Edmonton News Briefs - November 2014

Drummers perform at celebration

Drummers from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation helped mark Treaty 6 Recognition Day held in Edmonton in late September. The event allowed the city to further strengthen its renewed relationship with the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations.

Job fair provides opportunity for Treaty 6 members

The largest job fair in Alberta organized by First Nations for First Nations took place Oct. 28-29. The event was hosted by Treaty Six Aboriginal Skills, Employment and Training Strategy agreement holders and partners. It provided an opportunity for First Nations members to travel to Edmonton to meet with business, industry and educational institutions to explore career, employment and educational opportunities. “First Nations ASETS offices work diligently and collectively to develop effective partnerships that address the demand driven needs of the labour market. This event is another opportunity for business and industry to explore the development of meaningful employment and industry partnerships with First Nations within our territory,” said Charlene Bruno, executive director of Six Independent Alberta First Nations Society (Maskwacis) and event spokesperson. Exhibitors included government, business, industry and post-secondary institutions. These potential employers and partners were exposed to a young First Nations workforce that is skilled, trained, and ready to work. In addition, Aboriginal exhibitors from the Treaty Six area were on hand showcasing their products and services. The Treaty Six ASETS steering committee is comprised of the Six Independent Alberta First Nations Society of Maskwacis, Yellowhead Tribal Development Foundation, Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association and urban ASETS agreement holder, Oteenow Employment and Training Society. The ASETS boards and committees are comprised of First Nations leadership and professionals, representing 17 Treaty Six (Alberta) First Nations.

Residential school material highlights LitFest

Author Mark Abley ‘s book Conversations With A Dead Man was featured at Edmonton LitFest on Oct. 18.  The book imagines Abley confronting the ghost of infamous Canadian politician and poet, Duncan Campbell Scott, who is known as the father of Canada’s residential school system. In the course of writing the book, Abley found he was not just discussing the sins of a single individual but exploring the troubled roots on which Canada was built. A creative performance in response to the book from Edmonton’s Aboriginal community followed the book presentation, along with an audience question and answer session with the author and artists. The event was hosted by Edmonton’s former poet Laureate Anna Marie Sewell. LitFest is the only nonfiction festival in Canada. 

Vital Signs looks at Edmonton way of life

Edmonton Community Foundation’s Vital Signs undertaking indicates that Metro Edmonton’s Aboriginal population is 5.4 per cent (second to Winnipeg). The Aboriginal median age is 26.3 compared to Edmonton’s overall median age of 36.  The community check-up also found that 81 per cent of students completed high school, however numbers are significantly lower for the Aboriginal population. For the 2012-13 school year, the three-year high school completion rate for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students for Edmonton Public Schools was 30.3 per cent, compared to 26.2 per cent three years earlier. The three-year high school completion rate for Edmonton Catholic Schools was 48.8 per cent compared to 29.8 per cent three years earlier. Figures also indicated that while children under 18 years of age are more likely to live in poverty than adults, Edmonton’s child poverty rate has decreased from 20.8 per cent in 2000 to 15.5 per cent in 2012. Forty-three per cent of Edmontonians agree food security is a significant problem in the city. Edmonton’s Food Bank served food hampers to 40,647 different people from April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, including 6,296 individuals between the ages of 15 to 24 years. On the bright side, the study found that 67 per cent of Edmontonians felt their quality of life was good or excellent. Vital Signs is a community check-up conducted by community foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of the communities, identifies significant trends, and supports action on issues that are critical to the quality of life. 

Fundraising for Little Warriors

This year, the University of Alberta Medical Students Association raised money for Little Warriors, a charitable organization with a national focus that educates adults about how to help prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The student-led fundraiser is into its seventh year. “Little Warriors was selected not only for the work they do with children but also for their work with the educational initiatives and their impact on the entire community,” said student organizer Qassim Mian. Funds raised will go towards the Be Brave Ranch, a treatment centre focused on helping children who have been sexually abused, as well as their families. The gala event took place Nov. 1 at the Shaw Conference Centre.