social Work Indigenous Specializations

Just a few words...

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 2

Student ShowcaseStudent ShowcaseStudent ShowcaseStudent Showcase Featuring: Featuring: Featuring: Featuring: Danica Lee

Cree, from Peguis Nation in Manitoba

Hello there,

My name is Danica Lee. My ancestry is Cree and my family is from the Peguis Nation in Manitoba. I was born and raised in Nelson, BC. Right after graduating from high school, I chose to go to the University of Victoria. It was a pretty big move for me, but there were so many great support systems at UVic for new students and especially for Indigenous students. Within days of moving to Victoria, I was introduced to the LE,NONET program and the amazing staff at the LE,NONET office. I participated in the LE,NONET program in many ways including: the preparation seminar, the research apprenticeship, the community internship and most impor-tantly, in my first year at UVic, I was paired with an Indigenous peer mentor to help me with the transition. In looking back, I believe

that this program is the main reason for my success at UVic and the reason I chose to stay and continue to study in Victoria.

After my first year, I changed my focus from wanting to study psychology to focusing on social work with a particular interest in studying Indigenous Child Welfare. I was really impressed by the School of Social Work at UVic and the respect and support for Indigenous peoples. I chose to study by distance once I was accepted into the program. This was a great decision to make. I loved living in my home community while working towards my degree and I really appreciated being able to complete both of the practicum

components at home. The support I received from all of the distance education professors was incredible.

I have now completed all the requirements for my degree and look forward to graduation in June! I have accepted job offers at both of the agencies that I worked at during my practicum and I really want to thank the School of Social Work for helping me make these connections and for helping me in reaching my goals. The past four years have not been easy and I could not have done it without the support from the School of Social Work, the Peguis Post Secondary Department, my family and friends and also stress

relief opportunities such as triathlon training!

Staff Update: Dr. Barbara Waterfall

Barbara Waterfall is a Métis and Ojibwe woman from the shores of Lake Huron. Prior to UVIC, Barbara was an Assistant Professor and First Nations and Aboriginal Counselor at Brandon University. She also worked with the Native Human Services at Laurentain University and was a faculty member with Wilfred Laurier University’s faculty of Social Work. Her research interest includes “Anishinabe-centred Social Work discourse, decolonizing Indigenous Social Work edu-cation and practice, engaging with anti-colonial thought within education and practice, and em-

ploying spirituality within the context of teaching and practice.” (UVIC)

Tea Time with Barb….

Maurie Kodakin: Tell me how your past year has been, and what you’re looking forward to this next year?

Barbara Waterfall: Well it’s been interesting, and for an Anishinabe person to come out to the west coast, I’ve been told that it’s about going to the western doorway and being in the western doorway of the medicine wheel. I know people have their own understanding of the medicine wheel that seems to be different from how we understand it back home; which is a place of introspection- a great mirror that’s put in front of you and you see yourself, your reflection. So for me, it’s been a lot of self-reflection, and I guess it’s been connected to my Mom’s recent transition into the spirit world and both my parents being gone. As well as stepping into that

Grandmother role, whether I wanted to or not. So it’s been a lot of that western doorway work. Cont. on next page...

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 3

There were things about my life that I didn’t like, like the way I was living, the way my life had been organized in academia, and there were things out of balance; physically things were way out of balance and I wasn’t taking care of my body in a way that I should have. Today, my spirituality is at the centre and is at the core of everything that I do. So on a good day, I’m up at 5 in the morning doing my spiritual work and connecting, and I don’t do that every day, but for many days that’s what I’m do-ing. I guess that’s what grandmother’s do, they get up really early in the morning and get started before everybody else gets started. And you know of course it’s lonely when you move to a new place. I didn’t know anybody here, I had no family here, so there was a lot of time being alone with this western doorway work. So it’s been a good year, with a lot of awareness that has come to me. We understand the western doorway as a place of knowing, so I’ve been getting in touch with knowing about things, which has been fantastic. I feel like my priorities are on-

track again.

I have Elders back home teaching me how to de-colonize my mind, because I went through that whole journey of being an academic, teaching in the university system, and then doing my PhD; which is highly academic work and very cognitive work. My brain just wouldn’t stop and it was on overload and I couldn’t go into the silence, but now I have teachers who are teaching me how to quiet my mind, so that I can go into the stillness. And that’s where all that rejuvenation comes from, that’s where all that wisdom comes from, and where that truth comes from. So it’s all feeling pretty good and I’ve done a lot of work. Also, crazy things happened when I moved here that had never happened to me before, like my house getting flooded twice, then I hurt my ankle in 3 places and was on crutches. And so I went to an Elder from the mainland and asked about the water, ‘whether I was doing something wrong? Am I sup-posed to get out of here? What’s the message here?’ and so it was a surprising response from the Elder, because the re-sponse was ‘Barb, the water loves you so much, the water wants to be with you’, and I wondered ‘does it have to be so close?’ (laughter). So I ended up doing ceremonies for the wa-ter, giving thanks to the water. The water was also telling me that I needed to be creative and that I’m a very creative person; in terms of writing, music, and in many other ways, so I’m hon-ouring that. I have a gift of songs coming to me from spirits and I’m having so many songs come to me now and it’s wonderful. It’s a very productive time for me. A lot of big changes have happened in my life, and I know that if I were to go back home right now, people wouldn’t know who I was, because I had got-ten into a serious academic life and lost my vision. I thought I had the vision by being a word warrior, and that’s all really im-portant work, but for me I got off balance and I feel I’m back in balance again and my priorities are more in tune with the natu-ral world and what’s healthy. When I was a practicing social worker in the field, I knew I had to walk my talk, because the people knew if you weren’t walking your talk. So I weighed a 115 lbs, went to aerobics, ate well, went to the sweat lodge, dealt with my whole life in a holistic way- I was walking my talk! Then I started just writing my talk, and I was trying to walk it, but I got lost in the sea of ‘academentia’, as I call it.

Cont. next column...

I had a very bad case of academentia. So Barb is back. I feel that I had covered her over with fat before, but I’m back now and I am so full of joy, life, health, and happiness- life is good! A new thing for me here was coming to terms with this distance education and the way that it’s taught. Distance education for me was going into the community and teaching, and that was fun because you would be out in the bush, build fires, and the teepee would be your classroom, but now it’s about Moodle and Elluminate. So, I realized that it was here, I had to face it, and so I embraced it. Moodle is very fragmented and isolated, and as an Indigenous academic teacher, I see it as my job to find ways for us to have relationships and connectedness. A place where we can connect in heart, and for me that is through Elluminate, because you can talk- I haven’t used my web cam yet, but I intend to this next se-mester so then we can see each other too. The students last semester were great! I had them do oral presentations, because I wanted them all to see each other’s brilliant work and they are more savvy than me. I was able to upload their PowerPoint pres-entations and they had all these high-tech visuals, and one woman had constructed a teepee with all the teachings, which came from the stars and a star would drop and land on the teepee. So it’s been an interesting journey, but I see it as my role to find a place where we can have a connection and where we can bring our hearts to the work. The potential is that I could teach Indigenous students all around the world and have an Ellu-minate class with people in New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Yukon, etc...So for an Indigenous project that is exciting, and yet at the same time I know the power- experientially from learning on the land and land based teachings. There is an important place for that in Indigenous teachings and education, and in the Indige-nous School of Social Work. I would like to have more Elders in-volved in our teachings and in our program- we didn’t have a budget, but I pushed for it. I wasn’t doing that to be bossy, it’s just that I was so passionate for the inclusion of traditional knowledge and I realize just how important it is and I feel our Elders are de-serving of being paid really well for their work. So many of our Elders live in poverty and that’s an injustice! So anyway, that’s what’s been going on and there is kind of a natural unfolding hap-pening for me, I’m not sure where it’s going to take me, but I’m definitely on a journey and I’m pretty excited; it’s an exciting jour-

ney and I’m very happy about it.

Maurie: So what are your goals or focus for this new year and

semester?

Barb: More courses, and figuring out some new things about the technology. I am a singer, and I have recorded some of my songs that are connected to the courses that I am teaching, so I have uploaded those songs as audio files and YouTube files to the Moodle sites. In future I want to experiment more with this and use different modalities, so students can feel my art. Moodle can be quite dry so I am bringing my spirit to the courses. I know that my music can be transformative and it’s not to be ‘braggadocious’ as my friend would say, it’s just to know and embrace who you are, know what your gifts are, and to know what your contribution is. I welcome the students to share their gifts and I will find ways for this inclusion into the courses as well. We are embarking on major changes, major shifts, and they’re coming soon and we

need to be prepared for that. So...that’s my year in a nutshell.

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 4

Samantha Sansregret is a Métis Elder originally from Calgary, identifies as Cree Métis (her maternal grandmother’s first language), Anishinaabe, Nakota Sioux, Abenaki, and also as Scottish, Irish and French. She came to Vancouver Island to attend UVic. She graduated with a degree in First Nation Social Work in 2003, and now works for Aboriginal Health at Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) as an Aboriginal Women’s Wellness Coordinator. As well as offering her support as a Reiki practitioner, Samantha looks forward to discussing the explo-ration of Aboriginal identity with students who may be curious about their

heritage. (UVIC INAF)

Sam is at the First Peoples House (every other Friday) as an Elder in residence.

Thank you from the School of Social Work: Indigenous Specializations

As Samantha notes in the following article she will be retiring this summer from her position at VIHA-

Aboriginal Health. In the past few years Sam has supervised many social work practicum students in

her position at Aboriginal Health. The Indigenous Circle at the School of Social Work would like to ac-

knowledge and thank Samantha Sansregret for supporting our students and our program. We hold our

hands up to Samantha for her dedication to social work practicum students. It should be noted that

Samantha was nominated for the Alayne Hamilton Community Social Work Award in 2009 .

This nomination was a tribute to Samantha to acknowledge the wonderful work that she has

done in our community. We wish you all the best in your retirement Sam!

Interview with Samantha Sansregret…

Maurie Kodakin: Can you tell me about how you

became a social worker?

Sam: I started out as a nurse when I was young, and I worked about 15 years in nursing and then I became a stay at home mom. When I chose to go back to school it was following taking a “Bridges” program, just for women, and for anyone who doesn’t know it, it was for women who had experi-enced abuse. I didn’t think that I wanted to go back to school, but I did want to work with women, especially Aboriginal women who had similar ex-periences . See, I didn’t see myself as a social worker, but the women who were doing the kind of work supporting other women, seem to have de-gree’s in social work. So I went back to school to Selkirk College in Castlegar and did two years of university prep work there, and then came to UVic

in September 2000.

In my first year I did general studies because I did-n’t have all the requirements to get into the school[ of Social work], and then I decided that I would stay with social work rather than play with sociology or something else. Back then it was called First Na-tions Social Work at the time, and it was really helpful, in that we were given a lot of time to ex-plore identity connections, and I realized that I had a right to call myself an Indigenous person. So I focused a lot time on those studies and on focus groups and it was really good for me, and I felt strong as a person. I am very grateful for the time we were given to do that. I graduated in 2003. A lot of my classmates went elsewhere to find work; quite a number went to England. I had a small con-tract with Tseycum First Nation and that was great, but then I did a course called “Applied Career Tran-sitions” and they had an optional internship and I

felt that was a good way for me to go.

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 5

Cont...Then I came in contact with a lady named Dar from VIHA in Aboriginal Health, about a hospital type of social work posi-tion. I learned in that Applied Career Transitions course, that what it was that I really wanted to do was to work with women that had some of the same obstacles as I had in the past. So, about two weeks after coming in contact with Dar, she got back to me and said she had an idea about a job, and it was fantas-tic. So I did my internship and a few contracts, and then I got my permanent position [at VIHA]. I actually wrote the business case for my job and I’m proud of that. I really encourage other people to do the same and go for their dreams, because that’s what you have the passion for and when you’re most likely to succeed, be willing to do the work, and fight for what you have to fight for. So it’s been great, and I am doing exactly what I’ve wanted to do and I guess that’s been kind of the best part. Working in the communities has lead to some good friendships and a sense that I have community. I have a Métis community here that I have been quite involved with, but I also have com-

munity outside of that sustains me.

MK: Can you tell me about your UVic community?

Sam: I have been lucky to stay connected. I have been on the Indigenous Advisory for a few years, a couple years in the Métis Nation of Greater Victo-ria; and they put my name forward to the “Elder’s Voices” to represent our community, and I felt both honoured and humbled– like the creator was telling me that it was time to grow up (laughter). So, I love the work there and meeting with the other Elders and learning from them, and I love being with the students and supporting them. I love learning about what they’re interested in, what their plans are, and then offering whatever support I can. I find that I don’t see just Métis students. Many students come and they just seem so eager and happy that someone is there and that they can just talk for a few minutes, and sometimes things are seeming pretty bad and they might be in tears and overwhelmed, and other times it’s just a quick visit and couple of words then they carry

on their way.

I remember that being in school is hard work and I tend to call it character building- it certainly was for me. There were many times I wanted to quit, because it just felt like there was so much to do and I couldn’t keep up. I was a single mom as well, had a heavy work load, and even physically I would get sick, and I see that with students now- they are often physically sick, because they work so hard, don’t get enough rest, and leave so much of the self care aside thinking that there is no time for that with their busy schedules. So I like to encourage [self-care] and also being a reiki practitioner, I sometimes use that- I’ve done everything from reiki to supportive words. I don’t have my lan-guage, but I know a little bit of it and I share what I know with students and they are so happy to learn, even just that little bit. I’ve also had university security guards come to me wanting to know what smudging is about and “what kind of tobacco, is it anyways?” (laughter), I’ve also had faculty come and talk about

Métis ways and the Elder’s Voices.

MK: When you were going to school, did you feel that there were any cultural places on campus, that you could go to visit and be

a part of, like the First People’s House?

Sam: I would go to the NSU (Native Student Union) when I needed to be somewhere that was safe and comfortable- it was good for that, but of course there wasn’t a formal way of having Elder’s around, but it did fill some of that which was missing else-where on campus. Having the First Peoples House is fantastic, because at least there is an Elder’s schedule and there is always someone that you can visit there. I’m hoping that when I’m re-tired that I will be there a little bit more. This last year I have been there every second Friday and I would be happy if I could be there a couple days a week, because Fridays are slow days, but right now that is the only day that I have off from my VIHA

job.

MK: So let’s talk about your retirement…when are you retiring?

Sam: I retire at the end of August, and I will be 65 years old. I know that I don’t have to retire, but I’m a little tired and need to

do some other kinds of work. I’d like to do more in the Métis community. It’s really a developing community, fairly new, and it’s still pretty common to meet people in the Métis community that have been hidden; where their Indigenous heritage had been hidden from them and/or they haven’t known for very long about their Métis family, so there is a lot of people eager to learn more and explore more. We try to give people more opportunities- we have a monthly potluck and it’s very well attended and you can see that people are yearn-ing for that community and connection. So, I’d like to focus on developing more Métis family and commu-

nity events. We’re a fun loving People; the Métis!

MK: Do you have any advice for Indigenous Social Work students or any Indigenous students wanting to pursue their

education or explore their identity?

Sam: My experience is that it’s been very rewarding to take that time for yourself. You certainly meet a lot of other people that are also very anxious to share their stories, where their families come from, how they found out about who they are, and many times you find out that most of us are related. I think it would be fairly reassuring for students to come and realize that they have family. We try to bring as many people as we can that know their history and language and other cultural pieces. I think there are a lot of people that know more than they think they know, but their families didn’t talk about it in terms of “we are Métis.” So we may have done a lot of things there were Métis, but we didn’t know it, and so there are a lot of people that have knowledge, but don’t realize how much knowledge they actually have, and it would be very honoring and reassuring for the individual if they can realize that they know more than they think they know, trust it even if they don’t know where it comes from, and say “this is

who I am.”

Finally, remember to honour all of our Elder’s, as well as our

young ones who are our bright lights

“Remember to honour all of our Elder’s,

as well as our young ones, who are our

bright lights.”

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 6

Artist’s Corner.. Featuring: Carla Rae Gilday, Dene Artist

“As being consistently taken by the mystical nature of our world, my paintings are a reflection of the multiplicity of layers in which we exist. Elements of the natural world, creatures from this planet and those beyond all seem to find a place within my work. Painting has been a huge part of my lifestyle throughout the last decade. I work with acrylic on canvas, showing in a variety of venues from restaurants and night clubs, to an ice castle. I also enjoy creating large scale pieces and have spearheaded the creation of four community funded murals. More recently, I have sought opportunities to perform ‘Live Paintings’, accompanying DJ’s and other musicians on stages at events such as the Victo-ria Jazz Fest, Earth Dance, and Diversity Festival, as well as numerous after-

hours parties and fundraisers, providing the elements of live visuals.”

—Carla Rae Gilday

Interview with Carla Rae…

Maurie Kodakin: Can you tell me about your background, where

you’re from, your family, and about your work?

Carla Rae Gilday: I come from a very creative family based in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. I am half Dene; my mother is Dene, and my father is from Toronto and is Irish and English. So, over the years, I’ve become sort of a world bridger between different cul-tures. But that also comes from my exploration through the En’owkin centre in Penticton and the west coast, so I feel like I’ve been influ-enced by quite a few different cultures, especially when it comes to my work. I have a couple different styles, one is more urban art based, where I do a lot of live painting at different types of shows often with DJ’s and painting up on stage; this art is very fresh, funky, and a hip urban style. It’s also very colourful, very playful, and kind of whimsical. Then, there’s another side to my work which is very north-ern based and a re-telling the stories of the Dene People, and through this I’m trying to preserve our traditional knowledge for future genera-

tions.

What I’ve found in some of my work, even though it’s based on northern stories, and because I’ve lived in Victoria for quite a while and on the west coast, is that there are definitely elements of west coast style infused into some the work I do. For instance, some of the trees [I paint] will have an almost Haida or west coast feel to them, but

definitely based on the stories of the north and my People.

It’s really important to have cultural preservation, and my future plans are to connect with my mother and create a book that’s based on Dene stories; she will tell the stories and translate them in English and

Slavey, and I will create the illustrations. Cont. on next page...

“Raven”

“Sisters”

“Neon- Live Painting”

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 7

MK: How did you come to Victoria?

CRG: It’s quite a story, I was quite a traveler when I left home and traveled all over the country and eventually found myself in Penticton at the En’owkin Centre, which is an Aboriginal arts cen-tre. I took Foundations in Aboriginal Art and that was a year program. It was quite an incredible little community; really community based, and there you could study in the field of writing, art, languages, and Indigenous law. From there I transferred to UVIC because they’re connected and decided to finish my Bachelor of Art Degree in the visual arts program at UVIC. After that, I travelled for a bit then came back and did graphic design for 10

months . I love the west coast; the ocean stole my heart.

MK: What inspires you?

CRG: Everything from my community to my dreams, especially nature. I spend a lot of time on the west coast; hiking, paddling, surfing, or anything else that has to do with the outdoors. Also, people definitely inspire me- individuals in my life play a huge role. As well as the Dene legends, and just getting back to my roots and remembering to bring those stories

into my work because it’s important.

MK: What is your favorite means of creating art?

CRG: Mostly acrylic on canvas. With the live shows I use acrylic or tempera on canvas, it’s basically my favorite medium. I also explore drawing and charcoal, but I have

yet to come out with a full body of work with that.

MK: Can you tell me more about the show that you have

going on right now?

CRG: It’s more in-line with my urban art style– it’s very colourful and fantasy like. It can be viewed in a funky little café called Mo:Lé in downtown Victoria at Pandora and Government. Yeah, there’s great exposure there, and people seem to be receiving it quite well, it tells lot of different stories of my own life and there are all sorts of charac-ters. Very colourful, very figurative, and almost cartoonish type of characters that come from another worlds, it’s pretty out there. I defi-

nitely explored the affectionate side of me, in this body of work.

MK: Do you have any other upcoming shows that people can look

forward to?

CRG: Not at the moment, but I am constantly doing live painting shows at the Sunset Room every month or so and volunteering with the “Power of Hope”, it’s a youth volunteer organization, basically organizing activities for youth, that are healthy and life affirming. I’m also helping to organize a festival that is happening in August, it’s an electronic music festival and I think it’s only a day long. I’ll be setting up the arts and crafts workshop’s, and then I’ll give a workshop with a friend of mine. By the end of the evening, we bring up 5 of the most interested youth, up on stage with the DJ and do live paintings so that

they can feel what it’s like to be a performer.

MK: Can you tell me a little bit more about your live paintings?

CRG: I’ve live painted in a few different places, and one is at an afterhours club which happens quite often and it’s called “Urbanheart Live” which is organized by a woman in the community named Kristen Grant. I go there about 10 pm in the evening and I paint until 6 am in the morning, and there are probably 5 or 6 DJ’s that play during the night. This past Saturday, there was a live Gypsy band and then several DJ’s afterwards, so I provided the live visuals which was filmed and projected on the dance floor walls, where people can sit in the dance room and watch the painting evolve. There are other projects that I’ve done where I’ve set up 8 canvases with black lights behind them, while being concealed be-hind this tent with a friend, creating the live visuals. The painting is appearing on the outside, but you can’t see us, you can only see the neon paint becoming into a story. I’ve also done my live paintings at the Victoria Jazz Festival with some good friends of mine, where I have divided the element of my visuals. Another festival is called Diversity, which is done with my partner who is a DJ. Often we’ll go to parties on Salt Spring and Texada Island, and he’ll do a set and

I’ll paint a mural. It livens up the festivals and it’s exciting.

MK: Interesting and incredible work…sounds to me like the music really inspires and guides the

direction of your paintings?

CRG: Definitely. The music, the dancing, and everyone that comes up to me and talks to me

influences what I create…it’s very lively!

MK: Amazing work! One last question…do you have any advice for young artists, perhaps Indige-nous artists who want to explore their craft and

talents?

CRG: I’m a big fan of cross-cultural art and con-necting with other cultures and other Indigenous Peoples. I would encourage creating art based on their stories, but as important as I think it is to stay connected with your roots, I think it is also equally as important to connect with other cultures, build community, and share those with each other. That is a part of world bridging, being

together, understanding each other, and growing together.

“The music, the dancing, and everyone that comes up to me and talks to me influences what

I create…”

“Windy Games ” “Seeds”

Medicine Dream (above left)

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 8

Amazing Events... Here are just some of the special events hosted by

Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and elder's at UVIC.

School of Social Work: Indigenous Specializations

• Brushing Off Ceremony & Sweat Lodge

• Honouring Ceremonies

• Student Orientation – MSWIS and BSWIS

• Practicum Fair

• Indigenous Advisory Council: meets quarterly to gather community input about Indigenous Specializations

programs.

Worked in Collaboration with:

First Peoples House

(http://web.uvic.ca/inaf/uploads/INAF%20Winter%202010.pdf) - for other Indigenous Events

• Indigenous Recognition Ceremony (November and June)

• Mini University Summer Camp

• Adult University Camp

Indigenous Speakers Series (Camosun College Aboriginal Education

& Community Connections and UVic School of Social Work)

• Sandy Grande – “Red Pedagogy and the Development of Critical Theory”

• Eden Robinson – “Monkey’s Beach”

• Betty Bastien – “Shifting consciousness: Why are we trying to Indigenize the Western Academy?”

• Taiaiake Alfred “Renewing Traditional Ways of Being Indigenous”

• Sakej Ward “Indigenous Political Wisdom: Understanding the trap of the Aboriginal rights doctrine”

Camosun College Aboriginal Education and Community Connections

• Open Door Clothing Drive – receive donations for Our Place

• Native Student Union- Stolen Sisters March- 2010

• I am a Witness March – Indigenous Child Welfare Research Network

Up-Coming Events:

School of Social Work Convocation

Wednesday June 16th, 2010 @ 2:30 pm

Indigenous Recognition Ceremony

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 @ 6:00 pm.

Indigenous Student Mini-University Camp Monday, July 5 and ends Friday, July 9, 2010.

The camp is open to students in Grades 8 through 11 who are of Indigenous ancestry (including non-

status, status, First Nations, Métis and Inuit) and who

are from British Columbia.

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 9

Book Review

As k i Awa s i s / C h i l d r e n o f t h e E a r t h

Edited By: Jeannine Carrière

“The adoption of Aboriginal children into non-Aboriginal families has a long and

contentious history in Canada. Life stories told by First Nations people reveal that the

adoption experience has been far from positive for these communities and has, in fact,

been an integral aspect of colonization. In an effort to decolonize adoption practices, the

Yellowhead Tribal Services Agency (YTSA) in Alberta has integrated customary First

Peoples’ adoption practices with provincial adoption laws and regulations. Introducing this

unique agency, the authors outline the history of First Nations adoptions and, through an

interview with a YTSA Elder, describe the adoption ceremonies offered at

YTSA.” (Fernwood Publishing, 2010)

Dr. Jeannine Carrière , is a Métis woman originally from the Red River area of Manitoba. Her educa-tional background includes a PhD in Human Ecology Family Studies, a MSW, a BSW, and a BA in Sociology. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Victoria School of Social Work in the Indigenous Specialization. Her research interests include child and adoption and issues of identity, mental health and Indigenous ways of knowing, and knowledge transfer. Dr. Carriere has several publi-cations in these research areas and serves on a number of volunteer committees related to Aboriginal child welfare. In 2008, she received the Adoption Activist Award from the North American Council on Adoptable Children. (NACAC). (Fernwood Publishing, 2010)

This newly published work of literature edited by femme extraordinaire Jeannine Carrière, is a spirited illustration of how adoptions in Canada should be handled today, when concerning Indigenous children. The ‘Forward and Dedication’ written at the beginning of the book sets the tone for the remainder of the work, by showing us that the teachings and stories shared in the book are sacred, because they are based on lived experiences, and Indigenous knowledge. Aski Awasis/

Children of the Earth uses storytelling complimented by comprehensive discussions from various authors, including Jeannine Carrière, to show us that customary Indigenous adoptions in Canada can remain holistic, while still working under the laws and regulations of the province and/or territory. This work also identifies how western concepts of identity, racism, and systemic barriers fail to nurture Indigenous children, fail to connect them to their culture, and keep Indigenous children from returning to their homes and communities. Finally, this publication stresses and signifies the importance of having Indigenous Elder’s involved in the adoption process. The work of the Yellowhead Tribal Services Agency (YTSA) is also showcased to demonstrate the success of the bridging of these two worlds; customary Indigenous adoption practices and government policies and regulations. The message from this body of work, is that cultural preservation, healing, and happiness for Indigenous children can happen when we all disseminate our unconditional love, dignity, and understanding for one another. I recommend this read for any individuals interested in learning more about Indigenous epistemology in relation to adoption practices and child welfare. Maurie Kodakin

“ The unexpected gift [in this work] was to discover how none of these custom adoptions

have broken down, which is different than the statistics we see on adoption breakdown for Ministry adoptions”

-Jeannine Carrière., May 2010

Volume 3, Issue 1. May 2010 10

Les Boulettes - Meatballs In a large bowl mix everything together and form handfuls of the mixture into large meatballs that are about 3" in diameter and place them into a large pot 1/2 full of boiling salted water. When all the meatballs are in the pot add enough water to cover and reduce to a very slow simmer for 2 - 3 hrs. Serving: Once the bullets are cooked remove from the heat and reheat enough frozen bangs for a meal on a cookie sheet in a 250 F oven for about 20 minutes. Ladle 1 or 2 bullets into a bowl along with the broth from the meatballs, then you can pull apart the warm bangs and let them soak in the broth.

2 cups Beef Tallow not vegetable oil (vegetable oil has a lower smoking point and tallow makes the bangs taste better) 5 cups lukewarm milk 1/2 cup melted Lard 1 tablespoon Salt 3 heaping tablespoons baking powder 10 cups flour

Here is a Traditional Métis Recipe for large friendly gatherings, guaranteed to warm your ribs and comfort your soul. Courtesy of Francis Regnier, Saskatchewan.

Li Beignes - Bangs or Crooked Fingers Beef tallow (processed beef or mutton fat) is not readily available anymore so you will have to render your own ahead of time. The way I have seen it done is to slowly melt suet (raw beef or mutton fat) in a roasting pan until you have enough tallow to fill at least 3/4 of a large cast iron pot. * Hint - The pot should have a lid so you can keep the rendered tallow outside during winter months until you are ready to use it without the worry of birds or other critters getting into it. To make the dough, mix the dry ingredients separately, and then in a large bowl mix the melted lard into the lukewarm milk. Now slowly add the flour mixture until you have soft dough that is not sticky. Cut off manage-able portions of the dough keeping the rest covered with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about a 1/4" thickness. Cut 4" square pieces of dough and then cut 3 even slits into the square. The next part is kind of an art, with oppos-ing index fingers alternating through the slits pinch 2 opposite corners of the square and pulls them to the center of the square and pinches these 2 corners together. Drop the Bang into the tallow which should be heated to about 400 F. Cook the Bang until is just lightly golden brown on one side then turn over a fork and repeat. Remove from the oil and place on to a paper towel to remove any excess oil. This whole process is similar to making doughnuts so the more help the better. Traditionally a group of Métis women would get together for several evenings and cook hundreds of them. They freeze them while they are still fresh and usually are kept stored in cloth/pillowcases in freezers until ready to eat at Christmas.

Les Boulettes et Beignes (a.k.a. Bullets and Bangs)Les Boulettes et Beignes (a.k.a. Bullets and Bangs)Les Boulettes et Beignes (a.k.a. Bullets and Bangs)Les Boulettes et Beignes (a.k.a. Bullets and Bangs) This is a traditional dish that we (descendents of Batoche Métis) have every Joyeux Noel

9 lbs Ground Beef 4 Onions (minced) 1-tablespoon salt 1-teaspoon pepper 2 cups flour

“My Mom remembers when she was young that they would also add stewed tomatoes into the bowl which was like adding a treat they rarely had. Nowadays the kids like to just add ketchup.” – Paul Nyland