sweetgrass july 2015 final

Alberta Sweetgrass - July 2015

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$5.00 + GST where applicableVOLUME 22 • NUMBER 8JULY 2015

THE ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER OF ALBERTA

WHAT'S INSIDE:

CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL# 40063755

By Shari NarineSweetgrass Contributing Editor

EDMONTON

For residential school survivorLarry Loyie, Premier RachelNotley’s apology means nothingif “it’s just a ceremony or a frillything.” It needs to be followed byaction.

On June 22, Notley became thefirst premier to formallyapologize to those who attendedresidential schools.

“As our first step, we want theFirst Nation, Métis and Inuitpeople of Alberta to know thatwe deeply regret the profoundharm and damage that occurredto generations of children forcedto attend residential schools.Although the Province of Albertadid not establish this system,members of this Chamber did nottake a stand against it. For thissilence, we apologize,” she saidin a ministerial statement duringsession at the AlbertaLegislature.

Notley went on toacknowledge the damage causedby forced residential schoolattendance – the loss ofcommunity, language and culture– and the intergenerationalimpact that has led to poverty,neglect, drug addiction, mentalhealth issues, and “great despair.”

She said, “True reconciliation

will only be achieved if we asgovernments and citizens arewilling to make a fundamentalshift in our relationship withthe First Nations, Métis andInuit peoples of Alberta.”

Loyie wants to know whatthis “fundamental shift” willlook like.

“(The apology) meansnothing to me if it’s comingfrom a person I don’t know, apolitician, who thinks she’sdoing something good and infact is not doing anything goodif she doesn’t move onsomething that could rectifywhat we, as children, wentthrough,” he said.

Loyie was forced out ofpublic school in Slave Lake atthe age of nine and into St.Bernard residential school inGrouard where he stayed forsix years. He travelled homefor summers unlike many of hisschool mates. Loyie was one ofseven siblings from his familyto reside at St. Bernard and wasnot allowed to speak Cree ortalk to his four sisters. He spenthis days piling wood andpicking potatoes.

Loyie tells his story, andthose of other survivors, inResidential Schools: Wordsand Images of Survivors, whichhe co-wrote with his partnerConstance Brissenden. The

book includes a passage fromEddie Smith, who arrived atEdmonton Indian residentialschool in 1931. Smith workedthe 346-hectare United Churchschool farm. He had someonewrite a letter to his parents: “Ijust went to school three dayssince I came here, this isn’t whymy father send me here to work,he send me here to go to schooland study hard to learn to readand write.”

“Even though Larry’s beenlooking at himself in (a)residential school relationshipand also over 25 years ofintense research, it’s still a veryemotional and passionatesubject for him,” saidBrissenden.

There were 25 Indianresidential schools in Alberta.The Truth and ReconciliationCommission has identified12,000 survivors in theprovince.

Loyie wants to see Notley’swords of apology followed byactions taken to “promote thehealing process.” Providingsuccessful educationalopportunities for the province’syoung Aboriginal population iskey, he says, as is educatingtoday’s students about Indianresidential schools.

Treaty 8 Grand Chief andMikisew Cree Chief Steve

Premier’s apology needs to be followed by actionCourtoreille says that indiscussions with newAboriginal Affairs MinisterKathleen Ganley, Chiefs havemade it clear that there are awide range of issues thatAlberta needs to step up to theplate on and not ignore becauseof jurisdictional conflicts.

“When it comes to children incare, education, housing,anything to do with FirstNations, we should all betreated alike and work together.(Ganley) agreed this would bethe way they want to work withus,” he said.

Courtoreille sees Notley’sapology as recognizingAboriginal people in theprovince and the first step inimproving relations.

“This tells me that thisgovernment really wants to dothings right the first timearound. Things will get betterthroughout our relationshipwith the newly-formedgovernment,” he said.

Notley also put her supportbehind the call for a nationalinquiry into missing andmurdered Aboriginal women,saying that “harsh realities”such as poverty, racism and lackof education had to beaddressed in order to tackle theissue.

“The Alberta government will

develop a renewed relationshipwith Aboriginal peoples, basedon trust and respect and taketrue action on these root causes,once and for all. Because weunderstand that truereconciliation is a matter ofaction, not just words,” she said.

Courtoreille was not surprisedby Notley’s statement, notingthat her campaign platformincluded a commitment toAboriginal peoples, somethingshe also addressed in her victoryspeech election night.

Edmonton schools move ahead withteaching about residential schools

Page 3

First Nations women at greater risk forstillbirths

Page 4

PHOTO: HAZEL MARTIALCelebrating Aboriginal peoplesNational Aboriginal Day was marked on June 20 and 21 in Edmonton with a number of activities including APTN's Aboriginal Day Live held at LouiseMcKinney Park along the river valley. In some cities across the province, National Aboriginal Day was commemorated with a week of activities.


2 A L B E R T A N E W SA L B E R T A N E W SA L B E R T A N E W SA L B E R T A N E W SA L B E R T A N E W S

Funding to address elder abuseTribal Chiefs Venture Inc., East Prairie Métis

Settlement and Nunee Health Board Society wereamong 19 organizations to recently receive fundingfrom the provincial government to help address andprevent elder abuse. The three-year $3-million ElderAbuse Co-ordinated Community Response grantprogram will allocate about $1 million per year. TribalChiefs Ventures will hire a coordinator to lead thedevelopment of a coordinated community response formember First Nations: Beaver Lake Cree, Cold Lake,Frog Lake, Heart Lake, Kehewin Cree, and WhitefishLake. Their partners include RCMP, Victims Services,Covenant Health, Alberta Health Services, and theTribal Chiefs Ventures Elders Advisory Committee.East Prairie Métis Settlement will hire an Elderscoordinator to develop a culturally sensitive, Métis-specific coordinated community response model.Partners include RCMP, Victims Services, AlbertaHealth Services, Métis Elder Abuse Program, MétisSettlement General Council, and the High Prairie andArea Prevention of Family Violence Association. TheNunee Health Board Society will hire a coordinator todevelop a coordinated community response model.Partners include the Mikisew Cree First Nation,Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Uncle Fred’s Youthand Elders Lodge, and the Regional Municipality ofWood Buffalo.

Australian Indigenous leaders learn from tar sandsbattle

Delegates from two Indigenous tribes fighting thedevelopment of the world’s second-largest coal mineon ancestral lands in Australia recently met withnorthern First Nations’ leaders in Alberta to discusssimilar struggles against oil sands development. The$16.5-billion Carmichael coal mine, proposed byIndian conglomerate Adani, would bring roads; a newtown with coal-fired electricity; a fly-in, fly-outworkforce; and a rail line to the ancestral lands of theWangan and Jagalingou people in central Queenslandin northeast Australia. The company’s offer ofcompensation for loss of property has been turneddown by the tribes. “We’re fighting the same issues,fighting the same people, fighting the same companies,fighting the fossil fuel industry, fighting ourgovernments to say this is not ok. We will not consent.We have not consented. And our right to either give orwithhold consent is being oppressed,” AustralianIndigenous leader Murrawah Johnson, who representedthe youth of the Wangan and Jagalingou tribes, told

New funding for Métis students at Lakeland CollegeLakeland College has established a special purpose

fund for awards for Métis students. Funding from theMétis Education Foundation of $130,000 in bursariesand awards will allow for the distribution each year oftwo to four awards worth between $2,500 and $3,500.To qualify for the awards, students must be of Métisheritage, Canadian citizens, and have a specified gradepoint average. The funding will help students who haveto deal with student loans or have to work part-timejobs in order to cover the cost of their education. Theagreement will go into effect for the upcomingacademic year and is expected to last for the next 15years. Of the 1,900 students that were at LakelandCollege last year, 130 were self-declared and studiedin various fields such as firefighting, ag business,environmental sciences, and practical nurseprogramming.

Opportunity for trades employment for Paul Nationyouth

Through an Aboriginal Youth Career Initiative inTrades and related career opportunities, as co-ordinatedby CAREERS: The Next Generation and TransAlta,Paul Band students in Grades 10 through 12 will havea chance for employment starting in July withTransAlta. In this program, students will go throughan application and interview process for a six-weekemployment period. At the end of the summer, studentswill have the chance to continue on as a TransAltaemployee, enrolled in the province-wide RAP program,earning high school credits, hours towards anapprenticeship and an hourly wage. “Our goal is tohave a positive impact on the communities around us,”said Darren McCrank, TransAlta’s director of Albertacoal services. Employment in other departments,including human resources, finance andcommunications, will be considered.

Smoking cessation program kicks offEkaya Pihtwaw, a tobacco cessation project launched

by the Samson Cree Nation, aims to prevent the use oftobacco among young people and adults; protect fromexposure to second hand tobacco smoke; promotecessation among smokers; and provide education andsupport to those who smoke to help them quit. EkayaPihtwaw is working with the First Nation communitiesof Samson, Montana, Louis Bull, Ermineskin andPigeon Lake. Between February and April of 2015, asurvey conducted by the project of 839 adults and 52youth determined that 45 per cent of the adultpopulation smoked daily and 28 per cent smokedoccasionally while 13 per cent of the youth (under 18)smoked daily and 22 per cent smoked occasionally.As well, 55 per cent of the current adult smokers startedsmoking when they were between the ages of 13 and16 years, so a priority of the project is to focus onprevention activities for children and youth. EkayaPihtwaw is funded by the First Nation and Inuit Health,Federal Tobacco Control Strategy.

Ground breaking for River Cree entertainment hallThe River Cree Resort and Casino, located on the

Enoch Cree Nation, marked the start of constructionof its new entertainment venue with a groundbreakingceremony on June 23. The new structure comes afterthe previous entertainment hall, “The Venue,” wasvoluntarily shut down in March after a due diligenceexercise revealed that the structure was not up to code.Start date for construction is scheduled for early Julywith completion set for September. The new tentstructure is 36 per cent larger than the previous venueat 28,000-sq. ft. and has a 2,500-2,600 person seatingcapacity, an increase of 700 seats. The structure isdesigned and coded to be a permanent building andwill be attached to the main resort and casino. “Movingforward we will continue to do our due diligence toensure that the safety of our guests, patrons andemployees remains our top priority,” said RobertMorin, River Cree Enterprises CEO.

Compiled by Shari Narine

APTN News.

Canadian government aware of oil sandsenvironmental issues

A document obtained under Canada’s access-to-information law shows that the Canadian governmentwas aware that contaminant levels exceeded guidelines,higher-than-expected atmospheric concentrations ofchemicals, and a lack of regional species such as martenand fisher, in the Alberta oil sands. The January 2015briefing note, prepared for Natural Resources MinisterGreg Rickford, discussed findings from a tar sandsmonitoring report published in December 2014. Whilehighlighting issues with contaminants and species atrisk, the briefing note did not directly linkenvironmental impacts to the oil sands, saying that “oil-sands-related pollutants in the environment aregenerally not at concentrations that give cause forconcern.” First Nations and environmentalists haveraised concerns for years and have criticized oil-sandsprojects for seepage and leakage of chemicals fromtailings ponds, affecting communities downstream.

Dickson not guilty of importing cigarettes toMontana First Nation

In June, a provincial court found Robbie Dickson,president of Rainbow Tobacco G.P., not guilty ofimporting millions of cigarettes without a licence forresale on the Montana First Nation. However, he wasconvicted of two other charges under the Tobacco TaxAct for possessing tobacco not marked for tax sale andfor having more than 1,000 cigarettes. Whether he willbe sentenced on those two charges will depend on theresults of a constitutional challenge that Dickson hasfiled. Dickson was charged in 2011 after the AlbertaGaming and Liquor Commission and the RCMP seizedalmost 16 million cigarettes from a warehouse on thereserve. The Alberta government said at the time thatit would lose $3 million in tax revenue if the“contraband” cigarettes were sold. Court documentssay the cigarettes were produced by Rainbow Tobaccoon the Kahnawake reserve in Quebec and shipped tothe Montana First Nation. Charges against CarolynBuffalo, Chief of the Montana First Nation in 2011,were stayed. A lawsuit filed in 2011 by RainbowTobacco and the Montana First Nation against theAGLC sought damages and the return of the seizedcigarettes, but the claim was dismissed. RainbowTobacco is located on Kahnawake Mohawk territoryin Quebec.

PHOTO: BERT CROWFOOT

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

National Chief visits schoolAssembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde visited Alexander First Nation school onJune 9. Bellegarde says First Nations are ready to talk to the federal government again abouteducational reform. Bellegarde also met with Premier Rachel Notley in Edmonton. Notley committed toimplementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.


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By Andrea SmithSweetgrass Writer

EDMONTON

The two largest school boardsin Edmonton are not waiting tolearn what the newgovernment’s intentions arewhen it comes to teaching aboutIndian residential schools.

Under PC leadership,curriculums for 2016 madeteaching about Indianresidential schools a mandatorylearning outcome for everyclass from kindergarten toGrade 12. But with no directionfrom the NDP, teachers and staffare taking their own initiative.

“One of the ways we shareabout residential schools is innew staff orientation. We talkabout historical andcontemporary realities for ourFirst Nations, Métis, and Inuitstudents, families, andcommunities, and we shareinformation, walk them through

Edmonton schools move ahead with teachingabout residential schools

PHOTOS: CITY OF EDMONTON’S COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

a placement activity, and havediscussions about it,” saidMelissa Purcell, acting programcoordinator with the FirstNations, Métis, and Inuiteducation unit of EPS. “It’scalled ‘Changing theConversation’… Through myexperience in facilitating it,every once in a while peoplecome up to me and say, ‘This isthe first time I’ve heard aboutthis.’”

The orientation is given to allstaff, from people in centraloffice to custodians, saysPurcell. And while theinformation can be heavy todigest, learning it is crucial toeveryone involved.

“We believe reconciliationand healing can be achieved byacknowledging the impact ofintergenerational loss oflanguage and culture as a resultof colonization,” she said. “Oneof our unit’s goals is to supportthat, and it could be through

professional learning, throughdeveloping resources, or goingto classrooms and modellingteaching strategies.”

EPS took an even bigger steptoward healing andreconciliation by co-hosting aconference for 700 studentsfrom Grade 9 up. Theypartnered with the EdmontonCatholic School Board and theCity of Edmonton, and held theJourney to Reconciliation event,marking the one yearanniversary for the nationalTruth and ReconciliationCommission event held in 2014in Edmonton.

“We provided sessions onresidential schools… What doesreconciliation look like, why dowe need to reconcile, what dowe need to reconcile,” saidAthena Mackenzie, an FNMIeducation consultant for EPS,and an organizer for the event.“This one was about givingstudents a voice, and giving

Students from Edmonton’s two largest school boards marched downtown following a day of learning about Indian residential schools and talking aboutreconciliation.

them information… the truth…that is not taught in schools.”

The event was a full-day ofseminars and groupdiscussions, ending with ayouth panel that saw threeyouth address schoolsuperintendents and theAssistant Deputy Minister forthe FNMI Division of AlbertaEducation, Jane Martin. Theday ended with a symbolic walkfrom Shaw Conference Centreto Churchill Square, as well asa short round dance.

“It’s a journey toreconciliation so we hope tokeep doing something everyyear with students onreconciliation, in partnershipwith the City of Edmonton, andEdmonton Catholic Schools…Because it’s about comingtogether,” said Mackenzie.

Even further work was donein this area with youngerchildren when the FNMIeducation unit of EPS brought

Margaret Pokiak-Fenton andChristy Jordan-Fenton, authorsof children’s book Fatty Legs,into EPS classrooms. Fatty Legsis based on Pokiak-Fenton’sexperiences in residentialschool. While relaying suchdeep and potentially traumaticinformation to elementary-agedstudents can be difficult, theillustrated book and interactiveauthor’s visit made the processeasier, said Rosemary Litschel,a Grade 4 teacher at Ekotaelementary school.

“They understand about hairbeing cut, they understandabout name calling, theyunderstand about being bathedin lice soap, and rubbing andrubbing and rubbing until theybled,” said Litschel, of some ofthe abuses she touches on withher students.

“But I haven’t gone anyfurther than that, because I havesome kids that wouldn’t be ableto handle more,” she said.


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N E W SN E W SN E W SN E W SN E W S


EDMONTON

Richard Oster is hopeful thata partnership between theUniversity of Alberta and anunidentified First Nation willresult in more womensuccessfully carrying babies tofull term.

“Our research group is …working in collaboration with avery large First Nationscommunity here in Alberta to tryand tackle, not just stillbirth, buthealthy pregnancies in general,”said Oster, a senior research co-ordinator for the Believing wecan Reduce AboriginalIncidence of Diabetes Researchgroup at the U of A faculty ofmedicine and dentistry.“Building relationships incommunities, buildingfriendships, building trust andtalking and addressing issuestogether, because we(researchers) know … that if wetry and use a program that mighthave worked in Edmonton or theinner city and we try and applyit to Aboriginal community itfails. We need to havecollaboration for success.”

Data gathered from 2000 to2009 shows a connectionbetween First Nations womenwith pre-existing diabetes andthe risk of stillbirths.

Oster and his research partnerDr. Ellen Toth, also with thedepartment of medicine with theU of A, examined close to

470,000 births in that timeperiod. Taking pre-existingdiabetes and other factors intoconsideration, they determinedthat First Nations women wereat a 70 per cent greater risk thantheir non-First Nationscounterparts when it came tostillbirths. The study waspublished in the Februaryedition of Journal of Obstetricsand Gynaecology Canada.Other risks included illicit drugdependence, alcohol use andsmoking. Stillbirths were alsomore common for First Nationswomen over 35 years of age,those with more than threebabies, and those with a historyof abortion, previous stillbirth orneo-natal death.

Overall, statistics indicatedthat First Nations women hadstillbirths at a rate of 1.7 per centcompared to non-First Nationswomen, who had stillbirths at arate of 0.7 per cent. The statisticfor First Nations women alsoincludes Inuit women. Métisand non-Status Indian womenfell under the non-First Nationscategory because of the waystatistics were collected byAlberta Health.

The rate at which FirstNations women experiencedstillbirths over those 10 yearshad not changed. While thesteady rate could be seen in apositive light, it also hasnegative connotations, saysOster, who notes that in otherdeveloped countries, the rate forstillbirths has decreased.

“Rates in Alberta have stayedstatic over 10 years … and Ican’t tell you why that is,” hesaid. “I don’t want to see anymore stillbirths.”

While the study did not assessmedical care received by FirstNations women when pregnant,Oster says he has anecdotalinformation that indicatesphysician visits could beimproved.

“We know that on average,First Nations women tend tocome in less often for theirprenatal care and perhaps comein later during their pregnancy,”said Oster. “We see that as anissue that could be playing arole.”

The upside with the role pre-existing diabetes plays instillbirths is that it’s a risk factorthat can be addressed.

By publishing their findings ina journal that deals with womenand birth, Oster is hopeful thatobstetricians and gynecologistswill become aware of the rolediabetes plays in stillbirths anduse the information to help theirpatients.

The findings have also beenpresented at variousconferences, which have beenattended by federal governmentofficials. Oster hopes that meansthe concern has come to theattention of Health Canada,which operates the First Nationsand Inuit Health Branch and hasresponsibility for the health andwell-being of First Nations andInuit people.

First Nations women atgreater risk for stillbirths


EDMONTON

The success of AmbrosePlace and renewed interestfrom funders have ralliedagencies working inEdmonton’s inner city toevaluate services and programsand identify gaps.

“We’re trying to buildcommunity in the inner city,”said Russell Auger, who led ameeting at Ambrose Place thatincluded representatives fromBissell Centre, Boyle StreetCommunity Services, E4CAlberta, Alberta NativeFriendship Centre, All SaintsAnglican church, and AmbrosePlace. Auger is a resourceperson with Spirit of Our YouthHomes Inc., which housesyouth, who have been takenfrom their families. “We needto work at the grassroots level.”

The most vulnerable peoplelive in the inner city yet barriersexist in accessing help. Waitinglists are long for what programs

are offered in the immediatearea.

And though there are a largenumber of services availablethroughout the city, inner cityresidents don’t havetransportation to headelsewhere. But it’s also aboutcomfort level, says Auger.

“The young and the oldpeople, they won’t migrate thatfar out. They need supportinternally. They need to find aplace they will feel comfortableto come to and there’s notenough of that going around inthe internal part of the city,” hesaid.

Also, not all programsavailable in the inner city canbe accessed by all Aboriginalpeople. And inner city agencieshave become more gearedtoward responding toemergencies and crisesintervention instead ofproactive programming.

“There hasn’t been a lot ofsuccessful programming …and that’s because the fundingavailable is just scratching the

surface of Aboriginal culture.Programs are started but notsustained,” said David Prodan,chair of the Urban CoreSupport Network, whichconsists of inner city agenciesworking as a catalyst forbringing about change in howservices are delivered in theinner city. Prodan is alsoprogram manager for E4C,which manages the McCauleyApartments, which offersaffordable housing in the innercity. His role, says Prodan,emphasizes the delivery ofworkshops, programs andevents annually, which seek tobring together tenants andlocals in order to buildcommunity.

And when there is funding,not enough of it is channeledin the right direction, saysMarlene Orr, assistant directorof Ambrose Place. The innercity apartment unit providesaffordable accommodations forthose in recovery.

More services need tosupport Edmonton’s innercity population

See More services on page 5.


5N E W SN E W SN E W SN E W SN E W S

Transparency in investigationswill help build trustBy Shari NarineSweetgrass Contributing Editor

EDMONTON

The building of trust is anongoing process, says CameronAlexis, outgoing AlbertaRegional Chief for theAssembly of First Nations,particularly when it comes tointeraction between Aboriginalpeople and the police.

In May, the Alberta SeriousIncident Response Teamreleased the results of itsinvestigation into the last ofthree shootings which tookplace in August 2013 andinvolved RCMP officers andAboriginal men. In all threecases, ASIRT cleared the RCMPofficers of wrong-doing. OnAug. 1, 2013, Curtis Hallockwas shot in the arm and legfollowing an incident in theVictor Lake Métis Co-opresidential area. On Aug. 3,2013, Lance Cutarm died andLarron Cutarm was injuredfollowing a traffic stop near Ma-Me-O Beach. On Aug. 15, 2013,Daniel Charland, 52, was shotand killed in a residence on theCold Lake First Nation.

While Alexis would prefer tosee such incidents dealt with bya First Nations tribunal, ASIRTis presently the organization thatrenders the rulings. ASIRT is anindependent body whichinvestigates incidents in whichpolice are involved in seriousinjury or death of any person.

“It’s important that ASIRT isabsolutely neutral, (that it)ensure that the evidencepresented and gathered showsimpartiality. Sometimes wedon’t like what the findings arebut that’s something we have tolive with,” said Alexis.

Susan Hughson, executivedirector of ASIRT, understandsthe importance of transparency.

“The way the Aboriginalcommunity gains confidence inASIRT is by knowing that we’retrying to be as transparent as

possible,” said Hughson.“Confidence is something that,quite frankly, has to be earnedand ASIRT’s definitely trying towork towards earning that trustand that confidence.”

Distrust of authority is well-grounded in history, she says,noting that the impact ofresidential schools (whereoftentimes RCMP took childrenaway from their homes) “isabsolutely horrifyingly farreaching.”

Hughson, who took over asexecutive director from CliftonPurves, has pushed transparencyto the point where she and teammembers have personallydelivered the findings to thefamilies. She says “lengthymeetings” were held inWetaskiwin in January with theCutarm family and Chief RandyErmineskin and council as wellas in Cold Lake in May withCharland family members,Elders and band councilmembers.

“I want them to understandthat I have respect for them andI believe they are entitled toinformation,” said Hughson“Sometimes the results thatapply to any given case are notgoing to make the family happy,may not make the communityhappy, but ASIRT’s job is to doa full and fair investigationwhere we can adequately assesswhat happened and come to aconclusion on that.”

Going to the families first andthen the communities andexplaining the evidence andhow conclusions were drawn isimportant, says Hughson, whonotes that often times thecircumstances surrounding theevent are neither well-knownnor widely-known.

“They’re very difficultdecisions to make and verydifficult discussions to havewith family members …because even if there is nomisconduct on the part of theofficer or any conduct that

constitutes an offence, it’s stilla horrible tragedy andsomebody has lost their life andthere’s nothing we can do tomake that better for the family,”said Hughson.

Alexis, a retired RCMPofficer, held the justice portfoliofor the AFN. He says meetingwith the family and communityis essential.

“I think that’s an importantstep … because it’s not just thefamily that’s been affected, it’sthe whole Nation, too,” he said.

Alexis says that after theAugust 2013 shootings,meetings were held with ASIRTand a resolution passed at theAssembly of Treaty Chiefs thatASIRT include Aboriginalinvestigators. Since that time,two full time and one part timeAboriginal investigators havebeen added to the team.

Those new members, saysHughson, have been importantin not only opening channels ofcommunication betweenASIRT and the Aboriginalcommunity, but in guidingASIRT in dealing with affectedfamilies in a culturally sensitivemanner.

Hughson notes that ASIRT isnot the only organization toinvestigate an officer-involvedshooting. Once ASIRT hascompleted its work and made adecision, a public fatalityinquiry takes place. The familyparticipates in this process,which allows them access todocuments and the evidence,including all of ASIRT’srecords. This is an open courtprocess in the presence of ajudge.

“The purpose of (the publicfatality inquiry), even thoughthere may have been nooffences committed, I think weall want to know that there’snothing that could have beendone better. And sometimes ifthere is something that couldhave been done better, then thatcan be addressed in the publicinquiry process,” said Hughson.

“It irks me when I hear aboutfunding organizations that arenow going to provide funding forIndigenous people withoutconsulting Indigenous people,”she said. Direction needs tocome from the grassroots.

There also needs to be morecollaboration between inner cityagencies. Resources need to bepooled between agencies,government and corporations.

But there also needs to be awill to make changes in the innercity.

“There has to be like-mindedpeople in a level high enoughthat government can hear,” saidCarola Cunningham, director ofNiginan Housing Ventures, thenon-profit organization that builtAmbrose Place. “But the peoplestill have a responsibility toprovide good programming tothe people who are herestruggling.”

“Not much comes from ameeting if all you do is talk aboutit. I want people to talk like theyreally mean it,” said DonovanShirt, who is a youth ambassador

More services need to support innercity population

with iHuman Society.Auger says the road ahead is

tough. Gaps between agenciesdo exist and his hope is that thesemeetings can bring thecommunity together to findsolutions.

“There’s a large group ofpeople that shoot through thecracks,” he said. “You’re notgoing to be able to salvage allthose people, a lot of them arejust going to die out there. Butthe ones who are willing to tryand make change, we have tofight for them.”

B I N G O B A S H E SB I N G O B A S H E SB I N G O B A S H E SB I N G O B A S H E SB I N G O B A S H E S

A Mother’s Day Bingo Bash was held at Heart Lake FirstNations. Joanne who works as a Water Plant Operatorhosted the Bingo Bash to raise money for the Head Start& Day Care programs. Joanne thought it would be a greatidea for the community to play Radio Bingo and to raisemoney for the community. Mother’s received astrawberry bouquet, and the door prizes included abread maker, microwave, vacuum cleaner and manymore great prizes. Thank you Delilah, Bonnie, Joanneand Toni for your warm hospitality and for inviting CFWERadio Bingo to your community events.

Bonnie from Crossroads Outreach School in Buffalo Lakehosted a Bingo Bash to raise money for the graduationfield trips. The graduation students helped with thespaghetti supper, 50/50 draw and raffles. I fell in lovewith the tiny mukluks made by Yvonne, so I had to havea pair.

In order to play radio bingo at the Peavine RecreationCentre on March 19, a tent was set up outside becausethere was no radio reception inside due to the metal roof.The stereo system equipment was inside the tent, so wecould broadcast the radio bingo game inside therecreation center. Toni organized a St. Patrick’s themebingo bash, and bingo players played stand up bingoprior to radio bingo which was FUN to watch.

How can you play so many cards at once?

I started the Bingo Bash circuit on February 9th byattending the Sweet Heart Bingo Bash at the Kikino MetisSettlement. Delilah organized a fundraiser for the gradsand seniors in her community. More than 54 bingo playerswere in attendance to support the Kikino community.

By Anna Giles - Radio Bingo Manager

( Continued from page 4.)

Didn't find your ideal career here?Find even more career listings online at: www.ammsa.comMore info: www.radiobingo.ca


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

Memorial marks deaths of those without adequate shelterRev. Travis Enright, who is of Cree background, leads prayers

and blessings at the tenth annual Edmonton Homeless Memorialon June 5. This year’s remembrance celebration honoured the livesof 47 men and women who died in the past year as a result of nothaving adequate shelter. The event is organized by a committee ofthe Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.

Poitras recognized by U of A with honourary degreeInternationally acclaimed visual artist Jane Ash Poitras was

presented with an honourary doctor of letters degree from theUniversity of Alberta during the faculties of education and Nativestudies graduation June 3. Poitras was born on the Mikisew CreeFirst Nation and orphaned at the age of six. She was adopted byan elderly German woman, who home-schooled her after beingtold by the education system that Poitras was mentally disabled.Poitras earned a bachelor of science degree in microbiology and abachelor of arts degree in printmaking from the U of A beforereceiving her master’s degree in painting and sculpture fromColumbia University. Poitras’ artwork, which uses layering ofpaint, ready-made images and text to explore issues and ideasrelated to the Aboriginal experience in North America, is displayedworld-wide. She is the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor ofAlberta Distinguished Artist Award and the National AboriginalAchievement Award for arts and culture. Poitras was previouslyrecognized by the U of A with an Alumni Award of Excellence.

Community strategy developed to end youth homelessnessA year of consultation by Homeward Trust Edmonton has

resulted in a community strategy plan aimed at ending youthhomelessness in the city. The plan provides a community-basedsolution that aligns provincial and local youth strategies and issupported by four core principles: the Housing First approach;stakeholder engagement; positive youth development; and,individualized and youth centred supports. These principles willhelp achieve the five goal outcomes set by Homeward Trust: safe,secure, stable housing, long term connections to supports, improvedwellbeing, education, and employment. This combination ofprovincial and local alignment in a strategy to tackle youthhomelessness is the first of its kind in Canada. “While we havesuccessfully housed youth through the Housing First program, wehave more that we want to accomplish,” said Susan McGee, CEOof Homeward Trust Edmonton. “The community strategy outlinesa local response to addressing Edmonton’s high risk and homelessyouth, and will act as a guide as we plan the youth programmingfor the rest of the year and beyond.”

Heart Garden: a project for reconciliationA public art installation of hearts was set up June 21 downtown

by RISE, a group of 30 socially active community memberscommitted to supporting reconciliation in words and actions. Thehearts were created, in part, through two work-bees held in thebasement of the Trinity United Church. RISE (Reconciliation inSolidarity Edmonton) hopes to provide an outlet for people todiscuss how to move forward as a community and have betterrelations with Aboriginal people, said co-founder Miranda Jimmy.The group came together over the last year since the Truth andReconciliation national event in Edmonton in March 2014. TheHeart Garden, an installation of hearts made of wood that includeswords of hope and wishes for reconciliation, will be displayed forthe summer in various locations.

WalkRun to end family homelessnessHomeward Trust’s third annual Homeward WalkRun, presented

by Yardstick, in support of the Urgent Families Initiative, was heldJune 13 at Louise McKinney Park. The event raised over $25,000,which will go to helping local homeless families find safe, secure,and permanent housing. “Since the start of the Initiative on Dec.1, we have engaged over 100 families that are experiencinghomelessness, and teams are working diligently to house themall,” said Susan McGee, CEO of Homeward Trust Edmonton. Over150 people of all ages participated in either an eight-kilometrerun or five-kilometre run or walk, followed by a one kilometrekids’ fun run.

Compiled by Shari Narine

PHOTO: PAULA E. KIRMAN


EDMONTON

Words have to be followed byaction. Edmonton Mayor DonIveson made that clear to a roomfull of residential schoolssurvivors, their families andothers in the Delta Hotel inOttawa at the closing event of theTruth and ReconciliationCommission.

He underscored his pointwhen he placed a declaration ofaction into the Bentwood Box asan act of reconciliation on behalfof the Big City Mayors caucusof the Federation of CanadianMunicipalities. The caucusrepresents 21 cities, whichcollectively hold half of thecountry’s population.

States the declaration, in part,“Today we declare that Canada’sbig city mayors committhemselves to learning from thelessons of the Truth andReconciliation Commission, andtaking action to ensure the needsand aspirations of Aboriginalpeople are fully acknowledgedin policy, and in the great citieswe seek to build. We standtogether today in committing toa new equal partnership withAboriginal people in Canada;one based on truth, dignity, andmutual respect.”

Iveson says the mayors of thelargest cities in Canada havecome to recognize both thechallenges and opportunities in“directing positive changes inour communities.” AndEdmonton, with the secondlargest urban Aboriginalpopulation, plans to lead.

“Working together we canshow the way for a new visionof a Canadian city, one that livesand breathes the treaty spirit, thespirit of respect and sharedprosperity,” he said.

In March 2014, Iveson wasinducted as an honourarywitness when Edmonton hostedthe TRC’s final national event.

“That proved to be atransformative experience forour city,” said Iveson. “(Thesurvivors’) stories were difficultto listen to but it was time forCanada and the world to hearthem.”

Edmonton declared 2014 as aYear of Reconciliation.

“That announcement kick-started our journey of buildingtrust and human relationshipsbetween Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people,” said Iveson,who admitted that building thosebridges will take longer than ayear.

But in that time frame, the cityundertook a number of steps topromote reconciliation.Workplace learning, whichincludes an understanding ofAboriginal culture, history andresidential schools, has beenimparted on the city’s 11,000employees. Ceremonial spacesare in the process of beingdeveloped within Edmonton, inplaces culturally significant tothe urban Aboriginal population.A youth leadership conference,

which included interculturaldialogue and future direction forthe city, was held in March. InApril, the Walrus Talks: AnAboriginal City was hosted. InMay, a symposium focusing onwestern Canadian Aboriginalarts took place. The Treaty 6 flagflies at City Hall and there isverbal recognition at events thatEdmonton is part of Treaty 6territory.

Now, council is consideringthe results of an on-line surveythat asked respondents tocomment on a way tocommemorate the Edmonton-hosted TRC event. The surveysolicited 91 responses, 36 percent of which came from peoplewho self-identified asAboriginal. Eighty-nine per centwere in favour ofcommemorating the event.Those not in favour expressedconcern that such acommemoration may be anindication that reconciliation hadbeen reached. Respondentsindicated that residential schoolssurvivors and Elders were themost relevant group to beengaged and such engagementneeded to be carried out in aculturally-appropriate manner.

On June 2, in Ottawa, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, on behalf of the Big City Mayors, placed aDeclaration of Action into the Bentwood Box, as an act of reconciliation at the closing eventfor the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

PHOTO: SHARI NARINE

Council to examine best wayto commemorate TRC-hostedevent


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: SUPPLIED

AltaLink celebrated National Aboriginal Day with performances byTreffery Deerfoot and the Blackfoot Medicine Speaks DanceCompany.

AltaLink supports Alberta Indigenous GamesAt its National Aboriginal Day celebrations on June 16, Alberta’s

largest electricity transmission provider, AltaLink announced a newsponsorship with the upcoming Alberta Indigenous Games, which willbe held in Edmonton from July 12-16. Over 1,000 youth participate inand benefit from the games held every two years. Revolving aroundthe theme of Reclaiming our Youth, the games include 12 special events,competitions in 10 different sports, a career fair, mentors, Elders,Indigenous arts, speaking, music and dance, and other gatherings.

Langevin’s name on bridge, school being examinedCalgarians are expressing opposing viewpoints on whether Langevin

Bridge and Langevin School should be renamed now that theconnection between Sir Hector Louis Langevin, a Father ofConfederation and advocate for residential schools, has come to thefore with the recent release of the summary of the final report of theTruth and Reconciliation Commission. Some, like Linda Many Guns,University of Lethbridge Native Studies professor, is adamant that thename be changed because of the association and its impact onresidential school survivors, while others, such as local historian HarrySanders, believe the name should be kept along with an explanation ofLangevin’s association with residential schools. Mayor Naheed Nenshisaid he is looking into the renaming and will bring it to council in theupcoming weeks. In the meantime, he is seeking the advice andperspectives of the city’s advisory committee, historians and FirstNations people, acknowledging that changing the name would beappropriate in light of the TRC’s recently released report.

Bow Valley College officials honoured with Blackfoot namesOn June 5, Bow Valley College president and CEO Sharon Carry

and Vice President Academic and Chief Learning Officer Anna KaeTodd were given Blackfoot names at a special naming ceremony inthe Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre on campus. The titles recognize thecommitment that Carry and Todd have made to ensure the success ofAboriginal students. Situated on traditional Blackfoot land, BVC hasstrong connections to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students,particularly through programs which are reflective of traditionalAboriginal practices. The name Niipaitapi Askinimatstohki, meaningLifelong Educator was bestowed upon Carry along with a traditionalheaddress for her leadership and accomplishments. Todd received thename Aapsinis Kimaakii, White Buffalo Rock Woman and presentedwith a walking stick to acknowledge her passion for hiking and loveof nature. The ceremony was led by Elders Leonard Bastien and PeterStrikes With A Gun with many dignitaries in attendance. In heracceptance, Carry alluded to the destructive impact of residentialschools, acknowledging that education is an aspect of the path towardreconciliation.

University of Calgary honourary degree recipientsSheldon Kennedy, Nellie Cournoyea and Jane Ash Poitras were

presented with honourary degrees at the June convocation ceremoniesat the University of Calgary. Kennedy was recognized at the June 8convocation for the faculties of environmental design, graduate studies,kinesiology and social work, with an honourary degree for bringing tolight the issue of child abuse by taking his own story nationally andinternationally. Cournoyea was recognized with an honourary degreeon June 9 at the Werklund School of Education and faculty of graduatestudies convocation. She is chair and chief executive officer of InuvialuitRegional Corporation. Formerly, premier of the Northwest Territories,Cournoyea, an Aboriginal land and constitutional rights advocate isalso a leader of public and Aboriginal governments and supporter ofdevelopment of the north and its resources. She is also recognized forpublic service and volunteerism. Poitras was recognized at the facultiesof arts and graduate studies convocation on June 10. Her visual art hasreceived international acclaim and she is highly sought after as alecturer. Painter, printmaker and writer, Poitras has created a new FirstNations lens in contemporary art. Her work has been shown in a numberof exhibitions, both solo and group, around the world and is found ina number of public, private and corporate collections.Compiled by Darlene Chrapko

By Darlene ChrapkoSweetgrass Writer

CALGARY

Using art, Springbank schooland Strathmore High Schoolstudents expressed theirempathy for those who enduredresidential schools, signifying anew beginning.

“They are all part of my ownhealing. I thank them for that.They give me a strong sense ofhope,” said Sheldon First Rider,who had attended St. Mary’s.First Rider was one of severalguest speakers at theReconciliation . . . Towards aNew Relationship event June 17,presented by the CalgaryAboriginal Urban AffairsCommittee to celebrate worksthat seek to build positiverelations between Aboriginaland non-Aboriginal citizens.

Under First Rider’s guidance,the Springbank students createdand displayed visual pieces thatexpressed their interpretationand understanding of theexperience of those forced toattend residential schools andsurrender all ties to their culture.

The reconciliation event,presented during AboriginalAwareness Week in CalgaryJune 15-21, was spurred by therecently released Truth andReconciliation Commission’ssummary report and its 94

recommendations.“This is an opportunity to

advance greater understandingof where we come from, ashared understanding to moveforward. It doesn’t right thewrongs of the past, but allowsus to create the future together,”said Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

While National AboriginalDay is marked on or near thesummer solstice in cities acrossthe country, Calgary dedicatesan entire week to honouring,recognizing and celebratingAboriginal culture at a varietyof events, hosted by Aboriginaland Métis-serving agencies.

Students of Strathmore HighSchool then presented NewBlood, a theatrical performancethat tells Siksika Chief VincentYellow Old Woman’s personalstory through a combination oftraditional Aboriginal andmodern dance, drumming,poetry and song to the lyrics ofPeter Gabriel, with a backdropof the artwork of GeorgeLittlechild.

“Everything conceivable youcan think of happened to me,”said Yellow Old Woman. Whathe remembered most werewords spoken by governmentofficials in reference to thepurpose of the residentialschools, words he hoped wouldbe addressed in song. WhenStrathmore High School teacher

Art provides “strong senseof hope”

Hayden Cutter, grandson of Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman, plays the lead in New Bloodperformance.

PHOTO: DARLENE CHRAPKO

Dianne Bertsch consulted withhim in the early development ofthe production, he shared thesewords with her.

“To kill the Indian in thechild,” were the words spokenin parliament that hauntedYellow Old Woman. He saidthat he could have been a bitterman, but learned to forgive. “Itall has to start from here,” hesaid, his hand on his heart. “Ithink you will be touched bywhat you hear tonight.”

Hayden Cutter, Yellow OldWoman’s grandson, plays thecentral role of the Chief in theproduction.

In his closing remarks WiltonGood Striker, an advocate foryouth, said that throughout hisjourney, including work with thenational parole board for thepast 20 years, he discovered themost successful programs arethose that help young people beproud and provided them withidentity; something that helpedthem to regain personal pride;and a reconnection to a spiritualway with a higher power. In hisview, the road to healing followsrecovery, restoration, renewal,and doing the right thing.

“When all those thingshappen, there can bereconciliation,” said GoodStriker. “It took a long time tocreate the situation and it willtake a long time to recover.”

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Anglican Archbishop and Primate Fred Hiltz accepts thesummary of the final report from Truth and ReconciliationCommission Chair Justice Sinclair. Said Hiltz at the closingevent in Ottawa, “We are humbled in the knowledge that wecontinue to share a responsibility to ensure that the task ofreconciliation does not end today but in fact begins today.”

PHOTO: SHARI NARINE

C A R E E R SC A R E E R SC A R E E R SC A R E E R SC A R E E R S

By Julie MacIsaacSweetgrass Writer

EDMONTON

Church bells tolled acrossthe nation every day for 22days last month. And,according to the AnglicanChurch leaders who led the 22-Day initiative, the bells tollednot just a tribute, but also a

Anglican bells mark reconciliation byremembering ongoing tragedy

By Paula E. KirmanSweetgrass Writer

EDMONTON

A new graphic novel tells astrong story about a youngAboriginal man who breaksaway from gang violence, butnot before ending up in jail.

The Outside Circle, writtenby Patti LaBoucane-Bensonand illustrated by KellyMellings, begins with Pete andhis mother’s boyfriend Dennis.The two men fight and Dennisends up dead and Pete goes tojail. Even in prison, Petemanages to keep up his gangties until a brawl there makeshim realize he has been a badinfluence on his youngerbrother Joey. Pete begins aprocess of rehabilitation whichincludes traditional Aboriginalhealing circles and ceremonies.

Author Patti LaBoucane-Benson is Métis and thedirector of research, training,and communication at NativeCounselling Services ofAlberta. She has a Ph.D. inhuman ecology, focusing onAboriginal family resilience,and says that The OutsideCircle is her doctoraldissertation in graphic novelform.

“When I completed myPh.D., my examiningcommittee encouraged me topublish my dissertation. But atthat time, writing for academiawas something I was not veryinterested in,” said LaBoucane-Benson, who lives in SpruceGrove. “I wanted to engage abroader Canadian audience inthe work that I had been doing.I am also a fan of the graphic

novel genre. So, after a fewmonths, I decided to work on agraphic novel that wouldfeature a story that wasgrounded in my 20 years ofwork experience, as well as thefindings from10 years ofgraduate studies.”

Graphic novels are embracedby youth and young adults, andLaBoucane-Benson has aimedto engage readers in these age

groups. The Outside Circle hasalso been well received by olderreaders, according toLaBoucane-Benson, becausethe graphic novel can be readin one sitting resulting in thereader quickly feeling the entireimpact of the story.

“I hope to engage allCanadians in a dialogue abouthistoric trauma, the over-representation of Aboriginal

Graphic novel depicts thesis work on violence andtraditional healing

people in jail, as well as hope,healing, and reconciliation,”she said.

LaBoucane-Benson askedartist Kelly Mellings to workwith her on The Outside Circleafter working together on legaleducation comic book projectsat Native Counselling Servicesof Alberta. Mellings lives inEdmonton and is an award-winning art director, illustrator,and designer, who co-owns thedesign firm Pulp Studios.LaBoucane-Benson says shewould like to work with him onfuture projects.

Most of all, she says, shewants to communicate throughThe Outside Circle that “theover-representation ofAboriginal people in theCanadian criminal justicesystem doesn’t have tocontinue. By supportingindividuals to develop a positivesense of Aboriginal identity,reconcile relationships, andself-determine their ownhealing path, theintergenerational transmissionof trauma and the cycles ofincarceration can be stopped.”

The Outside Circle ispublished by House of AnansiPress and available in bookstores and comic shops.

Author Patti LaBoucane-Benson (right) and artist Kelly Mellings launched their graphic novelThe Outside Circle at the grand opening of the comic store Variant Edition in Edmonton onMay 2.

PHOTO: PAULA E. KIRMAN

warning—things have got tochange.

Neil Gordon, Dean of theAnglican Diocese ofEdmonton, said that when theTruth and ReconciliationCommission concluded theirwork—compiling an accuratehistory of the children trappedin the residential schoolsystem and developing

recommendations for all levelsof church, state and society topromote healing and addressAboriginal issues in thecountry—Anglican Churchleaders wanted to mark theoccasion and make a statementabout their commitment to themovement.

See Anglican on page 11.


11S P O R T SS P O R T SS P O R T SS P O R T SS P O R T S

“We wanted to acknowledgethat the Truth andReconciliation Commission isfinished its work, and we’regrateful, but we also don’twant to put these issues on ashelf,” he said. “We’re notdone the work. There’s a realsense of grievance and hurt andit’s going to take generationsto heal, if ever. Our societylikes a quick fix. This is not aquick fix.”

So it was decided that fromMay 31 (the commencementof the closing TRC ceremoniesin Ottawa) to June 21(National Aboriginal Day) thebells would ring at all ofCanada’s 30 Anglicancathedrals in memory of thelives of the 1,181 missing andmurdered Aboriginal womenin Canada, a subject that haslong been neither seen, heard,nor spoken of.

“I think this is one of themajor things that needs to beaddressed in the reconciliationmovement,” said Iain Luke,Dean of the Diocese ofAthabasca and rector at St.James Cathedral in Peace

River. “It’s an open wound.There are family members outthere still feeling their absenceand the government appearsunable to address this.”

St. James Cathedral is one ofthe few still operating actualbells in a belfry. The bell rangover 50 times every day at12:30 p.m. (totaling 1,181 byJune 21).

There are two ways to ringtraditional church bells, saysLuke. At joyous occasions likeweddings and christenings, thetwo bells in the belfry are rungsimultaneously, resulting in anexuberant chiming, but at afuneral, only one bell is tolled,and the sound is solemn andmournful. At St. James, onebell was tolled, over and over,for the lives of the Aboriginalwomen lost or killed over thelast 30 years.

Luke tells the story of achurch in Montreal thatintended to ring the bell 1,181times every Wednesday. Thechurch managed to make it to300 before the rope broke.

“It just gives youperspective,” he said. “Toomany lives have been caught

up in this—even the ropecouldn’t stand this.”

Gordon’s All SaintsCathedral in Edmonton settheir automated church bellsound system to ring out 1,181times twice a week—onechime every three seconds for57 minutes.

Apart from tolling the bells,churches held vigils and spenttime learning from residentialschool survivors. Gordoncredits All Saints parishionerand local Elder Sharon Pasulafor organizing and leadingdaily services, which includedlistening to firsthand accountsfrom survivors, smudging andprayer.

“We hear about Indigenousissues,” said Gordon of the 22-Day initiative. “But we need totake the next step. Our societyis really bad for going fromone thing to the next thing tothe next thing—oh, there’s theresidential school thing done,let’s move on. We can’t do that.This is too serious. We need towork together, share together.Keep it in people’sconsciousness.”

Anglican bells mark reconciliation

By Trevor SolwaySweetgrass Contributor

SIKSIKA NATION

Qualifying for the 1Abasketball provincials for thefirst time in 40 years is aremarkable feat. But theBassano Broncos, an all-FirstNations high school basketballteam, have accomplished morethan that: they have inspired thecommunity the team memberscome from and established awinning basketball culturewithin their school.

“Not only does it help theNation by inspiring folks, but itspeaks volumes to what ourSiksika youth can do,” said TylerWhite, CEO of Siksika HealthServices.

The Siksika Nation boastsnine of the 10 players on theBroncos. A Carrier First Nationyouth, from British Columbia,rounds out the roster. The team’scoaching staff also consists oftwo Blackfoots and oneMohawk.

White says the team has setan example for First Nationsyouth.

The games were streamedonline, and the social mediaposts poured in from membersof the community. But pointguard Tristen Weasel Headdidn’t let the attention take awayfrom his focus.

“There was pressure, but it feltgood representing the reserve,”said Weasel Head. “I goteverything off my mind andstayed off social media.”

To many, it was surprising theBroncos made it this far. Justbefore the season got underway,Carter Solway, a long timestarter, announced he wastransferring schools. The bigforward left a huge hole to fillnot only because of histenacious style of play but alsofor his on-court leadership.

The team also had to deal withlosing their head coach. GordBramfield moved schools to be

closer to his wife.Despite leaving the team,

Bramfield says he knew theboys would work hard andwould carry themselves asgentlemen.

“I would’ve loved to havebeen their coach, to have seenthem through their year. But Ithink the boys had everything inthem to get the job done,regardless of who wascoaching.”

Vince Hill, a Mohawk fromthe Iroquois Six Nations, tookon that position.

“This is a hockey andvolleyball town,” said Hill.“We’re developing a basketballculture here, and you can see itin the junior high level, kids aremore enthusiastic aboutbasketball now.”

Ultimately, says Hill, theBroncos were unable to get intotheir groove, and dropped allthree of their games.

Forward Dakota Saddlebacksays it was tough losing likethat, but he knew he had tohandle it well because he had toset an example for youth backhome.

And set an example theBroncos did, winning thesportsmanship award.

“Hopefully ouraccomplishment inspires youthto pick up a basketball, but I alsohope our (sportsmanship) awardsets an example of how to play,”said Saddleback.

The tournament took place onMarch 19-21 in Hines Creek.The last time the Broncos madeit to the tournament was 1972.

There will be a significantturnover next year with six ofthe 10 players leaving in June,but Bassano is looking tocontinue its winning basketballculture.

“We’re going to lose somesignificant leadership with allthe graduates leaving but we’realready thinking of about thosekids who are coming up,” saidHill.

The Bassano Broncos: Braden Many Bears, Davey Jerry,Tanner Kenney, Owen Many Bears, Wacey Many Bears,Dakota Saddleback, Adam Solway, Blaine Solway, DezmanStrangling Wolf, and Tristen Weasel Head.

PHOTO: TREVOR SOLWAY

Siksika basketballplayers inspirepride in homecommunity

( Continued from page 10.)


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

By Andrea SmithSweetgrass Writer

ENOCH CREE NATION

A woman from the EnochCree Nation is breaking newground and inspiring others afterbeing awarded the Mrs. NorthAmerica Globe Classic title at apageant in Las Vegas in March.

Lisa Ground is the first FirstNations woman to claim the titleand has since been busyrepresenting the crown andacting as the nationalspokeswoman for Mrs. Globe’spartner charity, the W.I.N.Foundation.

“It’s such an honour. It makesmy heart happy. They taught meat the pageant how to be my bestself, and I count my blessings.That’s what the W.I.N.Foundation is all about,” shesaid.

Ground feels a personalconnection to W.I.N., a non-profit organization founded byDr. Tracy Kemble in 1996, thatspecializes in the “healing andempowerment” of women.W.I.N. is particularly focused onhelping women overcomedomestic abuse – a situationGround is well aware of as shewas in a violent relationship forover five years.

“I was in a very tragic andhorrendous relationship where Ihad to physically escape and Ihad police protection. I evengained so much weight. Iweighed 270 pounds fromdepression… I wasn’trecovering well,” she said.

Ground sufferedpsychological, emotional,sexual and financial abuse in therelationship and it took years toclear. At her heaviest, she hadto crawl up stairs and wascontinually out of breath. Andshe still has haunting memoriesof the extreme poverty she facedwhile in that relationship as shecared for her two daughtersAshley, now 25, and Mariah,now 19.

“We were not well off. Weused to do bottle drives and I’dspend $70 on groceries everytwo weeks. We’d have five

perogies for dinner... SometimesI’d give Ashley three and Mariahtwo, and I wouldn’t have any,”she said.

But Ground persevered. Sheattended women’s therapyclasses in Stony Plain to helpheal her pain. This is where shemet her current husband, whomshe said was a huge source ofsupport to her during herrecovery, and still is. She alsomanaged to lose all of her excessweight, going from a size 26—which was tight at the time—toa size four, sometimes a six,using only the help of Googlesearches and advice fromdaughter Ashley Callingbull.Callingbull is an actor featuredon APTN’s Catch the Dreamseries, and a fellow pageantwinner, so the two women arecurrently crowned title holdersat the same time.

“Sharing it with my daughterwho is Mrs. Universe Canada…it’s incredible,” said Ground.“She’s going to be competing inBelarus in August. It’s excitingand we’re both in our mode oflooking for our gowns. And weunderstand the struggles ofgetting our speeches togetherand keeping motivated.”

Ground recently had the joyof visiting her youngestdaughter, Amelia, 9, at school.Amelia specifically requestedher mother be allowed to comein and “show off her crown,”said Ground.

Ground still finds time towork with another charity of herchoice, the Stollery Children’sHospital Foundation. Shebecame involved with thefoundation after she gave birthto a baby girl in 2004 with adisease called Trisome 18. Thebaby died six days later.

“It’s the ‘Resilience factor,’”said Ground of the officialhashtag she chose to describeher personal struggles and herjourney to becoming Mrs. NorthAmerica Globe Classic. “It’sabout overcoming obstacles andjust finding that inspirationwithin yourself to make your lifebetter. For me, it was about notletting your spirit be broken.”

Lisa Ground: the first First Nations woman to hold the title ofMrs. North America Globe Classic.

‘Resilience’ leadswoman to pageantvictory

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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