Calgary News Briefs - July 2014

Jamie Medicine Crane of Young Medicine duo performs a traditional dance at Opening Ceremonies of Calgary’s Aboriginal Awareness week.

City commemorates flood of 2013

On June 20, the City of Calgary commemorated last year’s flood with a blessing from Elder Leonard Basteen of the Piikani Nation, unveiling the 2013 Flood Commemorative display. There was a video tribute from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as well as remarks from Premier Dave Hancock, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, and Dave Burrell, director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency and Calgary Fire Chief. The event recalled the impact of the floods on Calgarians, honouring the community’s response and resiliency. The display, unveiled by Nenshi, included a plaque and pair of bronzed boots that will be housed permanently in the Municipal Building’s atrium. “Our city and citizens experienced a devastating flood that we will never forget,” said Nenshi. “We come together today to remember how the flood affected us in both tangible and intangible ways. But, more important, we recall the incredible resilience and community spirit shown by all Calgarians this time last year. With the help of the entire community and all orders of governments, we were, and continue to be, stronger than ever.”

Indspire, a national Aboriginal education charity, launched its Building Brighter Futures Campaign to raise $20 million for bursaries and scholarships for post-secondary Aboriginal students across Canada on May 27 at Bow Valley College. Donations from corporate, provincial and private partners up to $10 million will be matched by the federal government. Indspire has already reached its half-way point in the campaign. The Alberta government will contribute $400,000. According to Statistics Canada, only 10 per cent of Indigenous students graduate from university, compared with 27 per cent of non-Indigenous students. Indspire says that a lack of financial support is the main barrier. In a news release, Suncor Energy President and CEO Steve Williams said, “Supporting the education goals of the next generation is also a strategic investment in a workforce that will allow Canada to continue competing globally.” Since its establishment in 1985, Indspire has distributed over $65 million through more than 20,000 scholarships and bursaries. Outside the federal government, Indspire is the largest funder of Indigenous education.

Alberta Transportation anticipates starting construction of the southwest ring road within the next two years with expectations that the main route through the Tsuu T’ina Nation will open by 2020. Project leaders say the enormous undertaking will face major challenges building through environmentally sensitive areas like the Paskapoo Slopes and Weaselhead. The project, which includes 31 km of new road, 20 interchanges and 66 bridge crossings, will be coordinated in two phases. The south leg through Tsuu T’ina, which involves land transfers with the federal government, is expected to begin in 2016. The west leg, running from Highway 1 through Paskapoo to east of 101 Street with a new interchange at Sarcee and Glenmore Trail, will begin shortly after. Both legs are expected to open at the same time. When completed, the new ring road will provide over 100 km of free-flow freeway, helping to reduce traffic congestion.

AltaGas Ltd. Chair and CEO David Cornhill presented a $500,000 cheque to the Indian Business Coporation at an announcement at the Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Resource Centre at SAIT Polytechnic. The agreement enables the IBC, an Aboriginal financial institution, to create a source of capital to help First Nations entrepreneurs grow businesses. The interest-free loan to IBC will be paid over the next five years. Typically IBC is funded by Aboriginal Business Canada, but demand for lending services exceeds its capital. “AltaGas’ investment in Indian Business Coporation means more First Nations entrepreneurs will get financing to start of grow their businesses,” said Rob Rollingson, IBC general manager.

The Calgary Police Rodeo Association recognized the efforts of the Missing Children Society of Canada with a cheque for over $10,000 from the proceeds of its 2013 rodeo in support of the MCSC CodeSearch program. On hand for the presentation June 18 were representatives from MCSC, Christy Hall, VP marketing; 2014 Gold Sponsor of the rodeo The Concorde Group; and, Detective Mike Cavilla, president of the Calgary Police Rodeo Association. The 32nd annual Calgary Police Rodeo will be held on Aug. 16. MCSC has been helping missing children and their families for 28 years.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko