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Calgary Briefs - December

Article Origin

Author

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko

Volume

19

Issue

1

Year

2011

Photo Caption: Yvonne Jobin of Moonstone Creation Native Gallery and Gift Shop offers classes in traditional beading, ceremonial drumming and medicine wheel teachings.


Artist teaches traditional design, spiritualism

Yvonne Jobin, traditional artist, designer and spiritualist of Cree First Nations offers a variety of classes in traditional beadwork, moccasin-making, medicine wheel teachings, ceremonial drums and porcupine quillwork at her gallery in Inglewood. She teaches traditional beadwork techniques of applique, floral or geometric, lazy stitch, loom or peyote. Based on the ancient teachings of First Nations people, her medicine wheel teachings include learning to balance mental, spiritual, physical and emotional being, and connecting to your spirit guides/power animal. Oral teachings passed down through the generations form the basis for empowerment, balance and grounding. Ceremonial drum classes help participants tune into their inner voices and the vibration of Mother Earth. Jobin provides an opportunity to learn the almost obsolete ancient art of porcupine quillwork.


ACFN sues Shell Canada for development in tar sands

The corporate headquarters of Shell Canada in downtown Calgary was the site of a rally initiated by Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and supporters as the ACFN served Shell executives with papers with intent to sue for failure to meet contractual agreements made between Shell and the ACFN regarding existing tar sands projects within ACFN traditional territory and Canada’s Athabasca, a UNESCO heritage site. “We’re drawing the line, and taking a strong stand against Shell. ACFN wants no further developments until Shell is brought to justice and our broader concerns about the cumulative impacts in the region are addressed,” said Adam in a news release. ACFN also plans to oppose all future tar sands projects by Shell.


Bragg Creek veterinarian recognized

Dr. Judith Samson-French, a Bragg Creek veterinarian, received an award in the Product or Service Innovation category for Urban Animal Strategies for her work with First Nations dogs. The International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies hands out the awards as a way to encourage healthy, sustainable communities for people and their pets. Participants implement state-of-the-art urban animal strategies in their communities. Samson-French developed a contraceptive implant for feral dogs on two Alberta reserves to limit the dog population. She has just implanted her 100th dog. A veterinarian at the Banded Peak Veterinary Hospital, Samson-French worked on her contraception project with the University of Calgary and the Animal Rescue Foundation.


Eagle Law Group launches scholarships
Eagle Law Group, a First Nations-owned firm located at the Tsuu T’ina First Nations, has initiated a new scholarship fund for First Nations students.  The team is comprised primarily of First Nation senior lawyers who each have over 13 years of experience addressing First Nations issues. “We acknowledge as professionals we have a responsibility to give back to the public through community service. We actively sponsor community events and now have added this new scholarship fund to the activities that Eagle Law values and supports for First Nations people,” said Grace Auger (Bigstone Cree Nation) associate at Eagle Law Group. Applications will be accepted from students enrolled in post-secondary in their chosen field until Dec. 31, 2011.


MNA and Mount Royal establish endowment fund
The Métis Nation of Alberta has partnered with Mount Royal University to establish a $500,000 endowment to support Métis students studying at the Calgary institution. The endowment is similar to eight other endowments that the MNA has set up with other post-secondary institutions across Alberta. “The most exciting aspect of this endowment is that it will exist in perpetuity for generations to come and that every year all interest earned by the fund will go to support Métis students at Mount Royal University,” Lorne Gladu, CEO of the Rupertsland Institute, said in a news release.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko