Edmonton News Briefs - July 2013

Garett Ross and Michaela Washburn in the Canadian premiere of Albee’s “At Home At the Zoo,” which was one of the productions during the 5th annual Rubaboo Arts Festival.

Rubaboo Festival showcases Aboriginal art
Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts hosted its 5th annual Rubaboo Arts Festival from June 4-16. Rubaboo, which means “stew,” provided a wide variety of work from plays to films to dancing to literature to music. Taking place in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona area, this year’s festival included the premier of writer Richard Van Camp’s novel-turned-movie, “Lesser Blessed,” and workshops by World Champion Hoop Dancer Arik Pipestem. Co-founder Ryan Cunningham says organizers are considering moving the event to fall next year.

Possible expansion of social enterprise
Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel recently helped launch the expansion of Downtown Proud!, a partnership between Boyle Street Community Services and the Downtown Business Association, with the support of a number of businesses and other agencies. The social enterprise, which began operating in February 2010, employs formerly homeless people. Workers spend three hours each weekday cleaning up the downtown core. During 2012, Downtown Proud! collected 144,000 litres of garbage. The city has agreed to provide $50,000 towards the increased costs along as the business community commits to raising $58,000.  If that occurs, Downtown Proud! workers can move to full time. Presently, Downtown Proud! has secured the support of 14 sponsors for a total of $95,000 to allow operations to continue for the rest of the year under the three-hour-a-day schedule. Ten new partners committing $6,000 each would cover the cost of the expanded operation.

Wicihitowin Society faces financial issues
The Edmonton Journal reports that the city auditor has concerns with the Wicihitowin Society, which was established in 2009. Auditor David Wiun says the society doesn’t comply with Alberta’s Societies Act in such areas as holding an annual general meeting, keeping a registered membership list, and filing an annual return. Wicihitowin has run a deficit every year since it started which now totals $115,000, even as its revenues more than doubled. Under a plan approved in 2012, the city is providing $500,000 annually for five years toward Wicihitowin’s budget, which in 2012-13 spent $874,000, including a $56,000 deficit. Society president Robb Campre said unexpected costs accrued when the society received a bill for $20,000 from Canada Revenue Agency after paying tax-free salaries to some First Nations employees, as well as unsuccessful fundraising and accounting issues related to the calculation of expenses and government revenues. Wiun’s report says the board has agreed to his recommendation to improve its financial management by next spring.

Writing contest finalists
Three of The Historica-Dominion Institute’s Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts top 10 writing finalists are from Edmonton. Shannon Lepine placed 5th in the senior category for Ruts in the Prairie. The 25-year-old’s poem reflects an attempt to reconnect with her heritage and to uncover her Métis ancestry. Annalissa Pasap, 17, and Kristen McArthur, 22, placed 6th in junior and senior age categories, respectively. Pasap, from the Whitebear First Nations, wrote The Hole, a tragic poem based on her mother’s experience in a residential school and the lasting effects felt by her family. McArthur’s story, A History Lesson, takes aims at the Canadian education system. “I wrote this story because greater comprehension surrounding the history of Canada’s Indigenous peoples and Europeans, is a determinant factor in providing long-term solutions to racism, discrimination (and) issues surrounding identity, culture, and inclusion for Aboriginal populations,” said McArthur. The contest invites Aboriginal youth to interpret an aspect of their culture and heritage through literary and visual arts for a chance to win prizes and national recognition. More than 315 submissions were juried by an esteemed panel of writers and artists, including Joseph Boyden, Lee Maracle, John Kim Bell, Kent Monkman and Drew Hayden Taylor.