Edmonton News Briefs - July 2014

Heart of the City celebrations

Spirit Woman Singers performed at the Heart of the City in Giovanni Caboto Park on June 8. A traditional vocal and drum group, Spirit Woman Singers are committed to walking a spiritual path and singing for healing, inner peace, and inspiration. Heart of the City is an annual music and arts festival that takes place the first weekend in June and celebrates the talent of Edmonton’s inner city.

Bissell Centre and Mayfield Toyota combined forces for a one-day underwear drive event on June 21, urging the public to donate new underwear for the homeless in Edmonton. Underwear is one of the most asked for clothing items by those who are homeless, but one of the least donated. The goal of 1,000 pairs of new underwear was set. “It would allow us to provide approximately 20 fresh pairs to people in need every day throughout the summer,” said Barb Nickel, in-kind donations coordinator at Bissell Centre. A new pair of underwear not only promotes health and hygiene, but also boosts self-esteem and self-confidence, which are critical when transitioning out of homelessness.  “Just imagine going days… weeks… months without a fresh, clean pair of underwear. This is the case for many of the 2,000 or more people that are homeless in Edmonton,” said Nickel. Bissell Centre has served Edmonton’s inner-city community since 1910, particularly low-income families, individuals, and children living in poverty.

The feature pyramid at the Muttart Conservatory will house the First Nations: Stories of Creation until Aug. 17. The exhibit opened on June 21, National Aboriginal Day. The display was inspired by the storytelling tradition that is part of the collective heritage of the First Nations of Canada and aims to share important stories of Canadian heritage and First Nations peoples. This captivating pyramid is rich with colour from summer annuals and includes local grasses that bring the wild prairie inside. The feature pyramid will house five to seven different exhibits each year.

The New York-based Thinc Design is saying it has been dropped by the province as exhibit designer for the new Royal Alberta Museum because of its focus on Canada’s oppressive history with its Indigenous peoples. According to a recent report in the Edmonton Sun, Tom Hennes, founder of Thinc, said RAM curators “felt we were focusing too much on the difficult history,” which included residential schools, desecration of the buffalo, and the changes First Nations people had to make to fit into the dominant society. RAM Executive Director Chris Robinson would not say why Thinc was let go but did say the foundation laid by Thinc will be used as the museum moves ahead. Thinc is saying the government owes $400,000 for the design work the province still plans to use.

Native Counselling Services of Alberta premiered its 37-minute documentary Home Fire last month. The film, a result of a two-year research project by NCSA department BearPaw Research, explores family violence and restorative justice from an Aboriginal perspective. Featuring animation from award-winning illustrators Pulp Studios and motion graphics from Rat Creek Design, Home Fire is a contemporary look at the relationship between intergenerational trauma and family violence. The film also includes commentary from Elders, community leaders and members of the western justice system. NCSA will be distributing the film nationally, along with a 12-page discussion guide, to Aboriginal communities, health centres, police departments and legal professionals.

Compiled by Shari Narine