Edmonton Briefs - March 2012

Photo: Delegates to the Sustainable Building and Communities conference gathered at the River Cree Resort on Feb. 29 and March 1.

Conference addresses need for sustainability
Elders, First Nations council leaders, environmental scientists, architects, engineers, sustainability leaders, educators and students gathered for a two-day conference to discuss sustainable buildings and communities. The event was organized by the Sustainable Buildings Consortium, which was created in 1999 by Manasc Isaac Architects. Guest speakers included Grand Chief Stan Louttit, the Grand Chief of the Mushkegowuk Council, which includes Attawapiskat, Wanda Dalla Costa, Chief Clarence Louie and Donna Morton.

Memorial March remembers lost women
The annual Women’s Memorial March was held on Valentine’s Day and left from the Sacred Heart church in downtown Edmonton. The Families for Sisters in Spirit organized marches and rallies in major Canadian cities on Valentine’s Day to recognize missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. Those that march remember and honour murdered and missing women, and want to put an end to the violence that vulnerable women face on a daily basis. Hundreds took to the streets in Edmonton and thousands marched around the country in a call for respect and justice for these women.

Rupertsland Institute appoints new chair
Dr. Tracy L. Friedel was appointed the new chair of the Rupertsland Institute Board of Governors on Feb. 8, by the MNA Provincial Council and will serve a five-year term effective immediately. She assumes the position from interim chair Dr. Herb Belcourt who held the position for the past six months. Belcourt will resume his duties as the vice-chair of Rupertsland Institute. Friedel is a Métis leader with a strong academic and professional background in the areas of education, training and research. Her credentials include Doctor of Philosophy, Masters in Education, and Bachelor of Commerce degree with distinction. “The combination of education, experience and commitment to the betterment of Métis people in Alberta will make Dr. Friedel an excellent fit as the chairperson of RLI,” said MNA President Audrey Poitras, in a news release.

Spirit Keeper talks about gang violence
The first conference on youth, gangs and violence was held in Edmonton in the beginning of March, hosted by Spirit Keeper Youth Society. The one day symposium was highlighted by keynote speaker, TV journalist Hana Gartner. There was also a panel of experts who took questions from the public and the public was invited to “Speak Your Mind” in a booth that allowed for privacy while sharing their opinion. Spirit Keeper is an Aboriginal-based organization that welcomes all youth. It focuses on the needs of youth while pursuing innovative ways to help youth reach their full potential.

AFN hosts water conference
The River Cree Resort was the location of a water conference hosted by the Assembly of First Nations in early March. The three-day conference featured a special session on First Nation water rights and the technical element of delivering safe drinking water. The technical portion of the conference had a national focus and featured small and innovative water and wastewater treatment systems, decentralized water and wastewater systems, asset management, alternative servicing options, best practices and successful partnership with First Nation communities.

Loss of love examined
The Institute for Advancement of Aboriginal Women hosted a Love Conference to look at women in safe and good relationships. The conference dealt with the love stripped away by traumatic events such as family violence, addictions, and negative residential school experiences. “Professionals involved in dealing with the effects of loss of love realize the importance of this conference and are offering their insights and bringing understanding to this topic of love,” said Muriel Stanley Venne, president and founder of the IAAW, in a news release.

Compiled by Shari Narine