Native awareness powwow held

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Scholarship fund named after Goodstriker

A University of Lethbridge Blood Indian graduate, Joyce Goodstriker, had the establishment of a scholarship fund named after her, at the Native Awareness Powwow held here, March 28.

The powwow was held in recognition of past U of L Native graduates who were given certificates of merit for their academic achievements by NASA ? the Native American Students' Association at the U of L.

About 80 Native students have graduated from the U of La since 1972, with undergraduate degrees ranging from education to political science. Native students who completed the Native management certificate program were also honoured.

Goodstriker graduated in 1972 from the U of L with a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in physical education. She also received a professional diploma in curriculum education. She went on to graduate school at the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana to obtain her master's degree in secondary school administration with a minor in Native American education.

After graduating, she taught at ST. Mary's High School on the Blood Reserve and served as vice-principal at the Standoff Elementary School. She also served as education chairman for the Blood Tribal Council during the last two years and is now doing education research on the Blood Reserve.

In an interview, Goodstriker said the scholarship which amounted to $300 will be awarded to a Blood female student studying physical education who demonstrates academic excellence.

She said, "The main reason shy I established the scholarship is that we need more trained Blood female physical education teachers. The Blood reserve is suffering because we don't have any Bloods specialized in this area.

"There are too many students (Natives) coming out of university with social studies majors. We need to improve the instruction in physical education. I've been the only one so far with a physical education degree. We need more," said Goodstriker.

She added there needs to be more Native teachers majoring in the hard sciences. The scholarship will be for a five-year period starting in the next fall semester at the U of L.

Another surprise was when, Helen Manyfingers, also a past U of L education graduate, donated $100 to NASA for next year's powwow.

Addressing about 1,000 people at the powwow, Many Fingers said she was touched by NASA's gesture in recognizing past graduates which is the first time it has been done.

"I want to thank the Native students at the U of L for your thoughtfulness and kindness. You must of put a lot of work into this," said Many Fingers. She encouraged present Native students in their studies as final examinations are in two weeks.

Many Fingers, returned to university when she was in her 40's and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1978. She is now an education counsellor with the Department of Indian Affairs in Lethbridge. Four of her children followed in their mother's footsteps by obtaining undergraduate degrees. Many Finger's oldest daughter, Doreen Rabbit, received her Master's of Education degree last spring in Toronto.

The U of L Awareness powwow culminated a number of activities held at the campus from March 26-28. Activities included a fashion show of traditional Native dress by Pauline Dempsey of Calgary and the showing of the "Peigan in Transition", which recently won first runner-up honors in the Alberta Motion Picture Association awards.

Attendance was down at this year's powwow because it was not a competition powwow but rather a social powwow. Peter Strikes with a Gun of the Peigan Nation was the master of ceremonies and six drum groups were present to entertain the crowds.