Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - Dec. 2, 2015

“Powerful use of iconography to tell a story,” said the jury of the work undertaken by Aaron Paquette and Sylvie Nadeau to re-envision the Grandin Murals. (Photo: Instagram)

Grandin Murals recognized for “respectful” work

December 1, 2015. The Grandin Murals were recognized with an Award of Merit in the Community category at the Edmonton Urban Design Awards. The work undertaken by lead artist Aaron Paquette, who invited Sylvie Nadeau, the original artist, to contribute to the re-envisioned artworks, was a response to the 1989 mural commissioned by Francophonie Jeunesse de l’Alberta to honour Bishop Vital Grandin. Many within the Aboriginal community felt that the mural’s imagery evoked the troubling history of the residential schools and their impact on Canadian history. Paquette and Nadeau each created two medicine drums that flank their murals and “speak” across the platform. The panels, illustrating two young men and two young women, symbolize balance and harmony, inviting conversation about, and work of, reconciliation. The jury for the awards said the reworked Grandin Murals “allowed a political dialogue to happen in a creative way” and “other projects should strive to be as respectful.” The 2015 Urban Design Awards recognized public art in Edmonton for its contributions to the city’s built culture.

December 1, 2015. The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate has released its annual report for 2014-2015 for what Advocate Del Graff says has been “one of the busiest for the office.” OCYA began work on a special report regarding the over-representation of Aboriginal children in care, which is a significant and growing concern in Alberta. The special report will make recommendations to the government, with a goal of improving the experiences that Aboriginal children and families have with the child intervention system. The OCYA’s investigative mandate expanded to review circumstances where young people have died within two years of receiving child intervention services. In 2014-2015, a total of 2,526 young people, almost 60 per cent Aboriginal, were served by individual advocacy services through screenings, information gathering, or working on advocacy issues with an advocate.

December 1, 2015. Dustin Twin has undertaken a campaign to start a youth boxing club in Swan River First Nation. Twin is a former amateur boxer/coach and is opening a boxing gym on his reserve in Kinuso. “Boxing has helped so many troubled and 'at risk' young people. I know it can make a huge impact in my community. In my community we deal with many social issues and a lot of times there are very few positive outlets or activities. Boxing will be a positive activity that the people can take part in on many different levels,” said Twin. Over the past few years, Swan River First Nation has experienced youth suicide. The community school has agreed to give the boxing club space in the gymnasium, but a wall needs to be built. Equipment, such as a ring, heavy bag stands, punching bags, gloves, and headgear, will also have to be purchased. Twin is trying to raise $25,000 to cover the costs. Twin’s Swan River boxing club fundraising campaign can be accessed on Indiegogo.

November 27, 2015. Viterra will provide two scholarships of $1,250 each over the next 10 years to First Nation, Metis and Inuit students attending Grande Prairie Regional College. Viterra, Canada’s grain industry leader, is investing $115,000 at GPRC for a variety of scholarships, which will begin to be awarded this academic year. Viterra’s donation to GPRC is part of a $900,000 overall investment in post-secondary education institutions across Canada. GPRC is one of six post-secondary institutions in Alberta to receive funding. Along with its main campuses in Grande Prairie and Fairview, GPRC also has learning centres in Edson, Grande Cache, Hinton and Jasper.