Calgary Aboriginal News Briefs - January 2015

Staff and volunteers from The Mustard Seed were thrilled with the donations of hams and turkeys from Calgarians during its annual Turkey Ham Jam, held at four Calgary Co-op stores. 

Turkeys, hams and chickens collected for Mustard Seed hampers

On Dec. 6, The Mustard Seed, Calgary Co-op and Country 105 collected frozen turkeys, hams and chickens to distribute as part of the Christmas food hampers that The Mustard Seed provides to individuals and families. Four Calgary Co-op locations participated in the drive, accepting the donations at Macleod Trail Centre, Crowfoot Centre, Shawnessy Centre and West Spring Centre. The 2014 Turkey Ham Jam resulted in donations of more than 300 turkeys and hams and nearly $3,000 in cash donations enabling The Mustard Seed to assemble and distribute 462 food hampers with all the fixings. The Seed was also able to donate 40 turkeys for the annual Bannerman Dinner, held at Victory Outreach for hundreds of people in need on Christmas day.

The Calgary Police Service has issued public information and a warning about the release of inmate Charley Laurence Henderson, 22, from Winnipeg to Calgary. Henderson completed a 20 month, 20 day sentence and three-year probation for sexual assault and indecent assault. Henderson, who also has a history of assault with a weapon and armed robbery, is now monitored by the CPS High Risk Offender Program and Probation. Described as an Aboriginal male, 6’4” tall, approximately 235 lbs. with brown hair and eyes, Henderson committed his past offences in Winnipeg. After careful deliberation of related issues, the CPS determined it in the best interest of the public to inform the Calgary community of Henderson’s release for precautionary measures. 

Black Diamond Group signs $27 million in camp contracts

Black Diamond Group’s Nehiyawak Aboriginal limited partnership has secured a 703-bed, nine-month guaranteed man-day camp contract for an integrated Canadian oil company south of Fort McMurray in the Conklin region. The camp will house workers for the customer’s oilsands operations, expected to generate approximately $20 million. The company’s Dene Aboriginal limited partnership has also secured a 131-bed, 15-month guaranteed man-day camp for a Canadian oil and gas company in northeastern British Columbia, expected to generate revenue of approximately $7 million. The Black Diamond Group will provide full turnkey services at both facilities. “We continue to see a reasonable level of industry activity in Western Canada,” said Trevor Haynes, president and CEO of Black Diamond. “These contracts illustrate both the strength of our business and our Aboriginal partnerships.”

In February, Indspire comes to Calgary. High school educators and their Grades 9-12 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students will be attending Indspire’s Soaring Indigenous youth career conference on Feb. 26, where they will get the opportunity to explore post-secondary and career options. On Feb.27, the 2015 Indspire awards will be handed out with Alberta represented by Métis Elsie Yanik, receiving the Lifetime Achievement; Métis Ron E. Scott recognized in the Arts; Ermineskin Cree Nation Chief Dr. Wilton Littlechild awarded in Law and Justice; and Gabrielle Fayant taking the Métis youth award. The awards will be hosted by Lorne Cardinal and Kyle Nobess.

The Mustard Seed’s 1010 Centre, a 224-unit affordable housing tower which opened last March on the southeast corner of 10 Avenue and Centre Street, was required to include a heated underground parkade as part of its residential development permit, despite many of its residents not requiring parking. The Mustard Seed filed a “change of use” development permit, approved by the city, enabling The Mustard Seed to lease the stalls that are not needed by the centre’s residents.