Calgary Briefs - September

Dancers of all ages and dressed in bright regalia helped make the celebration at Bar U Ranch a success.

Photo: Parks Canada, Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

Bar U Ranch salutes First Nations

On Aug. 28 over 300 visitors participated in a day of activities that explored the impact of ranching on the lives of First Nations. Master of Ceremony Rex Daniels from the Bearspaw band at Eden Valley talked about life prior to the establishment of ranching. Local rancher Barbara Gardener also talked about the impact of First Nations on the business of ranching and family relations. Established in 1900, the Bar U was a corporate ranch until 1950 and has always maintained its connection to First Nations. Members of the Bearspaw band in traditional costumes told stories and celebrated with singing, dancing and drumming. Guests were invited to participate in the rabbit dance, the owl dance and the always popular round dance.

Key issues resolved in ring road talks

Premier Ed Stelmach says the TsuuT’ina First Nation and the province have come much closer to an agreement on the southwest ring road deal. Talks with Chief Sandford Big Plume have been going smoothly on an agreement Stelmach would like to see finalized before he steps down on Oct. 1. When negotiations reopened, TsuuT’ina wanted clarification of definitions in the contract and a guarantee on the proposed land swap. Further details of the negotiations have been kept underwraps. Stelmach has acknowledged that the ring road running through the reservation is the best of five other options explored by Alberta Transportation.

Eco-House enroute to National Mall, Washington

The University of Calgary has now completed the construction of its entry in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011 competition. The safe durable net-zero solar powered home that addresses Aboriginal housing issues is the sole Canadian entry in this year’s competition.  Working with Treaty 7 First Nations from southern Alberta, the team hosted a send-off ceremony on Aug. 17 to officially bless the house for its trip to Washington, D.C. The house called Cenovus-TRTL: Technological Residence Traditional Living, pronounced turtle, will be on display at the National Mall from September 23-October 2. The Solar Decathlon, held every two years, showcases clean-energy solutions.  TRTL is the University of Calgary’s second entry in the Solar Decathlon.

Art of War on Display

Evidence, by Regina artist David Garneau, an autopsy portrait of Neal Stonechild, the 17-year-old Aboriginal boy taken to the outskirts of Saskatoon in November 1990 where he was left to freeze to death is one of a number of pieces displayed through Diabolique. The multimedia exhibition created by 22 artists from around the world, is on display at the Military Museums Founders’ Gallery until Nov. 13. The show originated at Regina’s Dunlop Art Gallery and was conceived of by Amanda Cachia, former director/curator. The travelling exhibition depicts how the disasters of war are part of the violence seen daily in the media. The idea, Cachia said, emerged from a previous show about feminism and female sexuality, titled Pandora’s Box. “One of the themes that came out of that exhibition was violence toward women,” Cachia says. “So I thought it would be interesting to organize an exhibition that was mainly focused on violence. And not just the international violence of war, but violence that was happening in our own backyard, including the violence in Canada, to start with.” Diabolique portrays the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Boys and Girls Clubs Warrior Path Program

Although he grew up disconnected from his cultural heritage, 18 year-old Grant Kishayineu, found a path to discover his identity. “For the first time, I felt proud to be Aboriginal,” he said. He joined the Warrior Path program, coming together weekly with 14 other participants to learn the traditional teachings of the Elders. “We have a whole nation of up-and-coming Aboriginal youth that don’t know who they are, let alone any traditions or ceremonies,” said Walter MacDonal White Bear, Aboriginal services co-ordinator for the Warrior Path program.  In the program Kishayineu learned Aboriginal history, camped in nature, slept in a teepee and experienced for the first time a smudging ceremony. “The smudge ceremony was the highlight of my experience,” Kishayineu told the Calgary Herald. “I really felt a deep connection to my culture.”

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko