Calgary Briefs - May

Mustard Seed feeds 400 hungry at Easter

The Mustard Seed held an Easter celebration on Good Friday, which included serving over 400 meals in the evening. “It was extremely similar to the numbers we saw last year,” said Alyssa Burnham, communications specialist with the Mustard Seed. Because of the increase in demand for food hampers over Easter weekend, the Mustard Seed is in dire need of more donated food items. Since the beginning of April, the Mustard Seed has distributed more than 170 food hampers to individuals and families in need, said Burnham. Recipients include formerly homeless men and women who have moved into homes of their own and are now working to regain their independence. The Mustard Seed is a nonprofit Christian organization that works to support independence and lasting life change. Among its projects is an affordable housing initiative will provide permanent, supportive housing for Calgary’s less fortunate.

Stoney Nation youth form advisory council

At the invitation of the Tribal Council, Stoney Nation youth and young adults, who form a majority in the Stoney Nation, have established an advisory council to attend council meetings to voice their concerns. The Nation’s young people will meet regularly to discuss governance, leadership and accountability. The first meeting, held on April 5, drew 75 members of the Nation, both youth and supportive Elders.

Boys and Girls Club receives George Blondeau Aboriginal Inclusiveness award

Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary was the recipient of the George Blondeau, Aboriginal Inclusiveness award at the United Way of Calgary and Area’s Spirit of Gold Awards. These annual awards recognize agencies, companies and individuals that demonstrated distinction in leadership, spirit and excellence during the United Way’s annual campaign. The award is given to the organizations whose employees exemplify a commitment to ensuring services are open and accessible to Aboriginals and actively include Aboriginal people and culture in its programs. Through its Aboriginal program, the Boys and Girls Clubs offer a number of cultural, social, educational and recreational programs for urban Aboriginal children, youth and families.

Woman of vision

Sandra Crazybull O’Hara, who helped revise the Alberta Learning curriculum to incorporate the Aboriginal experience, has been teaching Aboriginal history in local schools and seminars. Since 2005 when the social studies curriculum changed, Crazybull O’Hara has been teaching Blackfoot customs, traditions and ceremony. She has been recognized for teaching Aboriginal youth about their heritage, and non-Aboriginal youth have also been very responsive. Students receive a well-rounded education which includes the Aboriginal perspective of historical events. Crazybull O’Hara told the Calgary Herald, “When I came to Calgary, I saw all the hardships towards Aboriginal people and I wanted to turn that into something positive.” She is working toward an education degree and hopes to open a tourist destination to showcase Aboriginal culture.

Aboriginal small businesses poised for growth

A new study by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business found that 70 per cent of Aboriginal small business owners in a survey of 1,000 are optimistic about revenue growth. Janice Larocque, owner of Spirit Staffing & Consulting Inc., is also confident her placement business will continue to grow. Larocque recently received the 2011 Aboriginal Women Entrepreneur Award from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. “We’re recognized as a leader in promoting diversity and we’ve been approached by many companies to see if there is potential to help them diversify their workplace.” About 35 per cent of workers she helps place are Aboriginal.

Field Law’s Métis and First Nations Youth Art Competition

Field Law, a regional law firm with offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Yellowknife, has announced the opening of its Métis and First Nations Youth Art Competition. In support of the United Nations Year of Youth and the Alberta and Northwest Territories MÈtis and First Nation communities, the competition was created by Field Law’s Indian Residential School Claims Group. The group works to compensate individuals who suffered physical or psychological harm while attending residential school. Métis and First Nations students aged 12-18, resident in Alberta or NWT, are encouraged to submit a work of art. Deadline is Aug. 31. The grand prize is $500 cash and the winning art will be published in one of Field Law’s 2011 holiday cards. The second place prize is $250 and third place is $100. Entry forms, rules and updates on incoming entries are available at: www.fieldlaw.com/blogs/artcontest

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko