sweetgrass march 2015 final

Alberta Sweetgrass - March 2015

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$5.00 + GST where applicableVOLUME 22 • NUMBER 4MARCH 2015

THE ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER OF ALBERTA

WHAT'S INSIDE:

CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL# 40063755

By Shari NarineSweetgrass Contributing Editor

LUBICON LAKE NATION

Billy Joe Laboucan, Chief ofthe Lubicon Lake Nation, saysthat even the smallest amount ofrevenue garnered from resourcestaken from his land would makea difference for his people.

“If we are able to just do twoto four per cent, we would be ableto pay for our own schools, paveour roads, have Elders’ facilitieson our land within thecommunities,” said Laboucan.“We would be able to have a goodeducation system which is thebasis of all prosperity.”

In a recent interview withAlberta Oil magazine, PremierJim Prentice referred to theLubicon Lake people as“arguably the poorest Albertans.”Prentice traveled to Little Buffaloshortly after winning his by-election last October. “This is acommunity that has no runningwater, where they continue tohave outhouses in the 21stcentury. Seventy-five per cent ofthe people don’t take part in thelabour force.”

Laboucan, who refers toPrentice as a “breath of fresh air”when compared to hispredecessor Alison Redford, waspleased with Prentice’s visit. Hewas also pleased with discussionsthat took place Feb. 18 in

Edmonton when Treaty 8Chiefs met with Prentice,Aboriginal Relations AssociateMinister David Dorward, anda handful of other ministers totalk about priorities andactions.

Among those actionsdiscussed, says Laboucan, wasresource revenue sharing.

“It’s one of the agenda items… revenue sharing and treatyentitlement,” he said. “We dealtin generalities … so the tableshave to be created in order tomove ahead with this.”

Resource revenue sharingwas also part of the discussionwhen Prentice and Dorwardmet with Treaty 6 Chiefs March4.

But Dorward is reluctant touse the phrase “resourcerevenue sharing” in talkingabout the development ofAlberta’s resources in movingforward.

“I don’t know that anybody’sdefinitely described to me whatresource revenue sharing is. …When people say those wordsto me, I try to go to the end andsay, ‘What are we trying toachieve here?’” said Dorward.“Alberta has no policy onresource revenue sharing, thosewords, but we certainly have adesire to have all Albertans,including First Nations people,be involved in the downstream

result of the development ofAlberta’s resources.”

Dorward says First Nationsare already experiencingeconomic benefits fromresource development withspin-off industries, contractedwork and employment formembers. But those economicbenefits could be increased ifFirst Nations collaborate witheach other or partner in jointventures with industry in thedevelopment of resources thatgo beyond the First Nations’reserve boundaries ortraditional area.

“Collaboratively workingtogether it may be time for FirstNations to come up with aproject … that would thenprovide dividends for thoseFirst Nations who wanted toparticipate,” said Dorward.

Such a global approach, hesays, could help First Nationsmake money to offset costs onreserves and to alleviate thegaps that exist in a variety ofareas including housing,education, health care andinfrastructure.

What a collaborative projectwould be is undefined, as is thesource of funding to jumpstartsuch a venture.

“But we’re not there yet. Ithink we have to find out thewho and what in general termsand then come up with a

“Dividends” for resource developmentpathway and then do some indepth work on a business planbefore you can … answer thosekinds of questions of how it canpossibly be funded,” saidDorward.

Moving forward on theconcept is now in the hands ofthe First Nations, he says,although the government willprovide support and assistance.Dorward adds that although oilprices have plummeted and theprovince is slashing expenses,now is the time for work tobegin on such a venture.

“These things generally takeyears and fives of years and tensof years and not months of timeand so probably about now is theideal time to do it in terms ofbeing ready to go when theeconomy changes around as wedo believe we’re in a cyclicalsituation more than we are acatastrophic situation relative tothe price of oil,” he said.

In March, the Working Groupon Natural ResourceDevelopment, a combinationAssembly of First Nations andfederal governmentundertaking, released itsfindings stating that FirstNations should receive some ofthe money generated fromresource development on theirlands.

“We strongly urge the federalgovernment, along with the

provinces and territories, tocome together with FirstNations to explore options forresource revenue sharing,” saysthe report.

“We have to be able to sharein the riches of this land andwhen we signed the treaties, wedidn’t give away the resources.As far as we’re concerned, thoseresources are still First Nations,”said Laboucan.

There is no date set for ameeting with Treaty 7 Chiefsand Prentice

Lack of fed dollars for firefightingLack of fed dollars for firefightingLack of fed dollars for firefightingLack of fed dollars for firefightingLack of fed dollars for firefightingforces First Nations to take stepsforces First Nations to take stepsforces First Nations to take stepsforces First Nations to take stepsforces First Nations to take steps

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Impact of Aboriginal investigators onImpact of Aboriginal investigators onImpact of Aboriginal investigators onImpact of Aboriginal investigators onImpact of Aboriginal investigators onASIRT already being feltASIRT already being feltASIRT already being feltASIRT already being feltASIRT already being felt

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PHOTO: INDSPIRE

Indigenous Achievers recognized at gala in CalgaryBack row, L to R: Gino Odjick (Sports); Gabrielle Fayant (Youth: Metis); Gerald Agjnderson (Environment & Natural Resources); Kendal Netmaker (Youth: FirstNation); Ron E. Scott (Arts) Middle row, L to R: Brenda La Rose (Business & Commerce); Kim Baird (Politics); Dr. Paulette Tremblay (Education); JordanKonek (Youth: Inuit); Roberta Jamieson, President & CEO, Indspire; Piita Irniq (Culture, Heritage & Spirituality); Madeleine Redfern (Public Service); WilliamJulius Mussell (Health); Wilton (Willie) Littlechild (Law & Justice). Seated: Elise Yanik (Lifetime Achievement)


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Land serves as classroom for learningLittle Buffalo school teacher Colin Mackay (left) and

Kevin Lewis made sure everything was ready to go fordog sledding around Marten Lakes. High schoolstudents from Little Buffalo, Atikameg and CadotteLake schools stepped out of a classroom environmentto experience land-based learning Feb. 17-20 at theMarten Lakes Wilderness Campus near Slave Lake.Nineteen students stayed in cabins to gather knowledge,develop relationships and build self-confidence. Thewinter camp was organized through the Kee Tas KeeNow Tribal Council and Northland School Divisionpartnership agreement.

Shell withdraws Pierre Mine project applicationRoyal Dutch Shell PLC has scrapped its plans for

the Pierre River Mine project, proposed for within theAthabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s protection zonenorth of the Firebag River. In a news release issuedFeb.23, the ACFN says cancellation of the project is a“clear sign that oil sands development is no longerbusiness as usual. Now more than ever we can see theserious economic, environmental and Treaty rightsissues in the region are affecting the status quo ofbusiness.” The Globe and Mail reports that Pierre RiverMine is another project scuttled by the steep declinein oil prices since last summer. Shell says it will holdon to the Pierre River leases and may apply to buildthe project in the future. Shell applied to build PierreRiver in 2007 and initially planned to start productionin 2010. The ACFN launched numerous legalchallenges of the regulatory process in the region andparticipated as interveners of the project since thebeginning. “We need to take advantage of thiseconomic downturn and change to ensure the necessarysteps are taken to safeguard the future for our people,our rights, and our environment. Like Shell, we needto focus on existing operations and find effective waysto mitigate current development in the region and moveto a prosperous and new future,” said ACFN ChiefAllan Adam.

Funding to OCYA cutA request in person by Child and Youth Advocate

Del Graff in February that the government restore$275,000 to his office’s budget was turned down. Themoney was cut as part of efforts by the province todeal with the drop in oil prices that has left a shortfallof $7 billion in the Alberta budget. At the same meeting,the committee voted to return $546,000 to the AuditorGeneral, who audits government departments andagencies. Afterwards, Progressive Conservative MLA

bringing mass casualties, derailments, collapsingbuildings and power outages. The emergencymanagement exercise, aimed at testing thegovernment’s response to potential disasters, is heldannually but this year’s was the largest and mostcomplex yet, said Municipal Affairs Minister DianaMcQueen. The mock ice storm took place at the endof February as a live exercise in Thorhild, as well as avirtual exercise in eight other Alberta communities.Students enrolled in NAIT’s Emergency Managementcourse also participated, getting hands-on experience.The government also urged Albertans to be aware ofthe risks and to have emergency kits available.

Wildrose moves up date to select new leaderWith the Progressive Conservatives ramping up for

an early election, the Wildrose Party has moved itsleadership selection to March 28. After receivingfeedback from members, constituency associations,and candidates, the Wildrose Party executive councilvoted unanimously to accelerate the leadership process.“We’re a grassroots party and members have been clearthey want a new leader in place before Premier JimPrentice breaks his own fixed election law. Our job asa party is to make sure the Wildrose is ready for anelection, whenever it may be called, and that includesgetting a leader in place,” said party president JeffCallaway, in a news release. Vying for the positionvacated when Danielle Smith crossed the floor to jointhe PCs in December, along with more than half hersitting members, are former Fort McMurray-AthabascaMP Brian Jean, former Strathcona County mayor LindaOsinchuk and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA DrewBarnes.

Keystone XL pipeline suffers major setbackPremier Jim Prentice has expressed his

disappointment at President Barack Obama’s decisionto veto approval of Keystone XL pipeline. The USCongress approved the project on Feb. 11, but on Feb.24 Obama vetoed the legislation. “The debate willcontinue and, just as I did during my recent visit toWashington, I will continue to communicate Alberta’srecord as a safe, secure and reliable energy supplier,and our strong support for Keystone XL and for allinfrastructure projects that advance North America’senergy interests,” said Prentice in a news release. FirstNations strongly opposed the Keystone XL pipeline,which would transport crude oil from Alberta to theTexas Gulf coast.

Compiled by Shari Narine

Genia Leskiw said the Auditor General’s funds werereinstated because “they find efficiencies and they keepthe various government agencies accountable for theirspending.” The OCYA was one of six independentoffices that suffered about $1 million in cuts in adecision made last December. The cuts come afterOCYA had its mandate expanded in May 2014 withadditional funding in order to assist investigating deathsof children under government care.

Increase in Aboriginal post-secondary studentsThe latest numbers indicate that more than 10,000

university and college students identify themselves asAboriginal, a figure 70 per cent higher than it was 10years ago. The number of Aboriginal students enrolledin Alberta’s publicly-funded post-secondary institutionshas increased from 6,236 in 2005 to 10,610 in 2013,according to Alberta Innovation and AdvancedEducation. However, that figure could be higher, saiddepartment spokesperson Kevin Donnan, as manystudents choose not to identify themselves with aparticular ethnic group. Although the numbers haveincreased, the province says more can be done and thereis a strong push for schools to try to get their percentageof Indigenous students to match the general population.

Federal funding to help with new elementary schoolSiksika First Nation will receive $8.9 million from

the federal government towards the completion of anew elementary school. The new building, which isset to replace the aged Crowfoot School, will be 3,319square metres and able to accommodate up to 300students from preschool to Grade 6. Construction isscheduled to begin in spring 2015 and completion isexpected in 2017. The money was allocated by thefederal government in the 2012 budget. The total costof the new school is $21.3 million, with Siksika Nationproviding the balance. “The development of a newschool facility is not only a key component incontributing to a quality education, but mostimportantly, ensuring our children are learning in a safeand healthy environment. We will continue to worktowards providing the highest education standards forour children,” said Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman,in a news release.

Mock disaster staged to test responseFirst Nations, along with representatives from all

levels of government, industry, and emergencymanagement agencies, participated in an exercise thatsimulated an ice storm sweeping across the province,

PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY NORTHLAND SCHOOL DIVISION

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EDMONTON

Fort Edmonton ManagementCompany has made acommitment to tell the story ofTreaty 6 people accurately atFort Edmonton Park.

“For too long the First Nationsin the area had little inclusionin the park and its programs.With the Memorandum ofUnderstanding we signed today,it is our belief that … an avenuefor meaningful dialogue hasbeen created,” said BerniceMartial, Grand Chief ofConfederacy of Treaty 6Nations.

The MOU, signed by Martialand FEMCo Chair Doug Goss,and witnessed by EdmontonMayor Don Iveson, is acommitment to ensure thatTreaty 6 is consulted in thecreation of First Nationshistorical and culturalprogramming as the park movesforward in creating theIndigenous Peoples Experience,which will include a $40 millionto $50 million pavilion.

To this point, said Iveson atthe Jan. 29 signing ceremony,the park’s history has been“unintentionally” the story ofthe settlers and colonization.

“(This) is an opportunity forus to fully tell the story of thisplace to each other and sharethat story in a rich and authenticway that is built on a foundationof respect more than anythingelse and that is the spirit that iscalled forth in Treaty 6,” he said.“I think (this) is a phenomenalstep forward for Edmonton.”

The city has also committed$20,000 to Treaty 6Confederacy for the

continuation of research todetermine the site where Chiefssigned the adhesion on Aug. 21,1877. It is believed the adhesionsite was either where the AlbertaLegislature sits today or justwest of that.

Goss said the MOU is a longterm commitment that meansmoving forward with dignityand shared understandingbetween the park and Treaty 6people and the partnership was“critical” as the park put fundingin place for capital development.

“What we build here isimportant but I would say muchmore important is how we buildit. What we build we must buildtogether,” he said.

Both Martial and Goss saidthe partnership being forgedcould serve as a model for doingbusiness both locally andnationally.

“This is the start of somethingtruly great,” said Goss. “I knowthis is going to be the foundationfor many, many other greatthings to come.”

“The events of today can serveas an example for the rest of thecountry,” said Martial,“hopefully lead to furtherparticipation and understandingaround the treaty.”

Elder John Ermineskin, of theErmineskin First Nation andchair of the Confederacy Treaty6 Elders Council, said it wasimportant that the past be leftbehind and that moving forwardwas done in a spirit ofcooperation.

“We all have to work together,we all have to understand eachother. That’s the only way thatthings will work out for thefuture,” he said. “If we can’t dothat, there’s no future for ourkids. So an understanding has tobe put in place at all times.”

Fort commits to accurate portrayal of Indigenous historySigning and witnessing theMemorandum ofUnderstanding betweenTreaty 6 and Fort EdmontonManagement Company are(front row, from left) EdmontonMayor Don Iveson, Treaty 6Grand Chief Bernice Martial,and FEMCo Chair Doug Goss;(back row) Former Chief AllanPaul, Chief Randy Ermineskin,Chief Rusty Threefingers,Chief Ron Morin, Former ChiefBrad Rabbit.

PHOTO: SHARI NARINE

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HORSE LAKE FIRSTNATION

Funding from the provincialgovernment and strong mutualaid agreements withneighbouring communities aretwo reasons why ChiefAdministrative Officer DarwinEckstrom expects Horse LakeFirst Nation will be spared thetragedy that befell a family on aSaskatchewan reserve.

On Feb. 17, a house fire onMakwa Sahgaiehcan FirstNation claimed the lives of twotoddlers. The 911 call wentunanswered by the neighbouringvillage of Loon Lake’s volunteerfire department. The lack ofresponse was due to unpaid billson the part of the First Nation, acharge backed up by a paper trailof correspondence from LoonLake to Makwa SahgaiehcanFirst Nation.

The tragedy has brought thestate of federal funding for fireprotection services underscrutiny.

“They can point fingers andblame people all over the place,but the reality is (fire protectionservices) are underfunded,” saidEckstrom.

Aboriginal Affairs andNorthern Development Canadafunds $26 million annually forFirst Nations fire protectionservices on reserve.

‘The health and safety of First

Nation communities is apriority; that’s why we providefunding to First Nations tosupport operations andmaintenance, fire protectioninfrastructure and fire protectiontraining on reserve - throughwhich First Nations manage fireprotection services on reserve tomeet the needs of theircommunities,” said departmentspokesperson Emily Hillstromin an email interview.

But when $26 million needsto be shared by more than 600First Nations, that is “notadequate at all, not even close,”says Eckstrom, who points outthat a new fire truck costsupwards of $250,000.

“Our standards should be at2015 but most of our (reserves)standards and training are at1950s. Just throw water onthings,” he said.

Deaths from fires on FirstNations reserves are 10 timeshigher than in similar off-reservecommunities, according to a2010 strategy on fire protectionby AANDC.

Horse Lake is presentlyupgrading its fire truck, whichis a 1992 model. Eckstrompoints out the First Nation isusing its own funding resourcesto do that work.

And to further combat theinadequacy of funding,Eckstrom accessed dollars fromthe province’s First NationsDevelopment Fund so HorseLake First Nation could enter

into a two-year partnership withthe County of Grande Prairie foradvanced firefighting skills andtraining to the reserve’svolunteer firefighters. Provincialmoney will also pay for up-to-date gear for the firefighters.

“The county’s been really,really good to us,” saidEckstrom. “We’re reallyfortunate that the people overthere are willing to come to ouraid.”

On Feb. 23, the County ofGrande Prairie approved amotion to send a letter toAANDC Minister BernardValcourt, with copies to PremierJim Prentice and to the region’sMP and MLAs, “requestingconsideration of financialsupport for firefighters and FirstResponders who are workingwith and responding to fires onFirst Nations communities.”

The Assembly of First Nationsissued a statement the dayfollowing the MakwaSahgaiehcan First Nation fire.

“We can all agree that nocommunity should be withoutproper fire protection andservices,” Said AFN NationalChief Perry Bellegarde.

“I don’t want to be around onmy watch to have people die …whether you’re a 90 year oldElder or a two-day-old baby. It’sjust not appropriate that this isthe type of standards that areset…. It would be such a terriblething to even contemplate thishappening,” said Eckstrom.

Lack of fed dollars for firefightingforces First Nations to take steps


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By Shari NarineSweetgrass Contributing Writer

EDMONTON

A new look for – and newpractices by - the AlbertaSerious Incident ResponseTeam has garnered support ona number of fronts.

“I’m very pleased,” saidMuriel Stanley Venne, chair ofthe Alberta AboriginalCommission on Human Rightsand Justice. Venne pushedASIRT’s previous director forAboriginal members on theinvestigative team.

ASIRT now, under thedirection of new executivedirector Susan Hughson, hasthree Aboriginal investigators,two full time and one on wage.Joe Verhaege has beenseconded from the RCMP towork in the northern office,while Tom Hewitt, whosebackground is with the CalgaryPolice Service, is working outof the south office. KyleMelting Tallow, from theBlood Tribe Police Service, ison wages with ASIRT and willbe pulled in when needed.

It was a spate of Aboriginal-involved RCMP shootings inAugust of 2013 that promptedVenne to call for a change in

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Impact of Aboriginal investigators on ASIRTalready being felt

sisters that they felt respectedin the way ASIRT treated thefamily in presenting thefindings. Verhaege helpedarrange the meeting, whichincluded Elders, opening andclosing prayers, and aceremonial blanket.

Verhaege’s expertise wasalso used when ASIRTinvestigated an RCMP-involved shooting in Manitobalast summer. On July 20, 2014,Evan Cromarty, 20, of NorwayHouse Cree Nation, was shotby an RCMP officer at afastball game at RossvilleDiamond in Norway House.Cromarty, 20, was wounded inthe shoulder and medevaced byair ambulance to Winnipeg instable condition. ManitobaJustice ordered theindependent investigation andASIRT responded by sendingfour investigators and a teamleader. The investigation hasconcluded and the completefile has been delivered to theManitoba government forreview and decision on how to

ASIRT’s make-up. At that timeonly Melting Tallow was an as-required member of ASIRT.But an ongoing investigationinto a BTPS member causedASIRT to distance itself fromthe First Nation’s police force.That investigation, which didnot involve Melting Tallow, hasconcluded.

“But of course with thegovernment restraints, it’sdifficult to use some of ourwage investigators … but it’sbeen made very clear that ouroperational needs will be met,”said Hughson.

Hughson engaged Verhaegein meetings with the Cutarmfamily in Ermineskin CreeNation in February, whenHughson met with the familyto present ASIRT’s final reportinto the death of LanceCutarm, 30. Cutarm was shotand killed by an RCMP officerfollowing a traffic stop nearMa-Me-O Beach on Aug. 3,2013. Based primarily on thestrength of an audio recordingof the incident, the RCMPmember was cleared.

While the family was“certainly … not happy withthe results” of theinvestigation, Hughson saysshe heard from Cutarm’s

proceed, says Lynn Crawford,communications officer withASIRT.

“I sincerely believe, all thereports that I got, once ASIRTarrived, in particular when JoeVerhaege arrived, the climatecompletely changed becausepeople felt they could trustspeaking to him and felt muchmore comfortable speaking tohim. When they first went in,it was very, very volatileenvironment,” said Hughson.

“I have so much respect forJoe Verhaege, because heunderstands Aboriginal peoplevery highly,” said Venne. “Heis a good police officer.”

While Venne is pleased thatASIRT was successful inrecruiting Verhaege as aninvestigator, she says it is alsoa loss not to have him as anactive member of the RCMP.

In Alberta, results have beenpresented in two of the threeinvestigations ASIRTundertook that involved RCMPofficers and Aboriginal men.Two Grande Cache RCMP

officers were cleared of wrongdoing when Curtis Hallock wasshot in the arm and legfollowing the Aug. 1, 2013incident in the Victor LakeMétis Co-op residential area.Still outstanding is the incidentof Aug. 15, 2013, when RCMPofficers shot and killed DanielCharland, 52, the subject of anarrest warrant, after aconfrontation developed at hishome on Cold Lake FirstNation. The investigation hasconcluded, says Hughson, butshe needs to review the file.She plans to have one of theAboriginal ASIRTinvestigators act as a liaisonwith Charland’s family andcommunity.

“Whenever there is a seriouscase I’m very alive to the factthat a family has lost a lovedone and they have every rightto be informed and I want tomake that process as sensitiveas possible and if that includescultural sensitivity for theprocess, definitely we will dothat,” said Hughson.

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

Annual event lights ravineA teepee glows in the darkness of the Mill Creek Ravine during

the Flying Canoe Adventure. The annual event took place on Feb. 6and 7 and is a combination of French Canadian and First Nationslegend, which was told by lost canoeists along a trail in the ravine.The area was illuminated by colourful lanterns and artwork and twoteepees offered tea and bannock. There was also music, a snow slide,and children’s activities near by at La Cite Francophone.

New fund at U of A for Aboriginal studentsA new fund has been established at the University of Alberta to

provide more scholarships, bursaries and awards for Aboriginalstudents. It will also enhance Aboriginal teaching and learningexperiences and enable more programming to support the traditionaland spiritual aspects of Aboriginal life. The Carl Amrhein AboriginalStudent Fund has already raised $500,000. Amrhein, who was U ofA provost and vice-president (academic) over the past 12 years, wasa passionate advocate, consultant, counsellor and friend to theAboriginal community. More than 1,000 Aboriginal students fromacross Canada attend the U of A, which offers 34 different awards,scholarships and bursaries to Aboriginal students. “For me,(Aboriginal engagement) is the place where we have come very far,but it’s also the place where we have an enormous distance yet togo,” said Amrhein, who plans to continue a “blended career” doingresearch for the Conference Board of Canada, teaching andundertaking research for the U of A’s Faculty of Science, andcontinuing work with the Alberta government.

Youth access shelters receive additional fundingFunding from Homeward Trust Edmonton will keep two youth

warming and access centres open until April 30. The centres, operatedby Youth Empowerment & Support Services and Boyle StreetCommunity Services and opened since mid-December, tie intoHomeward Trust’s winter emergency response strategy. Both BoyleStreet Community Services and YESS Armoury have programmingfor high risk youth, as well as programming tailored for Aboriginalyouth and youth engaged in high risk behaviours. To date, theArmoury has an average of 27 youth visiting a day, with a total of1,111 youth drop-ins since it opened, while Boyle Street CommunityServices average between 30 and 40 youth during its operationalhours. “The provincial youth homelessness plan and the final 2014Homeless Count, both … reflect an ongoing need to support ourhomeless youth population,” said Susan McGee, CEO of HomewardTrust Edmonton. Homeward Trust is working toward a permanentYouth Hub, to open later this year. The Youth Hub will be part of acommunity strategy on youth homelessness in Edmonton that willcomplement and work within the provincial 10 year plan to endhomelessness. The 2014 Homeless Count estimates a total numberof 340 independent homeless youth (aged between 13 and 24) in theCity of Edmonton.

Front line workers trained in trauma careMore than 150 people working with Edmonton’s Aboriginal,

refugee, immigrant and vulnerable youth populations attended a two-day training session related to trauma-informed care. The conferenceoccurred just ahead of the one year anniversary of the Truth andReconciliation Commission’s national event in Edmonton, whichdrew thousands of people affected by Canada’s residential schoolsand demonstrated the urgent need for trauma-informed practice.Opening keynote speaker was artist Aaron Paquette. Trauma InformedEdmonton is presented by the Urban Core Support Network and itspartners: the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Service, NiginanHousing Ventures, and REACH Edmonton.

Compiled by Shari Narine

PHOTO: PAULA E. KIRMAN

By Paula E. KirmanSweetgrass Writer

EDMONTON

The sixth annual RubabooFestival took place in earlyFebruary. This year’s event sawa number of changes, and moreare on the horizon.

Rubaboo is a Métis-Michifword (mixture of French andIndigenous) for a stew made onthe trap line. The festival,organized by Alberta AboriginalArts, is multi-disciplinary,showcasing theatre, music,dance, art, food, family, andyouth events, as well asworkshops. As the only majorAboriginal arts festival in Alberta,it gives artists a forum andplatform for art, growth as artists,to contribute their work to thecommunity, and to bringaudiences of all backgroundstogether to enjoy the vast artisticexpressions that exist inIndigenous culture.

The major change this yearinvolved the date of the festival.Originally held in June in honourof National Aboriginal Day andMonth, moving the festival to

February will help Rubaboocontinue to gain momentum, asit coincides with other Aboriginaltouring productions and eventssuch as Talking Stick, MagneticNorth, and High PerformanceRodeo, says Christine SokaymohFrederick, Alberta AboriginalArts’ artistic director and co-founder.

“In June of 2013 we held theNorthwestern Touring Presenters’Gathering at the Rubaboofestival. This was a specialinitiative to bring Aboriginal andnon-Aboriginal presenters fromacross Canada together to discussa potential network for presentingAboriginal works in Canada. Indirect response to the discussions,we transitioned Rubaboo fromJune to winter time,” she said.

According to Frederick, thenew date proved advantageous asaudience numbers doubled.Rubaboo will remain a winterfestival, although the specificdates will shift according to thedates of similar festivals inCanada.

Several of this year’sprogramming highlights includeda visual art display at Gallerie

Cite, performances by localAboriginal artists at the openingcelebration of Winter CitiesShake-Up, at the WinspearCentre, and various other eventsfeaturing local Aboriginal artistsin the areas of visual art, poetry,music, drama, and dance.

“We have had internationaltalent in past years, but this yearwe hosted local talent, and thosefrom the surrounding regions, aswell as from across Canada,” saidFrederick.

The final event of Rubaboo wasa fundraiser, with a silent auctionand mixer social. Many of thepieces for the auction weredonated by artists and EdmontonMayor Don Iveson attended andspoke on the importance ofsupporting the work ofAboriginal people.

More changes are alreadybeing considered for next year’sRubaboo Festival.

“We want to build on the goodrelationships we started this yearas well as ones we developedwith the IndigeNetwork to bringin more touring shows andinternational connections,” saidFrederick.

Lana Whiskeyjack paints while Lakota Tootoosis dances during the second Rubaboo FusionNight on Feb 5. Two artists were invited to paint live in front of audiences and rift off of otherperforming artists.

PHOTO: MARC J. CHALIFOUX

Rubaboo emerging as a majorAboriginal festival


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: SUBMITTED

Cree Big Plume from Tsuu T’ina Nation will compete in MissUniverse Canada pageant in Toronto in May.

Tsuu T’ina beauty to compete in Miss Universe Canada pageantCree Big Plume, of the Tsuu T’ina Nation, is headed to the

preliminaries of the Miss Universe Canada pageant, which willdetermine Canada’s representative at the annual Miss UniversePageant. Big Plume, who works as a treaty researcher in the bandoffice’s land claims department, was scouted by Patti FalconerAgencies. Big Plume said she was hesitant at first because of herbusy schedule but decided not to pass up the opportunity. “It tiesin with honour, volunteering, being a role model, and a good humanbeing,” she said. Big Plume will compete in Toronto on May 16against 64 other contestants from across the country.

Victim Identified and Man Charged with First Degree MurderAfter seeking assistance from the public, the Calgary Police

Service was able to identify a man seen with Dawns Baptiste,prior to her death. Baptiste’s body was found in a yard on Feb. 12,2015, in the Whitehorn area of the city. Late in the day on Feb. 14,Curtis Jade Tyson Healy, 25, was arrested. It is alleged that Healymet Baptiste on Feb. 11, and they travelled around the city by C-Train. Around midnight, both left the train at the Whitehorn Station.It is believed Baptise was assaulted, dragged into a nearby yardand sexually assaulted where she succumbed to her injuries. Healywas charged with first-degree murder.

7th Annual Valentine’s Day Memorial MarchOn Feb. 14, the 7th Annual Valentine’s Day Memorial March

took place at Scarboro United Church. The annual MemorialMarch, which is held in cities across the country and internationally,seeks to raise awareness about violence against women and bringabout change. Although violence affects all women, the MemorialMarch planning committee has stated that Indigenous women as agroup face compounded risks and are five times more likely to dieas a result of violence. The committee also shares the fact thatwhile most women are at a greater risk of assault by an intimatepartner, Indigenous women are equally at risk of assault by astranger.

8th Fire Gathering to be held at University of CalgaryThe 8th Fire Gathering will take place on March 13-15 at the

University of Calgary. The gathering will focus on presentinginformation on the Idle No More movement and address a host ofissues such as human rights, workers and union rights, AboriginalTreaty rights, Indigenous Sovereignty and Canadian Sovereignty,the environment, community activism, progressive politics, the2015 federal vote and Canada’s future. Among the guest speakersare Derek Nepinak, Tantoo Cardinal, Beverly Jacobs, JaniceMakokis, Shannon Houle, Tanya Kappo, Sylvia McAdam and NinaWilson. The overall aim of the gathering is to share knowledgeand expand networks to enable action and positive change.

St. Mary’s University fosters Aboriginal CultureSt. Mary’s University has developed a number of innovative

programs to support its growing enrollment of First Nations, Métis,and Inuit students. Close to Siksika and Tsuu T’ina First Nations,St. Mary’s is recruiting and supporting FNMI students, who areunderrepresented in post-secondary. Its FNMI Advisory Councilis leading the way to encourage and support FNMI students. TheElders on Campus program makes Elders available to students byappointment. Casey Eagle Speaker and Edmee Comstock leadcultural and spiritual ceremonies, which will include transferringa buffalo robe to St. Mary’s in a March event. Special initiatives,such as the Ghost River Rediscovery Project, will give students anopportunity to undertake a nine-day journey exploring the linkbetween First Nations culture and nature.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko

By Darlene ChrapkoSweetgrass Writer

CALGARY

“Narcisse, if you met him,he touched your life forever,”said Michelle Thrush at amemorial to honour the livesof Kainai Elder NarcisseBlood, and Michael Green, co-founder of Calgary’s OneYellow Rabbit Theatre.

Blood’s and Green’s liveswere taken in a tragic multiplevehicle crash north of Reginaon Feb. 10. Two well-knownSaskatchewan artists, MicheleSereda and Lacy Morin-Desjarlais, were also killed inthe accident, which happenedon wintry roads as the grouptravelled to a school on PiapotFirst Nation. A fifth person,Morley Hartenberger, alsodied in the accident.

Thrush, board member,actor and co-director ofMaking Treaty 7, was amongseveral of the cast members tospeak of the loss of the twoextraordinary men at a tributeheld in their honour Feb. 16.Blood and Narcisse hadworked on the groundbreaking production ofMaking Treaty 7, acontemporary interpretationof the signing of Treaty 7,which gives voice to theAboriginal people and settlersof southern Alberta. Bloodwas cultural and spiritualadvisor and Green wasfounder and the visionary ofMaking Treaty 7.

Throughout the ceremony,Blood and Green weredescribed as communitybuilders and by the cast ofMaking Treaty 7, as family.

“We succeed by generouslysharing opportunities witheveryone….We’re all in ittogether,” said Calgary MayorNaheed Nenshi. “MakingTreaty 7 was one of Michael’sgreatest extraordinary worksof art . . . a work of communitybuilding to acknowledge ourshared history and talk about

our shared future.”Referring to Narcisse as his

uncle and mentor, Beric ManyWounds, from Tsuu T’inaNation said, “We are creatingstories for a hopeful future, afuture that puts aside all theviolence and degradation thatwas. The work we did with theMT7 family was bringing usto a place of shared humanity.”

Despite the unfathomableloss, the MT7 family isdetermined to carry on. ManyWounds said, “We are alltreaty people. We mustcontinue this work.”

Thrush said that the mostbeautiful part of the Making

Professional, communitytributes for loss of two artists

of Treaty 7 was listening to theElders Green brought togetherand seeing their storiestranslated to art.

“Narcisse Blood was anamazing soul,” she said. “Welistened and we cried and welaughed and we shared storiesheld deep within this land.”

No tribute to Blood wouldbe complete withoutacknowledgement of histrickster side.

“One of the coolest things hebrought into my life every daywas humility and jokes,” saidCowboy Smithx. “We have along road ahead of us. MT7 isgearing towards a huge showin 2017. We need thecommunity to rally.”

Blood was remembered byhis Kainai community as atrue Niitsitapi, a giftededucator, compassionate anddedicated to Kainai historyand cultural teachings, anartist, and a film maker. Bloodserved on his band council inthe 1990s and was an advisoron cultural exhibits andhistory. He taught at theUniversity of Lethbridge, theInternational IndigenousStudies program at theUniversity of Calgary and wasco-founder of the KainaiStudies program at Red CrowCommunity College. Mostsignificantly, he isremembered for teachingothers the meaning of beinghuman.

Michael Green (above) and Narcisse Blood(top): over 1,500people gathered to share collective sorrow and pay tribute tothe artists at Calgary’s Jack Singer Concert Hall.

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8

By Darlene ChrapkoSweetgrass Writer

CALGARY

Indspire LifetimeAchievement Award recipientElsie Yanik epitomizes a life ofgiving and kindness. At age 97,altruism is at the core of herbeing. “I love people,” shesaid. “I never look at theircolour; I look at their heart.”

Yanik was recognized forher commitment to health,education and Indigenousheritage, exemplified by herservice as president of Voice ofNative Women of Alberta, 10years of work with the YoungOffenders Board, and hercontinued work as an Elderwith Keyano College. Forthese contributions to hercommunity, she has received ablessing from Pope John PaulII, a Governor General’sCommemorative Medal and,most recently, an honouraryLaw Degree from theUniversity of Alberta.

Yanik was one of 14recipients of the 22nd annualIndspire Awards, the highesthonour bestowed upon FirstNations, Métis, and Inuitpeople, celebrated at the

younger, who want to come onthe show and want to learn. Wementor them on set,” he said.“It’s really part of what I liketo do to give back to thecommunity.”

Known widely for his workwith the Truth andReconciliation Commission,Dr. Wilton Littlechild, of theErmineskin Cree Nation, wasrecognized in the area of lawand justice. In 1976, hebecame the first Treaty FirstNation person to receive a lawdegree from the University ofAlberta. He was a Member ofParliament from 1988 to 1993for the riding of Wetaskiwin-Rimby, served on many seniorHouse of Commons’committees, and was theparliamentary delegate to theUnited Nations.

“For me I think I can onlyreally thank my grandparents,who raised me to pursueeducation, because they didn’thave that opportunity, so it wasup to me I suppose to take thatchallenge on, so it’s been reallya blessing,” said Littlechild,who is also recognized for hispioneering work in Indigenousrights globally.

For Littlechild, law andsports go hand in hand. He isnot only a dedicated athlete,but also a builder of sports, hesays. For his sports prowess,he has won more than 70provincial, regional, national

and internationalchampionships and wasinducted into seven sportsHalls of Fame. As a builder, hefounded the North AmericanIndigenous Games, the AlbertaIndigenous Summer Games,the Western Canada WinterGames and the WorldIndigenous Games, which willtake place for the first time thisupcoming September inBrazil.

“Now, we’ve accomplished asense of what I always thoughtwas possible which was toshowcase our athletes – that wecan compete with anyone elsein the world,” said Littlechild.

The other two Albertarecipients were Brenda LaRose and Gabrielle Fayant. LaRose was recognized inbusiness and commerce forcreating her own highlysuccessful employment searchfirm, Higgins International,specializing in placingIndigenous executives in seniormanagement roles, board, andexecutive positions in manysectors and industries. Youthrecipient Fayant, co-founder ofyouth led organizations, workswith a number of nationalAboriginal organizations,including the CanadianCommission of UNESCO’sYouth Advisory Group. As apsychologist, she works tobring traditional healing to bearupon mental health.

Indspire Awards showcase Aboriginalcontributions, achievements

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

Southern Alberta JubileeAuditorium in Calgary on Feb.27. Chosen from hundreds ofnominations by a jury of pastrecipients, five of this year’saward recipients are Albertans.

In addition to the crowningaward of LifetimeAchievement, the IndspireAwards recognize outstandingindividuals for theire x t r a o r d i n a r yaccomplishments, dedication,and excellence in the areas ofthe arts; business andcommerce; culture, heritageand spirituality; education;environment and resources;health; law and justice;politics; public service; sports;and youth.

As founder, president andexecutive producer of PrairieDog Film and Television, RonE. Scott was recognized in thearts. Scott has receivednumerous awards for hisproductions, and is well-known for the award-winningtelevision show Blackstone,going into its fifth season thisspring.

“It came unexpected to me,and I’m just honoured andhumbled to be included inwhat this means in the

community and what it meansto non-Native Canada whenit’s broadcast on TV,” saidScott.

Scott takes pride inintroducing young aspiringactors and producers to theindustry and mentoring them.

“What we do on the TVseries Blackstone is weaggressively look forproduction people, who are

PHOTO: INDSPIRE

Elise Yanik (left) accepts her Lifetime Achievement Award from Roberta Jamieson, IndspirePresident & CEO


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

By Julie MacIsaacSweetgrass Writer

EDMONTON

Alexandra Lazarowich hasbeen on both sides of the cameraand that experience has told herthat the non-traditional woman’srole of creating the story suitsher better than telling the story.

But her years as an actresshave helped prepare her for lifeon the other side of the lens.

“Part of what makes me agood producer was being a notso successful actor,”Lazarowich, who acted from thetime she was 10 until she was21, said with a chuckle.“… That’s when I realized I hadto make roles for myself.”

Lazarowich started at thebottom, volunteering on filmproductions around Edmonton,getting coffee and listingequipment. She realized this washer true calling—being part ofthe creative team that worked tomake fantasy a reality. A positiveand easy-going attitude soonlanded her some paying gigswith ANAID Productions(developers of the popularCanadian reality series X-Weighted and The Rig) and theNative Counseling Services ofAlberta, where she worked as aproducer for five years.

While Lazarowich says thatfemale producers, particularlyAboriginal women producers,are rare in show business, shebelieves that women areuniquely suited to the role.

“Honestly, I find women areoften better (at it) because aproducer has to be good at doinglots of different things at thesame time and women so oftenhave to manage lots of things allat once—family, work, chores.You have to be a brainstormerand a problem-solver. It’s multi-tasking in the extreme. Andevery woman I’ve ever met hasbeen a problem-solver,”Lazarowich said, adding that in

Film producer Alexandra Lazarowich with acclaimedCanadian director Sturla Gunnarsson. The director was onhand to teach a portion of the Aboriginal DocumentaryTraining course offered by Canada’s National Screen Institute.

Alberta actress tellsthe story frombehind the lens

one day on set the problemscould range from not having theright coffee on hand for thetalent to trying to wrangle ahelicopter for an aerial shot in amatter of hours.

“Having a little femininecharm can help you in somesituations,” Lazarowich saidthoughtfully when asked abouther experience as a womanrunning the show in what is stillprimarily a man’s world. “Andit can work against you in others.And so you’re constantlynavigating that. But if you workwith great people—and there areso many out there—you alwayssucceed. And by succeed, I meanget a film made and do justiceto the story.”

This February, Lazarowichand director Cowboy Smithxbegan a journey to tell the storyof the virtually unsung Canadianheroes of WWII—the Cree codetalkers from northern Alberta.Information on the subject wasdeclassified in 1963. The film isbeing made as part of theNational Screen Institute ofCanada’s AboriginalDocumentary training course.The course picks four producer-director teams annually to takepart in the year-long productionof a documentary short to befeatured in any number ofnational film festivals.

As for the next generation ofAboriginal women looking totake their place behind thecamera, Lazarowich saysstarting at the bottom and havingthe patience and grace to workyour way slowly up the ladderis the key to success.

“It takes time,” she said. “Youget a little better and it gets alittle easier. You find where yourtalents are, and you learn frompeople who are more talentedthan you.…It’s a really great joband I love it. I love finding ourstories in our communities…andfinding people to help me bringa vision to life.”

PHOTO: SUBMITTED


10 D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G


FORT McMURRAY

Blended learning – acombination of on-line andvideoconferencing – andstraight on-line learningprovide a much neededopportunity for adult studentsin the Regional Municipality ofWood Buffalo to improve theirlives.

“It’s learning anytime,anywhere,” said CatherineKoch, vice-president academic,at Keyano College, “and thenpeople have access to thingsthey wouldn’t otherwise have.”

It also allows students, manyof whom have othercommitments such as childrenand jobs, to remain in theirhome community.

Although Keyano College’smain campus is in the WoodBuffalo centre of FortMcMurray, the collegeoperates adult learning centresin Fort McKay, Gregoire Lake,Conklin, Janvier and FortChipewyan. Each centre has aninstructor and an instructionalaide; is equipped withclassrooms, computerlaboratory, and librarymaterials; and serves as acommunity access point for theeCampusAlberta and Alberta-North initiatives.

“It’s really hard to get thepeople the courses that youwant when you only have oneor two teachers in a centre, sowe’re doing more blendedlearning,” said Koch.

Keyano has turned to AdobeConnect, which allows thecollege to offer teachers withspecialized training.

“We have a teacher in

Conklin but don’t have anystudents physically located inConklin right now, but she’sthere’s at our centre, and shegets on-line with a camera andshe teaches courses to studentsin Fort McKay, Janvier, in FortMcMurray and in Fort Chip.We have someone in Fort Chipdelivering, we have someone inFort McKay delivering othercourses so it’s a way for us,using technology like that, tohave the right specialist in frontof the classroom,” said Koch.

When curriculum,knowledge and practiseschange on a continual basis insuch subjects as math,chemistry and biology, it isimportant to have teachers,who have the expertise.

Age range for adult learnersis wide, anywhere from 19years old in to their 40s. Thereasons for upgrading are alsowide, with some participantsnever having graduated fromhigh school and others havinga high school diploma that isover 10 years old. Numbers ofstudents upgrading in thismanner have increasedsubstantially, says Koch.

Two years ago, KeyanoCollege went beyond simplehigh school upgrading at theirsight in Fort Chip to offeringspecialized upgrading forstudents to qualify for trainingin carpentry. This year,upgrading will begin with aneye toward entrance into awelding apprenticeshipprogram, an option Keyano ispresently exploring for FortChip.

Operating satellite sitesprovides future students forKeyano College, says Koch.After achieving their high

Distance learning opens doorsschool diplomas, some studentstravel south to Fort McMurrayand enroll in businessadministration, officeadministration, universitystudies and trades.

In February, Keyano Collegeguaranteed another choice fortheir satellite students. Thecollege signed a memorandumof understanding with theUniversity of Alberta that willallow the college to offer a four-year Bachelor degree inelementary education.

“It’s really important,because it guarantees that wewill be able to offer degree-level programming for teachereducation for our region,” saidKoch. While the college has

graduated three cohorts ofstudents in the past with anelementary education degreefrom the U of A, it has neverbeen a program that Keyanohas been able to count on.Usually, as Keyano does notgrant degrees, students taketheir first two years of theirdegree program beforetransferring to U of A.

Now, the 32 students whohave enrolled for theSeptember 2015 offering of theelementary education degreeprogram will be able tocomplete their full four yearsin Fort McMurray as well as getplacements for practicums inthe north. Local corporatepartnerships, such as with Shell

Canada, help offset the costs ofhousing and transportation tonorthern communities forstudent placement.

“There’s such a need forteachers in our region alwaysand we have a growingpopulation, particularly ayoung population (because) wehave a really high birth ratehere,” said Koch. “(Graduates)stay in the area and they gethired by local boards so it’sreally good locally and theylove our teachers.”

If students have to travelsouth to complete their B.Ed.,chances are they will not bereturning to the Wood Buffaloregion to begin their teachingcareer, says Koch.

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11D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N GD I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G

By Sam LaskarisSweetgrass Writer

FORT McKAY

Julia Soucie is hoping to takeadvantage of an Aboriginalcomponent that will soon beadded to the Alberta Recreationand Parks Association’s HIGHFIVE program.

ARPA has been runningHIGH FIVE since 2007. Thetraining program focuses onhow coaches, leaders andinstructors can enhance thequality of sport and recreationprograms in their communities.But until now, very few of thosetrained have been Aboriginal.

The HIGH FIVE programwas developed with the beliefthat the experiences childrenhave with their recreation andsports events help to shape themin their adult lives.

Also, the better preparedthose running programs are thebetter the chances they will havethe tools and knowledge tocreate positive experiences foryouth.

Since the inception of theHIGH FIVE program, about3,500 people across theprovince have been trained inhow to implement it in theircommunities.

Substantial funding recentlyreceived by ARPA will allowthe program to focus onAboriginal leaders inAboriginal communities.

Soucie, who lives in FortMcMurray, works about a 45-minute drive north of the citywhere she is the director of theFort McKay Wellness Centre.

Since 2012, Soucie has beeninvolved with ARPA’sCommunities ChooseWellprogram, which promoteshealthy eating and healthyliving.

Soucie is now hoping she willbe among those chosen to betrained in the HIGH FIVEprogram.

“I think it would be anamazing opportunity to beinvolved with that,” she said,adding many First Nationcommunities do not have the

financial resources to sendofficials to initiatives such asthis.

Fort McKay is primarily aFirst Nation and Métiscommunity. About 700 peoplelive in Fort McKay.

Soucie helps run an after-school program for about 100youth, aged 6-17. Besidesvarious recreational activities,the program also providestutoring and homeworkassistance.

Allie Pratley, ARPA’schildren and youth programsco-ordinator, said the newfunding ARPA has received willremedy the lack of Aboriginalparticipation in the program byenhancing that component.

For starters, the RBC andCanadian Sport for Life LearnTo Play Project gave ARPA a$25,000 grant in December.This was followed up with$17,000 in funding from theTelus Community Foundation.

Pratley is hoping to kick offthe program’s Aboriginalsegment soon.

New training will enhance children’s lives inAboriginal communities

“I’m currently trying to find12 participants to do thetraining,” she said.

Pratley is working withofficials from the AlbertaNative Friendship CentresAssociation to identifypotential trainees.

Once program participantsare chosen, the week-longtraining sessions are expectedto be held in or near Edmonton.

Pratley is thankful a pair oforganizations have comeforward to help launch theAboriginal segment of theHIGH FIVE program. She’shoping others also step up toprovide additional money tohelp the program grow.

“It would be nice to have alittle bit more (funding),” shesaid. “But I can make it workwith what we have now.”

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12 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 Andrea SmithSweetgrass Writer

BEAVER LAKE CREENATION

A member of the Beaver LakeCree Nation is this year’s recipientof the Canadian Council forAboriginal Business’s LifetimeAchievement Award. Mel Bensonhas been recognized for havingmade a significant contribution tothe economic growth anddevelopment of Aboriginal people.

“I received an email to call theorganization... I called them and Iwas sitting in my home office chairand I almost fell off the chair,” saidBenson of the moment he foundout about his award. “I was deeplyhumbled, because of the peoplewho’d gone before me. I also hada feeling of pride that my peerswere recognizing me.”

Born near Lac La Biche,Benson grew up in the small town.It was a poor community, andpoverty and racism made lifedifficult for the high number ofAboriginal people living there, hesays. Benson faced the samebarriers to his success that manyAboriginal people face—poverty,lack of access to education, andlack of funding for thateducation—but eventually foundhis way into what he called a“fascinating” career in the energysector.

“I’ve worked in west Africa,Russia, and Australia. I had awonderful career in oil and gas andin that career I had a chance to workwith minority groups,” saidBenson, who is president of hisown company, Mel E. BensonManagement Services Inc.. “WhenI was in Canada, I had theopportunity to work with FirstNations and Métis.”

Benson started out as a“communications guy” beforemoving into human resources,operations management, andfinally project management. Heonce worked for ExxonInternational, but retired. He is thechair for Suncor Energy’s

compensation and environment,health and safety committee. Andrecently he accepted a position withthe University of Alberta’s LandInstitute. In all of the work he hasdone, Benson says he has made anexceptional effort to include thevoices of Indigenous people.

“Because it’s an oil industry,you’re also impacting the localpopulations, and I think it’sabsolutely essential you listen, andyou listen well,” he said.“Particularly with Canada’sAboriginal people. It’s critical theyunderstand the impacts and thepotential and they participate in themain stream economy, because asAboriginal people, if we don’tparticipate… we’ll continue to belooked down on as second-classcitizens.”

After a lifetime of hard work andmany successes, Benson says he is“slowly” trying to retire. He hasfive children, including a set oftwins not yet four years old, and alife partner he thanks forsupporting him through everything.Because he feels he’s been soblessed, he also feels the need to“give back” as much as possible,and has been involved in a numberof charities. And though Bensondoesn’t feel his success is uniquefor an Aboriginal person in Canada,he acknowledges the path isn’talways easy.

“More and more we’re seeingAboriginal people doing things andparticipating in higher levels... Sowhile it’s a tough, slow process, ifwe’re given an opportunity to getto the starting line, we caneffectively compete,” said Benson.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Businessman, entrepreneur recognized withlifetime achievement award

sweetgrass march 2015 final

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