Stan Daniels Centre first Aboriginal Awareness Day a success

Page 13

It's been eleven long years since Native Counseling Services took over the Grierson Centre, but Edmonton's Stan Daniels Healing Centre now hosts an Aboriginal Awareness Day. More than 200 people turned up at the centre on June 23, to celebrate the first annual Awareness Day.

A special feature of the evening was the recognition given to the late George Kehewin who, for many years, served as the centre Elder during its earlier days when it was called Grierson Centre. The gymnasium on the second level of Building 2 was named the George Kehewin Ceremonial Room. It will be used for social, and ceremonial purposes as well as a gym.

An initiative largely conceived and effected by acting director Robert Davies and Henry Houle, those who were in attendance billed Awareness Day as a long overdue activity.

Following an opening prayer by Elder Frank LaRose, were a few presentations including large, framed pictures of the late George Kehewin and the late political leader, Stan Daniels. The picture of Kehewin was presented by his surviving wife, Julia, while the picture of Daniels was offered as a gift by his wife, Christine Daniels.

Some of the other gifts presented was a large stone carving of a bear that was given by Randy Sloan from Native Counseling Services, and a blanket containing a 4 directions design from the National Parole Board, that was presented by Robert Davies. The carving, said Davies, will serve as an altar piece in the ceremonial room.

Vicky Whalen from NCS paid a special tribute to George Kehewin whom she said she first met in 1990. He helped many inmates go through their pain, said Whalen.

"He was kind, soft, gentle . . . like a light bulb - glowing, shining," she said.

He would offer encouragement and always said to never forget the basic teachings, such as praying to the Creator and burning sweetgrass, said. Whalen. She looked upon George as a psychologist, even though he didn't have a degree.

The strength, goodness and impact left on the Native community by others, like the late Stan Daniels was aptly addressed by his wife of 33 years, Christine Daniels and their daughter, Joanne.

His widow explained that the centre was initially named after her husband because he was the first to provide the much needed funding for it. More importantly, she stated, this dynamic individual opened a lot of doors that helped both Metis and Indian people since 1966 when he and Johnny Samson hitch-hiked to Ottawa with two pounds of stinking sausage to protest the high cost of meat in northern Alberta communities such as Fox Lake.

Along with Harold Cardinal and the late Eugene Steinhauer, Daniels remembered how they worked together to accomplish the many things needed to start organizations. That made people aware of what was happening around them and how they could overcome barriers in such areas as poverty, unemployment and education, said Daniels.

It's important for people to know this history because Native people have contributed a lot and aren't known for their contributions, she said.

There is enough in this country for everyone's needs but not enough for everyone's greeds, said his daughter Joanne quoting one of Daniels favourite sayings.

He was a real fighter who did whatever it took to help Native people and causes, she said. A man who cared, he started up all kinds of programs - student awards, dollars for Native Counseling Services, hot lunch programs for schools and more.

Overall, the evening proved to be an education for a good number of people. It was an education though, as expressed by Christine, that needs a place in schools so Native and Canadian children can become aware of Native people's contributions to this country.